The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-01-15
COTTON GROWERS CONVENTION.
A PROTECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS.
King Cotton Has lost His Crown
Various Plans are Discussed for Re
storing His Supremacy.

| EtnnS arc DtSCuSScu Itc
storing His Supremacy.
JACKSON, Miss, Jan. 9.-When tn,
delegates to the Cotton Growers Con
vention moved toward the Hall OF Rep
resentatiyes in which they were Il
through four inches of snow. Over 10,
delegates were on hand at 10 o'clock
at which hour the body was called t.
order by Auditor Stone, of Mississippi
He introduced Hon. III. ID. Lane, o
Alabama, commissioner of agriculture
who called on Governor Stone, of Mis-
sissippi, to make the opening address
Governor Stone spoke three-quarters d
an hour and undertook to outline what
should be the line Of effort Of the con
vention.
Robert e. Eckbergor was chosen tc
act as secretery Of the convention. a
of delegates from Alabama, Arkansas,
Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina
and Tennessee, neal ~ all of whom are
practical planters. The following com
mittees were appointed:
Resolutions-J. FL. Miuge, Ala; eX-
Governor James p. Eagle, Arkansas
w. a. Broughton, Georgia: George ii
Ganzee, Louisiana; j. III. Williamson,
North Carolina and B. M.iPriestly, OF
Tennessee.
Permanent NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ID.
Lane, Alabama; j. f. Smith, Arkan-
sas w. A. Brougbton, Georgia; ID. w.
Piper, Louisiana; j. Ell. Williamson,
North Carolina; j. M. Pricstly, Ten
nessee; j. A. Redhead, Mississippi.
A score of plans were suggested in
writing by delegates and referred to
the committee on resolutions. One pro-
vides for the bankrupt law another
| for an increase of the Hating
medium, so as to cheaper money, but
all the others relate to increasing the
value of cotton, the most popular
scheme being to decrease the acreage
by tho formation of an organization
whose members should pledge them
selves to plant from 25 to 80 per cent.
| less than in 1894. Some of them are
very drastic in their tendency, propos-
! as enemies of their country If they
should violate their obligations
| Several delegates took the floor to
express themselves on the situation
aAd the best way to increase the price
OF cotton. 1t was resolved to form q
| permanent organization and commit
! tee to draft the laws a. d constitution
was appointed. Among the resolutions
offered was one by Piper, OF Louisiana,
| opposing dealing in cotton futures and
calling on members OF Congress to sup
port the Hatch bill.
One by Robinson. of Mississippi, pro-
vides for the establishment Of cold
! storage houses at convenient points
throughout the country. Lane, for the
committee on permanent organization,
submitted a report which was adopted,
recommending that the association be
known Us the Cotton Growers PrOtec-
! tive Association, and providing for the
election or appointment OF national Of
| ficers, appointing the State presidents.
but all officers after 1895 to be elected.
| A recess was then taken.
| At the night session Hector ID. Lanc,
of Alabama, owas elected president Of
tho national association, Ex-Governor
Eagle, of Arkansas, vice president and
| Robert b. Eckberger, of Alabama, sec
retary and treasurer. The following
resolution was adopted by vote OF 247
to 10:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this
convention that dealing in futures or
future gambling Is injurious to tho ag-
ricultural interests of the United
States, and especially injurious to the
cotton growers of the South.
| Members OF Congress were requested
| to pass tho Hatch bill or some kindred
| measures.
All the States voted solidly for the
resolution except Alabama and Mis-
sissippi, which stood small fraction
against the resolution.
| JACKSON, MISS, Jan. 10.-When the
Cotton Growers Protective Association
convened this morning the first busi-
ness done was to adopt the report OF
the committee on resolutions, the
salient part of which is as follows:
1.-THE gravity of the conditions con-
| fronting the cotton growers is recO-
gnized to what extent this may be
traced to financial Legislation is useless
to discuss. The overproduction of cot
ton is recognized as one of the chief
evils. This must be corrected or uni
versal bankruptcy will follow Selfin-
terest must impel the grower to a
change. Every farmer is appealed to
not to plant so much cotton @ decrease
of not less than twenty-five per cent. is
recommended; fifty cent. would be
better. The farmer should be made
self sustaining by planting peas, corn,
potatoes, oats, ETC., and raising plenty
of meat. The tide of immigration
turned this way will change methods.
Farmers are urged to form county
organizations all over the South to
carry out these resolutions. Cold
storage houses are recommended wher-
ever practicable.
The committee promises better
times and higher prices for cotton If
its recommendations are observed. All
papers in the South are requested to
keep the committees report standing.
The committee on organization and
bylaws submitted long report, OF
which the following is a synopsis:
No one shall be a member who is not
legitimate grower. The association
is formed for one year and the exccu-
tive committee is given power to con-
tinue it longer If good results are at
tanned. The agreement to be sent to
all counties in the cotton growing
States for signatures is not to be bind
ing till signed by three-fourths OF the
cotton acreage in 80 per cent. OF the
cotton growing counties; said fact to
be determined by the national commit
tee. Each member binds himself to
pay two cents for each acre OF cotton
planted in 1894, half to be retained in
the counties, tho balance to be paid
into tho treasury Of tho national com
mittee for general purposes. The
county organizations are to be formed
on tho first Monday OF March, 1895
The national executive committee
shall be composed OF the national presi.
dent, who is ex-ofiico chairman and
each State is entitled to one member
! for every 100, 900 bales of cotton raised