The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-10-01
REPORT OF STATE LECTURER.
LONGS, N. c., Sept 18, 1889.
COL L. L. P3lE Secy f. S. a., IN. c..

ALUtCtyH, " u.
Ny DEAR SIR AND BRorHLR:-I con-
slider 1t a duty | owe to the offers and
other members of the Farmers State
Alliance of North Carolina, and especially
the delegates that were assembled 10 con-
ventlon at our annual meeting at Fayette-
vile, N. c., last month, to inform them
what | have been doing in my depart
ment as State Lecturer. In the first
place will say, owing t. being very I'M
well on the last day of our meeting, I did
not have the pleasure of being present, so
l could thank the delegates for the very
high honor they had conferred on me, by
electlng me to Undoubtedly the most
responsible position in the Alliance. I.
however, knew the responsibility at
tached to 1t before my name was placed
in nomination, and had I not felt that I
could go into the work with all nv heart.
soul, body, strength and mind, and give
to the noble cause my entire time and
what little talent my Master had given
me, l would not on that occasion signifed
my willingness to take up the flag. and
attempt to carry it triumphantly through
the State.
Do not for a moment think that this
course carries with it any sacrifice on my
part, on the contrary it is a labor of love,
so ~eleVating and noble in all it's bearin %
that to use it is a pround and gratifying
pleasure on my part, to attempt to fill the
place assigned me on thai occasion. To
be associated Gas by virtue Of my position
I will be) with the noble men and women
of my native State that have petitioned,
and now positively demand relief from
combines, trusts and ~monopolies, that are
sapping the very life blood of our best peo-
pie, is a proud position indeed, in which
l am placed. The confidence reposed in
me by the delegates on that occasion win
never be forgotten by me, and it will be
in the discharge of the duties incumbent
a most powerful stimulant.
Since my separation with our friends
at Fayetteville, I have not been idle, but
have drawn largely on my time, first in
attending Alliance meetings 10 this Con-
gressional district, where [ have had the
pleasure of addressing, thousands upon
/ thousands of the bone and sinew of the
land. In this field I have had the aid
and hearty CO. operation of some of the
best me1 in western North Carolina, all
vieing with each other rs to who could
do the most in the noble work. Last
week, or rather a portion of it, | spent at
Charlotte, n. c., in consultation with
brothers S. B. Alexander, Chairman of
the State Executive Committee, and r.
B. Hunter, Assistant State Lecturer, in
preparing a plan for the early canvass of
the entire, State.
The plan suggested and adopted at the
State Convention, allowing the district
lecturers to aid me in the work, has re-
ceived at my hands much thought and
consideration, and I am proud that l am
able to say, l have already secured some
of the best talent in the State, and hope
in a few days to be able to say the entire
force will be selected, and just as soon as
notice can be given, the canvass will be
opened all over North Carolina.
This part Of the work-the procuring
gentlemen of the right stamps no small
Job, but requires thought, prudence and
some Judgment, and as far as I have gone
in the premises, I think I can congratu-
late my brethren all over the State in
securing the acceptance of said positions
by such gentlemen.
In the 9th Congressional district, COM
posed as it is of the counties of Buncombe,
Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Hen
derson, Jackson, Mcdowell, Macon,
Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford,
Swain, Pennsylvania and Yancey, / have
procured the services of Gen. Robert B.
Vance, of Asheville, N. c., who is now
actively engaged in the field. Speaks
Saturday 21st at Hayesville, Clay county,
N. c., Monday 23d at Bryson City, Swain
county, N. c., &c.
In the 9Th Congressional district, COM
posed as it is of the counties of Alexan-
der, Allegheny, Ashe, Burke, Caldwell,
Cleveland, Castor, Lincoln, Watauga and
Wilkes, I have secured the services of DR..
L. N. Durham, Shelby, N. c., who will
enter the field first week in October, 1889.
In the 9th Congressional district, COM
posed as it is of the counties of Catawba,
Davidson, Davie, Iredel, Rowan, Yadkin,
Montgomery and Randolph, Ihave secured
the services of DR.. D. Reid Parker, Trinity
College, Randolph Co.
As aforesaid, I am satisfied / will be
able to say in a few days that the remain
ing districts will be filed and ready to
open the canvas first week in October of
this year.
Bro. R. B. Hunter, Assistant State
Lecturer, has been doing efficient and
valuable work in Mecklenburg, Catawba,
and adjoining counties; has appointments
in Rowan yet untitled. He IS jealous,
capable and untiring; his devotion to the
cause is simply unbounded.
I go to Burnsville, Yancey county, N.
c., Friday the goth, and I'M promised an
audience of not less than one thu usand
on Saturday the 21st.
I cannot close this hastily gotten up
and partial report of the work in its en-
bryo state, without thanking Bro. Elias
Carr, President of the State Alliance,
brothers s. B. Alexander, Chair
man of the Executive Committee, Bro.
W. A. Graham, Financial Agent, Bro.
l.. L. Polk, Secretary, and many other
members, for their kind suggestions and
promised hearty cooperation in my work.
May God, in His kindness, Vouchsafe
to US a happy and safe deliverance from
all trusts, combines and ~monopolies, to
the end that the faborer, farmer, mechanic
and all classes of men who nv the sweat