The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-27
THE JACKSON CONVENTION
RESOLUTIONS AGAINST DEAL,
INGS IN FUTURES.
The Necessity for Diversified Crops
The Butter Awards-Last
Days Proceedings.
lsrEciAL 10 rRE APPRAL.l

JACKSON, IENN., February 10
This. the third and last day of the In
terstate Convention, has been quite
interesting. The weather is delight.
ful, and our Northern visitors seem to
be charmed with the generous hospi-
tality of our citizens. The principal
topics of discussion to-day were the
horse and the COW. These subjects
were discussed in all their various
lights and details from a Southern and
Northern standpoint. The sessions Of
the convention have been interspersed
throughout with choice instrumental
and vocal music.
IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
The following very important reso-
lutions were adopted with almost
unanimity ana without debate, being
amended SO az to embrace hog pro-
ducts and breldstuffs as well as cotton:
The manipulation by spectators of
the cotton crop of 1856, which so
depressed prizes that they have fallen
below the adual cost of production,
forces upon the planters of the South
the necessity OF relieving themselves
as far as in heir power lies from the
influence ofso ruinous a system as
that which Iow controls the chief ex-
portable pr,duct of the country, and
with this eId in view we, the repre-
sentatives OF the agricultural interests
OF Tennessee in convention assembled,
call upon orr brother planters of all
the Southern States, to protect them
selves by United action.
Emboldeled by past successes, the
speeulator mas already fixed a stand
ard price br the cotton crop of 1856
81. This lie has done before the seed
has been Iut in the ground or even
the plows have been started. Cotton
futures fo' the months Of October,
November and December, 1886, and
January, 1887, are to-day quoted in
New York at from $50 to S.75c, ac- |
cording to the month. This means not |
exceeding S3c for middling cotton in
New York, or S!c at the principal cot
ton shipping points of the South, in
Guiding such cities as New Orleans,
Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, Au-
gusta, Galveston and Memphis. Mid
ding cotton at these cities selling for
SIC means not more than 7lc to the
planter, who must pay freight, insur-
ance and regular commission charges,
which generally average from 3 to lc
per pound. Now, in view of these
conditions, so ruinous of our interests,
we appeal to the intelligence of the
cotton grower, and ask him can he pay
the expense OF farmingand make even
a bare living by selling cotton at Tic
per pound? The answer is already
given in the negative, The next
question following upon this is, ,"What
is the remedy" We answer, divers
ified crops" Plant one-third less cot
ton, and more grain and grass
es. Raise hogs and hominy.
Let cotton henceforth be a surplus
crop, Instead of producing 6,506OOO
bales, make only 4,500,000 bales. By
this means we may realize a living
price for our labor and at the same
time live Independently of the specu-
lating sharks who profit by our losses.
In addition to this the Legislatures of
each. of the Southern States should be |
petitioned to make dealings for future
delivery, unless the cotton is actually
in hand to sell and is actually deliv-
cred at the time of delivery TO the
contracting purchaser, felony, pun
lshable by fine and Imprisonment, not
less than $1,000 and two years in the
The time is now propi-
tious for united action, and we appeal
to the press of the South to aid us in
our efforts by giving every publicity
to this protest and appeal, which we
Ieel cannot but result benefcially to
-he planter if promptly acted upon
md lived up to honestly.
BUTTER AWARDS.
The awards on the butter exhibits
we're announced this evening, as fol-
ows: Best pound of Tennessee cream
'ry, Nashville, Tenn, SIS; best dairy
lutter, per pound, to Mr.. Foster Of
Wisconsin, tl0 second best butter,
yer pound, Mrs. Moss, IS.
THE ATTENDANCE.
Notwithstanding the number of Wis
tors to the convention is not quite so
arge as was anticipated, it is credit
bile, and much good, it is thought, on
he whole, will result. The most no.
iceable feature about the whole pro-
eedings is the small attendance by
'ur local farmers. There is but very
ew who have attended or taken an
interest in the convention. Quite a
lumber Of men are here who never
listed the South before, and who ex-
ress themselves satisfied with the
Meeting, which has been the means of
hOwing them the cordial sentiment
xisting in the South toward the
lorth, and that the South extends the
ight hand of good fellowship to all
ood citizens throughout the union.
Wig Inllnh nal Of lnnn4 hnn AZ ~.