The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-05-22

Howe.
Third DiStrict.-E. b. Williams, j. A
Tourt1 District.--J.W Mills. A. S. Baugh
Martin.
SiHA District.-Frank Valiant, 4. G.
Walcott
THE PLANTERS CONVENTION AT
vIcKsBURG.
Promptly at twelve o'clock Tuesday, un
der the enlIvening strains of the Vicks-
burg band, the planters moved in process
sion from their rooms on China Street to
the Southern Concert Garden. There was
Il goodIy attendance mainly from the bot
ton country of the States of Mississippi
and Louisiana, though the eastern portion
of this State was well represented and
there were delegates from the States of
Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama.
President Frank C. Morehead called the
Convention to order and proceeded to read
an elaborate and carefully prepared address,
Astounding in well-considered and practi-
cal suggestions for the Agricultural class.
| 1t IGlcIIGu W luC labOl stAAhSo VI uhS
North and the negro exodus of the South
as showing large current Of discomfort
among the laboring masses, the latter
movement calling out the Commercial Con-
yention which assembled in Nicksburg
last year. This Convention however, ac-
cording to the speaker, assumed political
coloring, the worst political tricksters
and scamps undertaking to shape it's
course, there were necessarily fears and
misgivings as to Its results. The present
Association has no creed nor politics it is
purely business. The bane of politics is
entirely removed from all of its workings.
Questions must be discussed on business
principles Farming should be scientific.
Cotton should be surplus product 1t
was the object of the Association to en-
courage Improvement in implements Of
husbandry and in livestock and provide
practical plans of immigration. He showed
what the Association had done to carry out
these objects.
He took occasion towards the close of
his address to speak of the Planters Jour-
nal, a large and handsome publication re-
Gently commenced in Vicksburg and con-
Quoted by himself. The paper, he said, had
been success from the start and was now
making money.
The man who makes his own meat and
bread, argued the speaker, would be the
first get rich.
The use of fertilizers and improved i'm
plements will give us better bank accounts
during our lives, and leave to our children
better lands.
The President noted the fact that Oh his
plantation in Washington County his father
used to make eight hundred pounds lint
cotton per acre. Now three hundred
pounds was large average for him. This
of our land, he was sorry to
say, was somewhat general in the Missis-
sippi Valley. 1t was alarming to contem-
plate and called loudly for the introduction
of remedy for this exhaustive strain on
the soil.
In Japan all the lands have been in culti
walton for one thousand years and they are
far richer to-day than when first opened to
cultivation. ,
The cotton seed question was a grave {
me. In the first place, planters should not
ell their seed but restore them to their 7
ands. Secondly, if they do sell their seed I
hey should demand a better price for '
hem. The Cotton seed Oil Mills were de-
aring dividends from one hundred and !
wenty to one hundred and thirty-fve per
emit, yet the price of seed does not advance
While the land is being robbed of its just
nd natural nutrimcnt. He asserted the
act that the Oil Mills of New Orleans, I
iemphis, Jackson, Meridian and st. Louis Il
ave their territories mapped off for cotton a
eed and have entered into sort of conspir- O
cy or monopoly to keep down the price of n
eed. This monopoly planters by concert "
action could break up, so that if they r
lust sell their seed they could get some
hing for them. Planters must meet CO. Y
peration with cooperation.
The culture" iniquity should be frowned =
own upon by all planters, for it never
ilcd to prove ruinOus business to them. q
lie took occasion to give the last Missis- c.
| l.
IcOriation. Its action he insisted was W
and incXcusable, and set the Il
ate back probably for ten years, While n
e had thirty millions of land only four
illions were in cultivation, and the Missis- Vi
ppi Legislature were determined to offer u
} inducements for men to come here and
Iltivate our wild lands. in
A ftar tho Of Al. !
dress a Committee on Resolutions was ID
pointed and the Convention proceeded n,
the election of new members. :,
Addresses were made by various gentle
en-. Judge Simrall made very sensible ~
X which was well received. Mr. Soule W
hibited his champion Cotton-Press on 81
e stage. Mr.. Lamar FOntaine was in G.
,duced and explained his plans for restor- in
: the channel Of the Mississippi back to nc
eksburg. His explanation was very 70
ar and satisfactory to all who heard him. :.
: remarks on the occasion are printed "
cwhere in THE COMET of to-day and an
. be read with interest. 70
,ol. Harper Of Alabama made a speech in ac
ich he refuted the charge that the Plan to
> Association was hostile to the Grange on
lie was there as delegate m,
IN his Grange and he felt like he was in ola
Grange meeting. The objects Of the
DciatiOn according to his view were n
dable in every sense of the word. lie
ieved in the active and jealous cooper oIu
m Of all the industrial agencies and Oh
Ociations Of the country, and with all erl
Sc it will take us fifty years to get back sid