Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-12-18

S6SSlOu-GIlt COmtul9lCC boV ho''nS 3
reported-but little was done and
during the third session there was
much discussion of the resolutions
reported by the committee.
A number of speeches were made
by Hector D. Lane and others; but
from the published reports in the At
lanta papers, it does not appear that
the Roddey plan was mentioned dur
ing the entire proceedings. The mem
hers of the convention appeared rath-
er to think that the Hector D. Lane
idea of acreage reduction was the only
means whereby they could hope to
secure relief.
The result of the convention is set
forth in the following address and
resolutions agreed upon just before ad.
|journment:
The Interstate cotton Growers Cen
yention, met and sitting in Atlanta,
December IA, 1897, having thoroughly
canvassed the situation of our indus.
try in all its many phases, promulgates
| lHt lOllOWluS SldVCLhShl ooN oNNA>SS
as the result of its deliberations:
l. The most pressing need of the
hour for the attainment of our ends is
thorough organization of the grow
ers of cotton, beginning with the in
dividual grower, however humble, and
reaching up through township, county,
state and interstate organizations. We
cordially commend the organization
over which Hon. Hector D. Lane ably
presides, and tender that body, at its
meeting in Memphis OH the goth in
slant, our cooperation in completing
the organization so well begun by it
several years ago. TO the end that
uniformity may exist throughout all
the states organized and to be organ
lied, we shall appoint committee OF
the body to consider all plans of or
ganization thai may be submitted at
this meeting, and mature a plan for
presentation to our brethren at Mem
phis, next week, through delegation
to be appointed by this meeting to rep
resent this convention at that body.
2. While not abating any OF our cou-
tentions that the monetary system OF
our country is at the foundation of our
difficulties, as it is at the bottom of the
depression in all industries, we hold
that there are deep-rooted evils pecu-
liar TO our industry that demand im-
mediate attention and remedy. And
of first importance among these as a
factor in depressing prices, is the spec
ulative control exercised over the price
of actual cotton through the unjust
rules and regulations of the Cotton
Exchange. The evil, we are con-
vinced, can be reached only by legis-
lation, and hence we pledge ourselves
and our organization to labor for the
needed legislative restriction of gam
bling in futures in our respective states
and in congress.
3. This evil being abolished or re-
duced to a minimum by proper legis-
lation, and the control of spot cotton
being thus restored to the producers
under the law of supply and demand,
as far as that law is allowed to operate
under vicious monetary system, We
deem it next in Importance that our
farms be made self-sustaining, in so
far as climate and soil conditions per-
NIT, and increase the amount of food
supplies. The cotton grower who
makes his supplies at home, is in a
large measure independent of the man
ipulator Of the spot cotton market.
4. The next source of loss is also
an important one but is entirely in
the control Of the grower, as is the
last one-diligent and careful atten-
tion to the preparation of our cotton
for the market. Thousands-yes, mil
lions-of dollars are lost annually to
the cotton grower through careless
handling of the cotton from the field
to the gin and press, and through use
of inferior covering. While our farm
ers fully understand this, this meeting
would neglect an important responsi-
bility if it failed to call attention 10
this source of loss and urge correction
of the evil.
We further recommend the estab-
lishment of an information bureau.
Resolved, That this convention in
dorse the organization known as the
American Cotton Growers Protective
association as it is already in exist
ence, and is working for the same OBJ
jecls for which we are assembled, the
reduction of the acreage and increase
of the price Of cotton, and the cor
rection of the evils Of speculation and
others that oppress the producer that
we give our Endorsement TO the Amer.
lean Cotton Growers Protective asso-
citation.
Resolved further, That we suggest
to the meeting of the American Cotton
Growers Protective association, at its
meeting in Memphis next week, that
the president Of each state Organiza-
lion shall be vice-president of the
national association.
Resolved further, That such vice
presidents appoint presidents of county
organizations, to be formed in all the
counties of the states where cotton is
grown, 50 that the organization may
be SO perfected that the decisions ar
rived at by the association may be
carried out throughout all the cotton
growing section Of the United States