Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1892-02-25
COTTON GROWERS ASSOCIATION.


cotton growing States. This had not
yet been done. Vice-presidents were
appointed from the various States, he
being appointed from Mississippi.
The convention was composed of
about IS or 100 persons, largely mem
bers of the Legislature and persons of
various callings - lawyers, bankers,
newspapermen, planters, etc. The
small farmer, the man who follows the
pillow, was conspicuous chiefly for his
absence. The formality of credentials
was waived and temporary organiza-
ton was effected by the election of DR..
w. L. Kern, of Holmes, Chairman, and
E. l.. Martin, of jackson, Secretary.
Messrs. Vardaman, Caldwell, Kelsey,
King, holland, Guynes and r. t. Love
from their respective districts and
Messrs. J.E. Gwin and H. NJ. Street, State
at large, were appointed committee on
resolutions, and after due deliberation,
reported the following, which were dis
cussed and adopted:
l. Resolved, That it is the opinion of
this committee that if the amount of
cotton produced be reduced one
fourth, the aggregate amount of money
received in the South will be largely in
creased, and that reduction in acreage
of cotton will result in the raising an
increased amount of provision and live
stock, and thus benefit us, both by
bringing in more money and sending
out less.
9. We recommend that there be a
local organization of the said Cotton
Growers and Merchants Association
organized in every county, town and
supervisors district in the cotton grow
ing region, and that the said local or
ganization, where possible and practi-
cable, cooperate with any farmers or
ganization now in existence.
g. We recommend that reduction in
the acreage planted in cotton i'll 1897,
be twenty five per cent. less than plant
ed in 1891.
4. We further recommend that each
and every planter or farmer within the
said cotton growing States, do plant
more diversified crops, and especially
take extraordinary precaution to the
end that he shall produce an album
dance of corn, meat, hay, peas, oats and
such other necessaries for his own and
family's supplies. And we here appeal
personally and individually to each and
every person favoring this movement
to lend his aid and influence to further
this end.
5. In view of the fact that the mer-
camille interest of the South is largely
held responsible, whether rightfully or
not, for the planting of cotton verging
upon the exclusion of other products,
it is therefore suggested and hopefully
urged upon them to contribute by their
advice and in other substantial ways to
bringing about of this coveted reform in
our farming methods !; and to this end
we urge that the merchants shall refuse
to supply any cotton grower who snail
refuse to reduce his cotton acreage as
provided in this resolution. 1t is fur
Their deemed of the greatest moment as
the banking institutions of the cities
and towns of the South are equally in
terested in that general prosperity
which alone can come through change
in our methods, that they turn an in
telligent eye in this direction and con
tribute their quota of needed aid. In
fact, we hold it to be more emphatical-
" in the power of these two classes OF
our agencies in producing cotton to
promote and assist it to self-sustaln-
ing condition than all others and we
look to them and will hold them re.
sponsible in great part il the aims OF
this association fail and they refuse to
labor with the farmer and planter in
this reformatory direction.
6. We recommend that all members
and delegates to this convention use
Al ir1iui1,1al nHnrfG fn
carry into effect these resolutions, and
that they urge their people at home to
assist for the general good in carrying
out the spirit and purpose of the same.
7. That we recommend athorough or
ganiZation of the cotton growers of the
United States for the purpose of reduc-
ing the acreage of cotton to such an
extent as will afford a reasonable mar
gin for profit above the cost of produc-
ton.
g. That in order to encourage Such an
organization and to make it effective,
we request the Legislature to enact a
law under which the cotton growers may
organize, adopt rules and bylaws for
their own government, with such pow
ers as the Legislature may see proper
to confer.
line TSSOl WClC uioSUooON ~
Hon. G. w. Wise, of Bolivar Maj. H.
w. Millsaps, of Jackson, and Col. L. II.
Goodwin, of Memphis. The latter gen
tleman made the point that manufact-
urers come together, have an under
standing and reduce production when
the market is glutted with their wares,
and farmers should profit by their ex-
ample.
Senator McGehee, of Franklin, of
fered and secured the adoption of
resolution calling on Mississippi's rep
resentatives in Congress to support the
anti-option bill now pending before
that body.
Permanent organization was effected
by the election of the following of
ficers w. L. KERN, president W. w.
Stone, vice-president; E. L. Martin,
secretary R. 7. Love, treasurer.
A resolution by Auditor Stone was
adopted requesting the State lecturer
of the Alliance to present the purposes
of the convention to the membership
thereof, and urge a common effort to
promote the objects of the same.
1t was made the duty of the presi-