The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-12

Mr.. j. p. Williams May BE Invited
Before the Legislature.


The uniform classification of cotton and
the establishment OF bonded warehouses
are questions which viii be presented TO
the next session OF the legislature. The
passage of bills providing for the carrying
out Of these proposed reforms win be uTg-
ed by prominent cotton factors and pro-
dueers over the state, and the chances of
success are promising if thorough aglta-
ton counts for anything.
Mr.. ]. p Williams, who was probably
the first TO suggest the adv'sabihty of a
uniform classification of cotton, and of the
establishment Of bonded warehouses, and
who has given much time to an inter
change of thought with the best posted
men on this subject in Georgia, believes
that bills providing for both reforms win
be passed without doubt. That the people
want both measures passed is evidenced
by the general interest which has been
manifested since the matter was brought
fairly to their attention. The farmers have
seen the futile effect of other measures
which have been proposed from time TO
time to bring about an increase in the
price of cotton, and the fact all other plans
have failed accounts for the great inter est
the farmers are taking in the present agi-
tation.
When the legislature convenes the
chances are that Mr.. Williams may be
invited to place before it in behalf OF
those interested in these measures the
full details and plans by which ii is
thought they can best be carried out. The
fact Mr.. Williams has taken the pains TO
acquaint himself with all features of the
proposed measures will doubtless help in
getting them properly and effectively pre-
scented to the legislature. Upon the pre-
sentation rests the chances of their being
faVorabiy considered.
THE farmers of Georgia have awakened
to the fact that they can help themselves
only by organizing and working together
for the profitable marketing of their prod
ucts," said Mr. Williams to a Morning
News reporter with this in view, farm
ers' Institutes are being organized in diff
| ferent localities of the state, am inform
ed, the general object of which is to have
| farmers work together for their mutual
! benefit. / am informed more directly that
one of the main objects is to enable them
/ to better market their products. The dis
astrous prices which have been prevailing
! for the past few years for cotton are
! spreading discomfort among the farming
| classes, and they are beginning to get
! themselves together 20 fight these condi-
| lions in an intelligent manner. These in
| stitutes will prove a great help TO the
/ farmer for the reason they are being or
| ganized in the proper way. Having fail
| ed utterly in accomplishing anything when
! organized under the Farmers Alliance
| they have determined not to base the pres
ent organization on any of the principles
! advocated by that organization. Politics
will be discarded, as l understand IL, and
| the united efforts of farmers will be di-
rected to their mutual betterment, instead
| of devoting their time to political mat
ters. Instead of travelling miles from
home to attend political conventions, they
win get together at their homes and con-
fer upon matters for their financial BET
| terment
1.-THE wide scope which has been given
| 10 the agitation for uniform classification
and the establishment Of warehouses
means that the farmers all over the state
| are interested in these matters" he con-
tinued. Il believe they will work together
for the passage of bills providing for these
| reforms, realizing that in them alone lie;
| the prospect for obtaining better prices
for cotton. Warehouses close to Other
buildings, so that the insurance rate viii
be high. is not what is wanted. If the
state is to take these matters in hand
and 1 believe it will, the Interests of the
farming classes must be kept steadily il
view Every detail must be carefully
weighed The movement means a fight by
the state to protect it's farmers and il
| every detail is not properly planned ana
successfully carried out, the success de
sired may not be achieved"