The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-12-21

the wealthy slaveowners and cotto
planters as its CHEF promoters half
century ago"
The meeting of the cotton grower
resulted not in the organization of
separate association, but in the endorse
mcnt OF the American Cotton Growers
Protective Association, which Is alrcad
in existence and has accomplished
great deal on the same lines aimed a
by the meeting of the South Carolin
planters. The conclusions arrived a
and the resolutions passed by thu
notable body of representative mel
are all such as promise relief for tn,
planter and the Inauguration of man,
reforms in the business of growing ant
marketing cotton.
The leading idea discussed was tho
reduction of acreage SO rs to relieve
the congestion of the markets of tho
world and enhance the value of the
staple, and supplemental to that idea
were the resolutions condemning in the
strongest terms the pernicious practice
of gambling in cotton futures and the
permitting of politics to enter into such
associations as are formed with a view
20 protecting the farmers.
There is great display of forensic
efforts among the delegates during the
afternoon and evening sessions, and
some very strong speeches were made
by Mcssrs. j. B. Stepp, II. S. Lips
comb, w. j. Gaines and others from
South Carolina, and the delegates from
the Old North State took a prominent
part IN the debates, while Georgia was
in nowisc behind hand in the oratorical
efforts of the delegates
Col. II. j. Rcdding, director of the
experiment station, presented report
of the market price of cotton in New
York IN the first of every month, OF
every year since 1SS4-5, and his statis-
lies, which had been prepared with
great care, are a valuable addition
to the information evolved from the
meeting of the cotton growers.
Prof. j. l.. IIunnicutt made one OF
The most telling addresses of the ses-
sion when he stated that the farmers
would get togC ther and pass resolutions
looking toward the reduction of the
cotton acreage, but, at the same time,
hey were secretly making up their
minds to plant more than ever.
Prof llunnicutt proposed the follow
ng resolution
"Resolvcd, That each delegate to
md member of this Convention do
pledge and obligate himself to reduce
he number of acres planted in Gotten
n 1897 not less than 20 per cent. for
1893. Also, that each delegate and
member will use his influence among
md with his ncighbors to accomplish
he same end"
Continuing on the same line of
hought he said the most salutary
'eform that could he inaugurated would
DC the correction of the evils resulting
rom gambling in futures among fac.
ors and brokers. He went on to give
he unintelligc.t class roast for not
'eing able to discern the remedies that
ire apparent to all but themselves.
He said that the landlord could do
great deal toward reducing the cotton
'crcagc BY requiring that his tenants
'lant a sufficient acreage in provision
rops every year to insure support,
'ftcr which they might plant as much
II cotton as seemed wise and iu,licious.
He said that he was weary of hear
ng the complaints of men who did not
seem TO have discernment sufficient to
conduct their own business on business
principles.
One of the most conspicuous figures
n the Convention was Hon. j. VIM.
stokes, Congressman from the Seventh
District of South Carolina, and he was
made chairman of the committee on
ules and order.
The committee on resolutions suh-
nitted report, which was adopted
lftel an interesting discussion. The
'cport of the committee is given in full
elsewhere il our columns.
There was stirring debate OH the
,rol oscd adoption of the resolutions,
mi some were in favor of q separate
but the futility and
langcr of such movement were so
strongly presented that the opposition
TO the adoption Of the resolutions was
checked and they were passed by un-
vote.
To Mr.. l.. II. o. Martin Is due
arge share in solving the problems
which confronted tho convention, and
the resolutions adopted endorsing the
American Cotton Growers Protective
Association were drawn up at his sug-
gestion and made part Of the report
of the committee.
One of the finest speeches of the
evening was that delivered by Hon.
Hector ID. Lame, pi PRESIDENT of the
American Cotton Growers Protective
Association, in defense of that organi.
zation, after references had been
made by other speakers as to what
it had or had not accomplished
In the most forciblc terms he re-
hearsed the great good that had been
done through the organized efforts of
the members of the Association, and
ho effectually silcnced all criticism on
the labors and accomplishments of the
Association since its organization in
1894.
Taken as a whole the Convention
vas made up of as fine bUly of planters
and men interested in agricuitur II
Affairs as ever gather in any city in the
South, and they were loud in their
praises of The hospitality of Atlanta.