The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1898-11-05
A PLAN or SALVATION.

the present cotton crisis, which i
well worthy Of reproduction IF
full; but its length, and press q.
other matter precludes its entire
publication. The article faces the
situation calmly, admitting its
gravity, and making the startling
claim that at present figures cot.
ton growing and bankruptcy are
synonymous terms.
Mr.. Scott takes the position
that "the salvation of the cotton
grower demands substantial re-
duction in next years crop" and
in order to bring it about suggests
a call to be made by President f.
l.. Maxwell, assembling n con
gress Of cotton producers to he
held not later than Dec, 10. The
object Of this organization should
be to effect Il reduction in cotton
acreage; and to this end the follow
ing form of pledge is offered, for
signature by every cotton pro-
ducer in attendance:
"We, the undersigned cotton
growers of ............. county
in the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., hereby
promise ON honor
"First-That we will, during
the year 1899, reduce the cotton
acreage on all lands owned or con-
trolIed by us not less than twenty
(20) per cent, as compared
with the acreage seeded to cotton
thereon during the previous year,
and violation Of this promise, in
letter or spirit, shall be punished
by all the public opprobrium it
would richly deserve.
"Second-If we should rent our
lands or cultivate any part thereof
on shares with others, we promise
to make proper provision for Il re-
duction in Gotten acreage TO the
extent above mentioned.
"Third-This promise, however
Is made with the distinct under
standing that it shall become null
and void, unless the President Of
the Southern Cotton Growers
Protective Association shall, on or
before March !, 1898, publish a
statement over his signature, de-
cIaring that, in his opinion, a suf-
fcient number OF signatures have
been secured to an agreement
similar to this to materially re-
duce, if fairly complied with, the
cotton acreage of the South for the
year 1898.
Fourth-The foregoing promise
or pledge should be circulated by
competent men hired for the pur-
pose at a reasonable salary, and
care should be taken to insure a
thorough and systematic canvass,
but of every producer who owns
or controls farm, no matter how
limited his acreage. We empha-
size the statement that this labor
should be performed by men re-
gularly employed for the purpose,
on a business basis, because in that
way only will the work be thor
oughly and promptly done. In
fact. every one employed by the
Association should be paid a fail
and reasonable price for his ser
vices, excepting only the president,
the vice-president for the severa.
states, and the managers for eact
county. These Offices should be
honorary, and the incumbent'
should serve pro bono publico,
which they could well afford to do,
without neglect of or detriment t(
their usual avocations.
Fifth-The county managers
should report not later than Feb
ruarv 10th to the vice president
land also to the president direct,
sending duplicates of the agree
ment above mentioned, with his Ger
fcate of what per centage of th'
cotton acreage OF MS county j
represented by the signature
thereunto attached, and his opin
ion as to the effect the agreemen
will have in reducing the cottol
acreage of '99 within the limits O.
his county"
The situation is so serious tina
some energetic steps must b
taken to rsmedy it. Curtailmen
of acreage is the most reasonabl
means of securing the needle
change. 1t can only be brough
about, by concert of action, and
it is possible to accomplish this
must be by such a means as that pre-
Ia tbo ohovp nlan. AT n