The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-01-30
COTTON GROWERS ASSOCIATION

| COTTON GkOWEItS' ASSOCIATION
| An Appeal to the SelfIntcrcsts Of the
Farmers-Must Make the Cotton
States Entirely SelfSuppOrting.
The second annual convention of
Southern Cotton Growers and others
directly concerned with the cotton
crop, convened in Memphis, Jan. II. -,
upon call from President Hector ID.
Lane, Of Alabama. Every ono of the
cotton growing States were represent
ed, Mississippi und Arkansas having
conspiciously large and intelligent
delegations. President Laue, who was
chosen permanent chairman, delivered
his address Immediately after the con-
vcntion was called to order, dealing
extensively with statistics to demon
strate tho necessity for holding tho
cotton acreage within bounds. He
pointed out that tho annual surplus is
the effective instrument used by the
cotton bears" to dcpress values and
that oycr~production fosters manipula-
tion.
At tho conclusion Of tho address, tho
various committees were appointed
and then Hon. Charles Scott, of Mis-
sissippi, was introduced. He dwclt
chiefly upon the method of Southern
cotton growers, which carried him
away from divcrsitication and to tho
all-cotton crop, which IN turn Carried
him to the supply men who predicated
| their advances upon that crop. The
close Of MIR. SCOTS address aroused
enthusiasm, because he took up tho
certain consequences OF a war in which
this country should figure as Drinci-
pal. tlc insisted that 50 long as war
could be honorably avertcd let it be
| n bttt ,up1,n
would be found that tho agriculturists
Of the South would be found among
the foremost of the countrys soldiers.
At the close of this speech the COM
mlttee on resolutions announced it's
readiness to report and did so. The
preamble rccitcs the evil consequences
OF over production and unsystcmatic
marketing OF the cotton crop, and re-
solves, THAT We call the attention OF
the Southern cotton growers to the
TACT that they arc masters of the situu-
tion The crop Of 1895 being less than
seven million bales, renders it entirely
feasible, by q further reasonable re-
ductlon OF acreage during the present
year, to materially advance the value
Of cotton and thus insure q safe and
substantial profit that cannot fail to
bring Increased profit but the enhanc-
ing the value Of our lands, and turning
hither the tide Of immigration, much
needed for tho development of the
great natural resources OF this favored
section
We earnestly urge all producers Of
cotton to take advantage Of this golden
opportunity, and continue the wise
policy adopted during the past season
OF making the South sclf-supporting
by hrst producing an abundant supply
or corn, hay, meat and other like con
sumption; decorating the cotton aero
ago still further for tho matter of
prime Importance, thus guarding
against tho dangers Of overproduction
and leaving the cotton as u surplus
crop"
| Other resolutions were reported and
adopted, making the American Cotton
Growers Association permanent, in
structlng the president and executive
committees to move cnerecticallv
against every disposition to increase
acreage, and providing for permanent
officers from each cotton growing State,
| a committe to formulate an address
to agriculturists was also appointcd
TO prepare and promulgate it, after
which the convention adjourned sine
die. '-'
| i''i|o'|S VII ttttufSSS soon com
| pleted its work after getting together
tonight. Calling attention TO- the
greater returns from tho decreased
crops and the cause therefor, tho com
| mlttcc concludes
! We appeal to your self-intcrcsts
and your patriotism to do all in v0ur
power TO keep down the production of
tho staple. Do not descrt The ground
you have won: Fight upon the lines
| laid down, mako tho cotton States solf-
supporting; put moro land in clovcr
ana grasses for your hogs to run on;
dlVcrsliy your crops, and when you
have done all this, the area devoted
TO cotton will yield more profitable re-
turns than If you sought to increase
the number OF your balcs. 1t is felt bv
Tho most thoughtful men that we are
entering upon IL year Of great uncer-
taintlcs, and that oven a small cotton
crop may fail to give adequate returns
for It's production. Tho muttcrings Of
Il storm are disturbing the country
and unscttling all business calculations.
The prudent men will trim his sails to
meet it. With the commerce of
tho country Interrupted by war-and
war may comc-cOtton would be un-
salcablo except at nominal prices.
Every consideration then OF patriotism,
or self interest, and OF prudence, die.
tatcs that you adhere strictly to the
rule OF tho diminished acreage"
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