The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-12-02
The Cotton Question.

The Cotton Question.
In the proceedings Of the meeting of the
National Farmers Alliance we find the fol-
Lowing very important action.
Aside from the election of officers, the
most important feature of the days work
was the report Of the cooperative commit
tee on the much talkea-ahout cotton ques-
tion.
Tho fact that the report was adopted by
the convention by q unanimous vote proves
that the proposed method Of improving the
condition of the cotton trade has made o
favorable impression on the rank aud file of
the Alliance.
Following is copy of the official report
rs approved by the convention:
Alliance Cotton Cooperative Board
Plan of Organization:
This board shall consist of one member
from each of the cotton States cooperating
in the work.
The delegates comprising this meeting
may elect the first board, which, when rati-
hed by the president and executive com.
mittee OF the State alliance, shall hold that
Office till January l, 1894.
The regular term of office for the MEM
bers Of this board shall be for one year,
and shall commence on the lst day of June
OF each year. The board nay divide the
work and employ suitable managers for
each department.
Two distinct lines Of work are to be con-
Quoted:
l. The cotton producers are to be organ
lied into three divisions: (a) Those who
raise less than 40 bales; (b) those who raise
40 bales AMI less than 100 bales; (c) those
who produce more than 100 bales; those
who would be in the second or third division
m hA
secretaries, and they may be called by mail
to point at which full representative
meeting can be secured, that they may be
organized through the b-Alliancc.
The cooperation of capital is to be secured
by the election Of combination of one
from each cotton State, and when there is o
business agent, If it is practicable, he should
be the representative. and the combination
Of one from each State shall elect an execu
tive committee.
These two branches of work are to be
kept entirely separate, the object being ts
enable joint line of work, the second and
third division to help themselves, AMI by
the second line Of work to assist and help
the first division by advancing on their
crops and cmancipating them from practical
Industrial slavery.
We suggest that circulars from State
Alliances in the cotton States, inviting all
farmers and planters interested in the pro-
ducticn of cotton, to meet different local
Alliances in open sessions in neighborhoods
where Alliances are now established, for
consultation, as to the business of preduc-
ing, handling and making their rroducts OF
profit. Where no Alliance exists iu
neighbsrhoods, invite farmers aud planters
not connected with the Alliance, to hold
similar meetings, elect their officers and
furnish the required information to the
national cotton combination on precisely
the same footing as if connected with the
order.
Circular forms Of questions on which full
information shall be desired, to be prepared
in form that cannot be misunderstood
embracing every point as near as possible
such as follows: Enrolment Of name ei
each landed producer; number of acres o
each in cultivation of cltton, corn, peas and
hay; number Of mules, number Of hand:
employed and capital available to run the
farm for next year; eau increased capitr
be secured locally? Is so, at what cost
and all other items the board may conceive
Of the slightest Importance as information
so as to actually dstsrmin, the needs of the
cotton producers.
Ask in circular suggestions as TO the best
Lst one mauDe apPoIntUu III racu UuiInry,
when organized or tho services of ono
interested.
z. When not, by the president OF each
state Alliance, to work the matter and
obtain reports to forward diroct to the cot
ton combination.
This scheme was adopted By the Alliance.