The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1899-06-27
AFTER THE TRUSTS.


Mills, in Navarro county, Texas, ]
herewith enclose a brief summary of
the plan of organization and obligation
adopted May %, 1890.
Believing that in union there is
strength, we pledge to each other our
mutual support and hearty CO opera
tlon by uniting in an organization to
De known as the Farmers Protective
aud Anti trust Union.
Section 1 declares the 'aim, object
and intention of this untion to be for
the mutual protection Of the farmers
and cotton raisers from the blighEing
IL fuence and power cf the round bale
cotton trust in particular and all other
trusts, monopolies, syndicates and
combines Of whatever name, character
or formation, the workings of which
are detrimental to the interests of the
producers of the products of the coil
which constitutes ell wealth, and
which tend to destroy honest competi
lion IN trade and commerce"
Section 4 declares that ''all persons
who ere opposed to trusts and monop
olies IL any and all forms, and who be
lieve in honest competition in trade,
and who believe in the inalienable
rights of man to life, liberty and the
pursuit Of happiness as guaranteed the
citizens of this great republic by the
Constitution, and who are willing to
subscribe to the obligation hereinafter
set forth, are eligible to membership
in thi3 union"
The following is the obligation:
I'VE, whose names are hereunto
subscribed, do most solemnly obIigate
ourselves not to encourage, support or
patronize the round bale cotton syg-
tenn in any way, shape or form, and
we further agree to patronize our home
gins and ginners with the fat bale,
provided that our ginners will reduce
their presses to conform to the uniform
or standard bale Of 24254 inches, and
we further agree that we will not in,
sist or require our gin men to use or
put in any more cotton than is neces,
sary to make an average weight bale
of SEQ pounds,"
The obligation was signed by nearly
every man present. R J. Wright was
electea President; r f. Johnson, Vice
Preeident; Sam @. French, Secretary
Treasurer. A committee, consisting
of S Ponder and r J. Davis, was
appointed to organize the colored
farmers of our precinct.
This organization is not temporary
affair, but will continue in existence as
long as there is trust to fl ght, or until
our State Cfficers shall have enforced
the constitutional laws Of our State
and have driven all monopolities and
trusts from our beloved 5tate.-Sam
@. French, in Texas Farm and Ranch.
It seems that our farmers are slow
to take advantage of opportunities
offered, as was shown in the early days
Of peanut culture, remarks the Ply
mouth, N. q, Beacon.
For years the farmers across the line
in Virginia had been growing peanuts
with great SUCCESS and financial profit.
Our section, equally adapted to the
culture Of this crop, was afraid to
plant, only on small scale, for few
years. During these years the acreage
incret SD rapidly in Virginia, aud
when our farmers began to cultivate
the peanut as a money crop the price
had started down, and as our farmers
increased the acreage, producing as
fine peanuts was ever placed on the
market, the price decreased until now
they hardly pay for the cultivation.
Peanuts becoming an Improbable
crop, the farmers Of Virginia and of
central North Carolina began the cuI-
tivation of tobacco. Every where the
tobacco has been grown it has enriched
the farmers as we'll as all other classes.
AS in the case of the peanut, our farm,
ers were, and are yet, assured that the
lands of Eastern Carolina are adapted
to it's growth, but it seems that our
people are 10th to give up cotton and
peanuts, and go on making themselves
poorer each year. After it is too late;
after the price has been forced down
by trusts and monopolies, aided by the
production, our farmers will
go into tobacco growing with a ven,
geance.
Friends, we are too slow; we are
to let others make the expert
ments and reap the reward.
Friends, Eastern North Carolina is
equal to any section, but we cannot
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