The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-05-19
BLAIR IN H A

detained me ten days, closed al Fly
mouth with the acquittal of the &C
cused.
The next meeting was in Pitt county,
at GreenviHe, Friday the 23d. drove
alone from Washington across the
Pamlico river on the bridge which is
to Washington, n. c., what London
bridge is to the metropolis, and on
twenty-five miles to G~reenville.
Harry Skinner, a'defender of the Al
lance, an eloquent lawyer and a zeal
u working member of the legislature,
was the first to greet me.
Notwithstanding the fine farming
weather and the great need for work
and the fact the county meeting had
been held at the regular time, a large
audience of Pitt county farmers and
others heard me for ninety minutes.
Some of the farmers walked for miles
rather than have the pillow stand.
Gov. Jarvis. Harry Skinner and
other prominent men whom I did not
know, were present. In the afternoon
I occupied about the same length of
time, talking to the County Alliance
in private session. A 0 attentive,
earnest set of Alliancemen has not met
at any of ourumeetings so far in the
district. The President, j. D. Cox,
member of the legislature, the Secre-
tary, brother Mayo, Clerk of the
Court, and the County Lecturer, who
is Superintendent of Pupblic lnstruc-
ton for the county, are wide awake.
Brother Joseph LaughinghOuse and
Rev. -- impressed me as being
strong and earnest AIliancemen. Pitt
is exceptionally fine in it's crops Of po-
tatOes, corn, cotton and tobacco, now
up and growing. This county has a
fine gently undulating surface of fer
tile soil and her farmers are more
prosperous, it seems, than r general
ly seen in the district.
Idrove back to Washington through
the rain by dark. On Saturday I spoke
in Washington to the Beaufort county
farmers and their fellow-citizens giving
reasons for OUR organization and what
is expected to be accomplished by it.
Our gallant Branch, who ran so we'll
for Congress as to get a larger major
ity than his predecessors, graced the
occasion by his presence. Although
brother Ben Terrell had been there, a
large audience came to hear even me
and heard more gladly than any other
meeting has, Judging from the cheer
ing.
In the afternoon was held the county
meeting in which [ had something to
say after watching with much interest
the manner of conducting and dispatch
ing business. In this Il member of
Congress, w. A. B. Branch, excelled
and so gave an insight to his ability to
see what is needed and to apply the
remedy which auguers we'll for his
wisdom and ability in the National
Legislature. He is the son of Gen. L.
0. B. Branch, of stout. vigorous build,
a good face, pleasant address and easy
manners, and more, a man of high
moral character. Fellow-citizens and
brethren of the first district, let us
by our Alliance farmer Con
gresham with Our counsel, encourage
ment and loyalty, giving him three
when it will do good.
One of the most interesting and in
things to me in Beaufort Coun-
ty Alliance is the large, fine store Of
the order in the business center of
Washington full of goods and busy,
sober buying farmers and their wives.
Here Alliance people have goods at re-
duced rates. In this as in every other
good thing the Alliance is helping peo-
pie outside as well as themselves.
II generally reduced in the
town. Washington is a pretty town,
well laid off with streets, rather mar
but straight. Population about
5000.
I send you herewith a list of sub
5cribers. Azcounty meeting does not
seem to be a good place to get sub
5cribers because those who read feel
Importance of our work and come
to help while those who do not take
paper stay away, feeling they
know enough.
Fraternally,
F. S. BLAIR.