The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-08-13
GARY, N. c., Aug
to the News and Observer,

GARY, N. c., Aug. 12.
The North Carolina State Farmers
Alliance meets here tomorrow morning
in its eighth annual session. President
j. M. Mewborne, of Lenoir, will call the
meeting to order at eleven o'clock. After
organization has been perfected, the
president will deliver his annual address
President Mewborne, Secretary W. s.
Barnes, State Business Agent Ivey, Sena-
tor Hileman, of Cabarrus; A. D. K.
Wallace, of Rutherfordton; W. A. Ora
ham, of Lincoln; John Brady, and many
other prominent Alliancemen are already
here and delegates have commenced to
come in.
In selecting Cary as its place of meet
ing the Alliance has departed from its
usual custom of meeting in the larger
towns. But at this point will be centered
several enterprises that the Alliance has
projected. The first of these to materl-
alize will probably be the tannery and
shoe factory, which are expected to be
in active operation before many months
pass by. The building for the shoe
factory has already been secured, and it
only awaits the official action of the Alli-
ance to put the wheels in motion. This
will probably be given tomorrow. The
committee discussed the matter to day,
and will probably take immediate action.
Gary is considered one of the best loca-
ted points in the State, land is cheap, the
cost of living small, the proximity to
Raleigh is an advantage, and the rail
road facilities are excellent. Mr.. I. N.
Ivey, the State Business Agent of the
Alliance, lives here, and can actively su-
pervise any enterprises it may establish
at this point.
The North Carolina State Farmers
Alliance was organized at Rockingham
IN 1887. 1t announced, as its basal
principles, the promotion of improved
methods of agriculture and the
protection of agricultural interests. Ex-
Congressman s. B. Alexander was the
first President and Col. L. L. Polk, edi-
tor of the Progressive Farmer, was the
first Secretary The organization grew
rapidly and spread to every section of
the State. At one time the Alliance
claimed to have ninety thousand mem
bers.
Since the first meeting the Alliance
has met in State Convention at Raleigh,
Fayetteville, Asheville, Morehead City,
and for the last three years has met at
Greensboro. The presidents have each
served term of two years; they have
been s. B. Alexander, Elias Carr, Ma
rion Butler and J. M. Mewborne. Two
years is the limit of service in the or
ganization.
The most important action the Alli-
ance has ever taken was at AsheVille,
when the following resolutions, intro
duced by J. B. Holman, Of Iredell, one
of the most patriotic, honest and level
headed men in his section, were adopted
"WHEREAs, the subject of free and
liberal education alike for males and fe-
males, is matter of paramount impor-
tance to the material and institutional
life of a State, and one that especially
claims the immediate attention of the
industrial classes, the Farmers Alliance
of North Carolina in session assembled,
therefore,
"ReSoI0e /, That we favor and recon
mend the increase of our present public
school tax by at least twenty five pei
| cent.
2. That we favor and recommend that
ample appropriation and provisions be
made by the State for the training and
higher education of females
In letter written to gentleman IL
Raleigh at the time, Mr.. Holman said
II introduced the resolution regarding
education to day and it was referred tc
a committee of which Prof. English is
chairman. find strong sentiment in
favor of an increase of public school
facilities. The Alliance is not dead by
any means, but / think will be felt foI
| good in time to come. / feel sure that
it would accomplish much good in the
West. Col Polk made a speech last
night that made profound impression
on the crowd that gave undivided atten'
tion."
This resolution, adopted at Asheville,
had marked influence in establishing
the State Normal and Industrial schoo
and in generally advancing the educa'
tional interests of the State.
JOHN WILDER JENKINS.