The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-03-01
ALLIANCE CONVENTION.
IMPORTANT RECOIMENDATIO
TO THE FARMERS
Basis Upon Which Fertilizers Should
be Purchased-Cotton Acreage Re-
ductiOn, and Farms to be Made
SelfSustaining.

Basis Upon Which Fertilizers Should
be Purchascd-Cotton Acreage Re-
ductiOn, and Farms to he Made
SelfSustaining.
Columbia Register, Goth inst.
The convention called by President
Evans, of the Alliance, to consider
matters of import to the agricultural
interests, met in the Hall of the House
of Representatives last night. There
were about forty delegates present
besides numerous spectators. The COZ
vention was called to order at S:l5 by
President Evans. A call of the roll
showed the following delegates pres
ent: Abbeville, j. Il. Robertson An
derson, }. w. Bowden, Joshua Ashley,
J. b. Watson; Barnwell, S. G. May
field, w. S. Bamberg, w. Il. Cave, Fl.
IL. Crum; Chester, s. Il. McKeown: :
Darlington, j. w. War;; Edgetiell,
w. L. Zimmerman, Ii. l.. Caughmau,
a. B. Watson, p. Nj. Lott; Florence,
j. f.. PETIT. grew, J.S. Mckenzie Hor-
ry, j. "A. Lewis: Lancaster, Il. II.
Langley, }. G. Elliott; Lexington, j.
l.. Shuler, ID. T. Efird Marion, ID.
Mcintyre, 5. w. Smith, j. ID. Mont
gomery, Il. b. Stackhouse, j. G. Camp
Orangeburg, j. w. Stokes, j T..
Fairey: Newberry, j. l.. Keitt, j. n.
Sigh Spartanburg. g. w. O'Dell, j.
w. Howell, j. w. Reid; Sumter, Il.
i. SJackhouse. H. II. Thomas, J. Il.
Hayes: York, w. n. Elder, j. +. Ashe !:
Colleton, j. II. Warn: Richland, ID. Il.
Duncan, o. +. Chappcll; Clarendon, j.
+. Davis, ID. j. Bradham {: Fairfield, Il.
L. Mitchell.
President Evans said he had called
the convention at the request of sew
eral sub-Allianccs to consider the mat
ter of fertilizers and the cotton acre
age and any other business tending to
improve the agricultural interests of
the State.
President Evans stated that a com
mittce consisting of J. l.. keitt, II. II.
Mitchell, ID. Il. Duncan, j. ID. Mont
gomery, DR.. }. William Stokes and
j. B. Watson were out formulating
resolutions and on motion the conven-
ton took a short recess to await their
action.
The committee returned after few
minutes and DR.. Stokes, speaking for
it said that the committe" was some
what Sclf-conStitutcd and it only m-
| tended to facilitate matters and make
some suggestions to the convention for
discussion. One question that has
been largely discussed is the matter Of
purchasing fertilizers on the cotton
option basis. The committee sug-
gcsted that farmers pay SO o b for
acid phosphate at Charleston. The
idea is to give lao pounds of middling
cotton for II ton of phosphate payable
on November |. Or if the farmer does
not want to pay the cotton to pay $40 in
currency. On kainit 100 pounds or $ll
| in currency.
| IN 40 hf rl p,
mittee suggest a rcdccution OF 20 per
cent. on all fertilizer rates and that the
Railroad Commission be requested 10
insist upon these rates and to revoke
| the usual thirty days notice. DR..
Stokes said that this was an effort to
have all share equitably in conditions
that are inevitable. While looking
after our own interests the committee
was not looking solely to their own.
All were in the same boat.
The committee also recommended
that less fertilizers be used and that
what was used should be Of high grade
rather than low grade.
AS to cotton acreage the committee
suggested that the first question should
be on each farm how much bread and
| meat viii! 1T take to run this farm this
year. This being decided and the
Land necessary to make it. being de-
termined on, let the rest be put in cot.
ton or as much us individual cases
might warrant.
The committee also recommended
| that whatever Fertilizers be bought be
| purchased through the Alliance EX-
change.
The first recommendation of the
| committee as to the cotton option basis
was discussed. DR.. Stokes said the
| figures were made by a fertilizer COM
pany. Il was practically their sug-
gcstion with the exception of u few
changes made by the committee.
Their proposition did not include a
cotton option. The committee reduced
their number Of pounds and in con-
sldcratiOn Of the cotton option had in
creased IL little the amount payable in
currency.
Mr.. Hayes insisted on knowing what
company it was and whether they
would advance the freight.
DR.. Stokes said that the company
would pay the freight and the interest
on the freight would be payable in
cotton at > cents a pound.
Senator Mayteld wanted to know
whether members would be bound by
what action was taken.
Mr.. Montgomery said that the COM
nlttcc recommended that no more be
paid, but if one can get it for less why
buy it and let the others know.
Mr.. Robertson wanted to know
whether any company would hold the
option open until after the crop was
made.
DIR. Stokes said the purchaser must
either take the cotton end or the
money end of the proposition when the
trade Is made.
Mr. War; said that he thought the
whole resolution would amount to
nothing. He didn't see how any BODY
could use commercial fertilizer under
, cent cotton. He was from Darling
ton he said and was in for tobacco.
The best thing was not to buy any
make your own guano. We have
taken advantage Of the fertilizer men
ali along. This proposition was not
right. 1t gave us the chance to pav
IN cotton il it paid us and not if it
dIdnt. This wasn't right. He was
opposed to the use Of fertilizers any
way and he couldn't sec how any man
could put fertilizers under three or
our cents cotton.
Mr.. J. B. Watson favored the pro-
position, which he considered lust,
equitable and right. IT was unfOr-