The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-12-08
Cotton Growers Convention.

Cotton Growers Convention.
A meeting was held in the Opera House
last Monday for the pu pose Of organizing
Cotton Growers Convention in pursu-
anee of q call made from meeting held in
Columbia during the State Fair, the object
Of which was to interest the cotton grow
ers Of this State, and in fact throughout
the cotton growing States, in more per-
feet organization which would enable them
to more perfectly protect their interests in
the growing and marketing Of their cotton
crop. The meeting was well attended, the
Opera House being filled to overtlowing
with farmers.
A. G. Latimer stated the object of the
meeting in a very interesting speech, in
which he showed the loss to the farmers
in this County in the decline of the price
ofcotton Of S50O.OeO, aud insisted that it
was quite possible for the farmers to con-
troll, to very large. extent, the price of
their cotton by a repeal of the iniquitous
Lein Law and by rigidly adhering to the
rule Of not furnishing more than $25 to the
horse in supplies to renters. and by q
closer attention to the raising of home
supplies. He instsnced the success of the
farmers in breaking the jute trust, stating
that the price was forced down from 143
cents per yard to Z and 6 cents; making a
saving of S25. 900 to this country alone on
bagging, and insisted that by self.denial
and close economy. coupled with deter
mination to so manage as to hold the cot
ton crop, the monopolies could be broken
and the price Of cotton forced up. He
went on to show that the next year
crop of cotton is now being sold at
5 67 per pound and that this was made pos
sible by tho want of organization and the
precedents our people had established by
making obligations without due regard to
the income from their crops and to mature
early in the fall. he insisted that the peo-
pie obligate themselves only to the extent
of SIS per horse and make their obliga-
tions to mature in January. He strongly
denounced the Lein Law, and insisted that
the repeal of this law was necessary to
bring about the result sought.
Mr.. J. ]. FretweIl wanted to know if
Congress could not give relief by passing
laws which would check the dealing in
cotton futures. Mr.. Latimer replied that
Congress was controlled by capitalists and
2awvers sent there by the people, and no
relief could be had there. The only hope
was for the entire cotton growing States to
thoroughly organize. put themselves in q
position to hold the cotton and in this way
defeat the schemes of the cotton manipu-
lator and spectator.
DR.. C. v. Barnes moved to proceed to
permanent organization. and Hon. A. c.
Lstimer was elected temporary Chairman
and Hon. J. E. Breazeale Secretary.
Interesting speeches were made by DR..
c. v. Barnes. L. E. Campbell, Geo. E.
Prince, Esq, S. n, Pesrmsn, j. Belton
Watson, J. w. Ashley. P. K. McCully, J.
81. Grant and others.
Much time was consumed in organizing
permanently and good deal Of unneces-
ssly talking was done, but the Convention
fiually got down to business. and Hon. D.
K. Norris was elected President. DR.. G. v.
Barnes and ]. s. Fowler Vice Presidents.
snd Hon. j. B. Lsyerett Secretary.
The following committee was appointed
to draft resolutions and by laws and report
at next meeting: S. N. Pearman, R P.
Clinkscales, J. n. McElroy, J. H. Grant
and w. 81. Glenn.
a resolution was adopted to appoint one
man in each Township as an organizer,
and the following gentlemen were nomi
mated and appointed: il. R. Anderson,
Broadway; ]. J. vaugn, Bolton;
Brushy Greek; T. H. Burriss, Cen
terville; j. L., Jackson, Corner; ]. M.
Broyles. Fork; T. 7. Wakefield, Garvin;
A. T. Newell. Hopewell; J. w. Ashley.
Honea Path; H. M. Tate. Hall; r. E
Parker, Martin; w. H. McWhorter, Pen
dleton; L. O. Williford, Rock Mills; R
P. Clinkscales, Savannah; J. a. Hall, Va
rennes; Capt. B. c. Martin, Williamson
There will be meeting held in Atlanta
next Tuesday. the 14th instant, which will
be composed OF delegates from the Con-
sreasional districts Of all the cotton grow
ing States. and it is confidently believed
that much benefit will be derived from
this meeting, and that it will mark an i'm.
portent epoch in the history Of cotton
growing and particularly in cotton selling.
It is possible for thorough organization to
accomplish that which legislation cannot
or has not reached, and there is no man in
the cotton growing States, whatever may
be his vocation, who should not be deeply
interested in this organization of cotton
growers and in the results OF the meeting
to be hello in Atlanta next Tuesday.
In MemOriam.