The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1899-09-06
VOL. xxx.

of cotton We keep poor, and if we fail
to make large crop we remain poor.
Some say our trouble is overproduc-
ton of cotton. If the depression in
agricultural interests was confined to
the South. I would think that an
swer was correct. But the West,
wheat and corn growing countries,
also complain of hard times. We are
t,ld to diversity our crops. What is
the use when combines are formed to
depress the price. The farmers
must combine and get others to join
with them in fighting the Trusts,
which are the ruination of our coun-
try. Our farmers are turning their
attention to tobacco, and already we
he If of Tobacco Trusts. We need
markets for what we raise. Our
towns must come to the aid of farm
ers. Let producers and consumers
come together. Let factories be
established in our towns and cities,
the farmers furnishing the raw ma
terial and the towns and cities doing
the manufacturing. We need
st,ict antitrust law. A law that
will invalidate claims OF Trusts, and
make it a crime to form a Trust.
The speaker closed his address by
elcquently appealing to the farmers
to come together and re-organize
their Alliances; that such organiza-
ton stood as bulwark between them
aad those who would Cypress them.
CONGRESSMAN LATIMER
was the next speaker introduced.
The chairman said: l now have the
honor of introducing to the audience
one whom many of you know. About
five or six years ago man compare
lively unknown, one who loved you
and came from the farm, appeared
as candidate and ran a successful
race. Mr.. Latimer is not man of
promises. He is man OF deeds.
The Third Congressional District of
South Carolina never sent to the
United States Congress a better and
more intelligent worker than A. G.
Latimer. Look at his record. See
what great things he has accomplish
ed. Think of his successful fight for
Newberry College. For the rural
population in establishing Rural Mail
Delivery and many postofices and
other advantages. Think of all these
things. See the results CT his efforts.
When have We ever had a man to do
so much. He is not only willing,
but has the peculiar talent Of know
ing how to work. Congressman
Latimer will now address you.
Mr.. Chairman, ladies and fellow
citizens: I hardly know what line of
thought to take this off year in poll
itics. In short while you will have
Senator Tillman to address you. I
have been a member of the Alliance
ever since it was first organized. 1
am a plain farmer, and never held
Office until you sent me to Congress.
I believe in the Alliance organization.
1t has done great good. We passed
the income tax in the House ct Rep
resentatives. It was an Alliance de-
mand. There never was a more just
law. Under the present arrange
ment the rich escape taxation to a
great extent, causing the burden Of
taxation to be unequally distributed.
| The income tax was intended to tax
the income of the rich. A Supreme
Court in the interest of capital de-
cided the income tax unconstitutional.
An anti option bill, intended to stop
gambling with your cotton crop, also
passed the House. The Senate did
not pass it. The Senate is made uI
principally of lawyers. A great
many of them are in the pay of rich
corporations. Unfortunately there
are few men there like our Senior
Senator. believe that he is tht
only farmer in the United States
Senate. The great agricultural in
terests in this country represented
by one single man. Yet the falmer'
are picking out men who can max
fine speeches, and sending them t.
the United States Senate. And
per cent. of such men are selling out
You need something else there be
sides fine speakers. Look at ou
war with the Fllipinos. What nee'
was there for that wal? We are toll
that God and destiny are on the sid
Of the Republican party in this wal
For what? Are not those peopl
fighting for their liberty as our fore
fathers fought here. God and de:
tiny directing Americans to 90 ther
and shoot religion into those mel