The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-01-26
The FARMERS MUST ORGANIZE.

The FARMERS MUST ORGANIZE.
An Ez Editor OF ths cotton Plant IS
Pleased With tho y. W VI Msnegemept.
Editor Cotton Plant:
I confess taydiuess in fulfilling my
promise to you and to myself to write
something for the columns Of the Cot
ION Plant. My ta.diness has not been
wholly without excuse, however. My
time has been full, as you may well
imagine with an energetic contest for
my seat TO several cotton growers con
vsntions to attend as delegate, aud an
Alliance warehouse matter in my own
county IN addition to my regular Con
gressional duties. Then, too, there
has been no lack of wholesome and
seasonable matter in your columns TO
suggest need of a contribution from
ne or anyone beside your regular
contributors Not only has there been
abundance OF good matter suitable to
the needs aud taste OF the special con-
stituance you CATER for, but there has
oesn matter suitable for people gen
erally-for instruction, uggestioD,
for entertainment. Under these cir.
cumstances is it surprising that there
was little difficulty in persuading my.
self intoa rostponemnt OF what as
sumed almost the aspectof duty.
Now, that have started, you may
have to invoke the sense o. Guty to
stop. In most Of US, particularly those
who write occasionally, the starting
sense is, clearer and more sc.ively as
sertiye than the stopping sense. What,
ever msy be lacking ia my other
senses, however, 7 have sense enough
to take a irierdly hint, without of
tense, when am talkip g too much, so
you need not hesitate 10 give me the
wink whs never i: seems time y.
wish particularly TO congratulate
you upon the enterprise displayed in
respect to the several cotton growers
conventions held recently.
I don't understand The apparent IN
difference OF many OF our hume papers
to these Efforts of cur farmers 10 help
themselves in a period OF sore distress.
Is it because they have no faith in the
measures proposed, or disapproTe these
measures, CT lsck sympathy with the
farmers distres:2 am lo!h to believe
they lack ympathy, and yeta mat
ters stand, i! might be worth while
for these papers to explain their real
attitude toward this effort of the farm
ers to organize for defense. 1; they
don't sympath;ze with the distress of
their subscr bers why don't they sly
so? Ii they have valid objections TO
the propositions under conslderalioGs
why don't they state them by discus
sion and helo 10 make better plans2
The farmers should ssk why this is,
thus.
. will give you right here, Mr. Edi-
tor, little private tip-ind now aJl
you cotton growers listen, for l em
going to let the editor pass it down to
you. We did not pnblish all we did
a. Atlanta and at Memphis. It would
have been u'ani,estly unwise to DO SO.
I. would have given the gamblers
something to chew on and plan for.
Did you notice at the close Of the re-
port OF the committee on resolutions,
OF which was chairman an innocent
locking little prov ision fer a Bureau
OF Information2 Well, thereby hangs
tale which it is not expeoient, now
to un'oldina of that isle will come
Later. Taose charged with that mat
ter will act wisely, l doubt not Let
US farmers now prcc2ed to oraariZe
thoroughly as suggested in the report
and be IN shape IL receive the unfold
ing Of that taie with bene &: to our
selves and confusion to cur parasite
enemies. Plant abal dant provision
crops for man and bsast, and after
making sure on this point, raise al
the cotton We can, but MAKE sure on
this point. TIE organization is cf 6Ist
importance, however.
1t was gratifying TO ne to have the
endorsement OF both conventions for
myan,i-gambl bling bill. If2Il the people
interested will demand the passage Of
this bill it will pass beyond doubt.
No.hiDg short of this bill, or some
thing like il. will strike down the
gambling in cotton which lies at the
root Of low prices. O .ner expedienls
Will prove slotull, but they are only
exoedienis, makeshifts, SO loDg as the
tap root Of the trouble remains. TIE
Alliances should send in their d.
mands for some such legislation-it is
one Of their original demands. Ire
PEA. if the people interested in better
prices for cotton and ether agricullu-
ri producs will mske known their
demand for legislation IN shape for
use before the committee on agricul
ture they will get what they want.
If they are Indifferent, We who are
trying to get the needed relief Will bs
handicapped st the start
But l did not start Gu! to discuss
this question, Mr.. Z titor, yet what
more vital question is there for US to |
discuss2 There is cry Of dislress il
the land Over low prices of cotton !
Why no: discuss that which is uppcr
most IN minC?
III have devct:d tco much space 10 !
the cotton Sl.uatlon, ny excuse Is that !;
am deeply in earnesv. Oar people |
a-e IN d:s.rls;. They are reaching /
out in every direction for a helping |.
hand Ny mail is tl)cGed with ap |!
peaIs for relief. l sincerely desire 10
help. I have STUDIED the problem
like problem in algebra, and think
have the solution in the bill I rave
But lam ready 20 work
upon any Hna, every li2e that 'om;s
es any relief.
And now, Mr. Editor, lest cross
the dead linz If Lsay aGother wcr;,
l bid you God speed, and commenc
your efforts to the farmers of the
State. Yours for relief.
j. WN STOKES,
Or ;tburg, S. G.
Dc 25, 81.