The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-10-22
ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS.
Purposes OF the Williamson County
Cotton Growers Union.

Purposes OF the Williamson County
Cotton Growers Union.
Several farmers met in the school house
In North Georgetown last Saturday even
Ing, the 10th, and organized the William
son County Cotton Growers union. w. T.
Rulings was elected president, and Joe H.
Foster secretary. The objects OF the union
are:
/. To secure some unity OF action be-
tween the cotton producers.
2. To devise some plan whereby better
prices can be obtained.
The secretary was requested to furnish
copies OF the following aSlresc to the va
rious country papers, with the request that
they publish the same in the interest OF
their readers who are interested In the cot
ton crop as source of money supply:
To the Cotton Growers Of Williamson
County:
knowing that for several years past the
cotton crops Of the South have been grown
and put on the market at price far be-
low the cost of production. and realizing
that II such condition much longer ex-
lists II will place us in such a helpless
financial condition that it will be impos-
sible to extricate ourselves.
We realize most forcibly the conditions
which surround US. and the depths of the
degradation to which we have been forced
we realize that some concert OF action
Is OF pressing moment, not to US only,
but to every producer In the South. We
regard the organization OF this union be-
tween the producers Of cotton as very nee
essary to our future welfare, and knowing
that we can not desist from raising it and
live, as cotton Is the money crop OF the
South. and 1t is folly to endeavor to sub
stitute something else In its stead.
Conditions are such that we are not able
to compete with the Western or North.
western farmers in the production of hogs
| and cattle nor can We raise grain in COM
| petition with them Our only hope for
better times is in enhancing tho price OF
our products. II we do not get it, and soon,
| bankruptcy and ruin stares the landlord In
| the face and beggary or starvation will be
| the portion OF the luckless tenant.
| We appeal to every cotton producer Ia
| unite with us in determined effort to
get better prices for the products of our
| toll; to place their NAMES on the roll oil
| this union; to pledge themselves to give to
| no person or firm mortgage on their cot
| ton: to plant such home supply crops a.
| will suffice for their needs then PLAN
| all the cotton they can, put fair price or
II and hold It for that price. or let It ro
before taking less
We feel assured that II there ever ex.
listed time when some decisive stant
should be taken now is that time. Wher
famine and pestilence has diminished thu
crop In the old world, when floods In somt
sections and drouth in others have re-
duced the crop to far below the average
we see the prise daily getting lower ant
lower, and the crops passing into the hand
| OF speculators who IN many instances ad
yistd those who were fortunate enough las
wear to be out Of debt to hold 1t, as thu
price would Ego VI"
We realize, too, that a few gamblers II
cotton meet In their gilded exchanges ant
nut the prices on long In advance OF tn
time we plant.
We believe that IN union there
strength. and n a respectable majority 0
the cotton raisers win Join with us ind ac
as their better Judgment will dictate. Their
is no opposition they can not overcome o.
interference but what can be cast aside
and the days OF our poverty viii soon end
II the producers will but look around an
see the possibilities that are theirs. an
the power they have: II they will exer
, II and act in a Systematic and determine'
way. we can assurcdly control the pric
OF that which our handlwork has created
We pray your cooperation In THIS mat
ter and respectfully ask all those inter
ested ir the lettering OF their condition
10 1oIn with IN In our union. TO thos
who will do co. send your name and al
dress To the secretary for enrolment, an
meet with us on Saturday, November L
1897 In Georgetown, for the purpose OF
general consultation.
Williamson County Cotton Growers Union
Joe H. Foster. Secretary.
The following resolution was nnanimous
resolved. BY the williamson County Cot