The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-01-26


pers to these efforts OF farmers to
help themselves in a period OF sore
distress. Is it because they have no
faith ia the measures proposed or
disapprove these measures, or lack
sympathy with the farmers distress?
I am 10th to believe that they lack
sympathy, and yet as matters stand
it might be worth while for these pa
pers to explain their real attitude to-
ward this effort of the farmers to Or
ganize for defense. If they don't
srmpathize with the distress of their
subscribers why don't they say so?
Il they have valid objections to the
propositions under consideration
why don't they state them by dis
cussion and help to make better
plans? The farmers should ask why
this is thus.
I will give you right here, Mr.. Edi-
tor, little private tip-and now all
you cotton growers listen, for l am
going to let the editor pass it down
to YOU. We did not publish all we
did at Atlanta and at Memphis. 1t
would have been manifestly unwise
to do so. It would have given the
gamblers something to chew on and
plan for. Did you notice at the close
of the report Of the committee on
resolutions, of which I was chairman,
an Innocent looking little provision
for Bureau of Information? Well,
thereby hangs a tale which it is not
expedient now to unfold. The un
folding Of that tale will come later.
Those charged with that matter will
act wisely, I doubt not. Let US far
mers now proceed to organize thor
oughly as suggested in the report
and be in shape to receive the un-
folding of that tale with benefit to
ourselves and confusion to our para
site enemies. Plant abundant pro-
vision crops for man and beast, and
after making sure on this point
raise all the cotton we can, but be
sure on this point. The organization
is of first Importance, however.
It was gratifying to me to have
the endorsement of both conventions
for my anti option bill. If all the
people interested will demand the
passage of this bill it will pass be-
yond a doubt. Nothing short of this
bill, or something like it, will strike
down the gambling in cotton which
lies at the root of low prices. Other
expedients will prove helpful, but
they are only expedients, makeshifts,
so long as the tap root Of the trouble
remains. The Alliances should send
in their demands for some such leg
islation-;s is one of their original
demands. repeat, if the people IN
terested on better prices for cotton
and other agricultural products will
make known their demands for legis-
lation in shape for use before the
committee on agriculture, they will
get what they want. If they are IN
different, we who are trying to get
the needed relief will be handicapped
at the start.
But I did not start out to discuss
this question, Mr.. Editor, yet what
more vital question is there for us to
discuss? There is cry of distress
in the land over low prices of cotton
Why not discuss that which is Up
permost in the mind.
If I have devoted too much space
| to the cotton situation, my excuse is
that I am deeply in earnest. Oal
people are in distress. They are
crying aloud for relief. They are
reaching out in every direction for q
helping band. My mail is flooded
with appeals for relief. I sincerely
d ,sire to help. I have studied the
problem like problem in Algebra
aud think I have the solution in tht
bill 7 have introduced. Bat I am
willing to work upon any line, every
line that promises any relief.
I And now, Mr.. Editor, lest [ cross
the dead line" if I say another word
I bid you God speed and commend
vovr etfolts TO the farmers Of tht
Safe. q