The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-09-28
Address Of Col. Youmans Before
the Convention Of Cotton
Growers.


The Cotton Growers convention
was held last night in the county
court house and the meeting was full
of interest to those who attended.
The reduction OF the acreage OF cot.
ton was the question that attracted
the attention of the delegates.
Col. L. w. Youmans of Barnwel!,
made an interesting address. The
following is the speech in full:
Gentlemen of the Cotton Growers
Convention:
You doubtless remember the oc-
casion that called the growers of cot
ton to meet in State convention
then an interstate convention-at
Atlanta. At The convention it was
resolved to enter the Cotton Growers
Protective con gention that was called
to meet at Memphis by Hon. Hector
D. Lime. The Atlanta convention
adjourned without taking any de-
cisive stand. but sent delegates to
Memphis for the next week conven-
ton, which met and re, elected Mr..
Lane president. But, unfortunately
for the cotton interests of the south,
the health of Mr.. Lane failed and be
could not push the work as was ex
pected by his friends.
At a recent convention of the vice.
presidents from the cotton growing
State, in Memphis, MIR. Maxwell OF
Louisiana was elected as president.
1t is hoped that this organization
of Cotton Growers union will ac-
complish much toward and organiza-
ton that will be of inestimable bene-
fit to the cotton interest of the south.
When I approach the subject my
heart almost fails me, because within
and around this subject dwells in
terest that more minutely and
intensely touch the happiness Of our
people than that Of any half dozen
interests combined.
We see every other interest COM
bining and uniting as corporation,
trust, or something of the kind. And
here we stand tonight, disorganized,
disbeartened and in dispair.
Shall we like dumb driven cattle
not open our mouths? God forbid.
We must act; we must organize and
act.
I have called this convention at the
request of many earnest men. Every
one has been invited to bring or
send their plans and suggestions. l
will not submit a plan tonight; in
stead, I think we need organization,
and through this organization the
object can be obtained.
Be not deceived; it will take
money to push this matter, and if
you desire to push this subject we
must at this meeting provide for
funds to push organization.
There are many propositions to be
submitted. I desire to submit that
the reduction in acreage is the thing
to be desired. It must be obtained
By unity of action, and 1 desire to
press the idea that individual action
is greatly to be depended upon.
While in attendance at the Atlanta
convention the proposition was made
by Prof. Hunnicut that each individ-
ual member present sign pledge to
reduce his individual cotton crop. To
my surprise, it seemed to create as
much commotion as a 13 inch shell
would have done.
It has been stated that our con-
yention has not intended to reduce
the acreage. I deny this most en-
phatically. But we have much more
to do, and must proceed to a greater
reduction.
If reduction is not reached to q
greater extent, the cotton grower
should be prepared to take 4 cents