Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1900-07-29
SUMTER'S FARMERS
STAND TOGETHER
In Demand of Better Prices for Their
Cotton
HUNDREDS HEAR THE SPEECHES
Delivered Here by Hon. Pope Brown
and Hon. Harvie Jordan Upon The
Subject of Better Prices for Their
Cotton Next Fall.


The farmers of Sumter are going to
stand together in an effort to obtain a
fair price for their cotton crop, and
with farmers throughout the cotton
belt will put consumers upon notice
that in future the toilers will have
something to do with fixing the price
of the staple they produce. In union
there is strength, and they propose to
stand squarely together in this great
popular movement.
This fact was evidenced at the great
meeting of farmers here yesterday,
The spacious auditorium of the city
hall was crowded TO its capacity when
Captain John A. Cobb, as chairman,
introduced Hon. Harvie Jordan, of
Jasper county, president of the Cotton
Growers Protective Association, who
first addressed this large and repreaen-
tatiYe meeting.
1.-The Better Price of Cotton" was
the interesting theme discussed
Mr.. Jordan told of the birth of the
movement at the meeting IN Macon,
where he was elected president. He
told of its growth in every Southern
state and particularly in Georgia,
where organization was about perfect
ed. In many counties there were sub
organizations, as there will be in
Sumter.
The state organization should see to
the organization of sub organizations
in the counties. The first work of the
association would be the gathering of
correct statistics and information.
This information could be had from the
secretary of the sub. organizations.
This should be started when the crop
was planted. Reports should go in
weekly or monthly.
In this manner, Mr.. Jordan said,
when the crop was ready to market the
farmers would be thoroughly posted on
statistics.
In addition, the ginners would be in
vited to the association and they would
send information as to the number of
bales ginned. These statistics would
be absolutely correct. At the close
of the ginning season they would know
to bale what the crop was.
The next step would be to fix the
price. The men who buy our cotton
will not buy it at it's true value so long
as they fix the price.
At this stage, to control the price
would require the cooperation of the
bankers. The Georgia bankers had
promised their hearty cooperation,
and would advance literally upon cot
ton until such time as the farmer
thought he could sell it to advantage.
The bankers and merchants, he said,
were heartily in this movement.
These, in brief, were the main points
in President Jordans address. He
showed familiarity with all questions
pertaining to the interest of cotton
growers.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Jordan's adj
dress Chairman Cobb introduced Hon.
Pope Brown, president of the State
Agricultural Society and one of the
most extensive and successful farmers
IN Georgia and a thorough man of the
people. His very genial presence
caught the audience from the begin
ming.
And for fifty minutes he had the
close attention of everyone present.
President Brown said he was no
speaker, but liked to hear farmers talk
and never had he attended a meeting
without being benefited. He wanted
to "get down amongst the hearers"
which point he brought out by well
relating an amusing anecdote. He was
for organization among farmers, and
his heart was In this movement for
their general benefit.
It was not, he said, political move
ment like the Farmers Alliance, but q
purely business matter founded upon
business principles. 1t should and
would succeed.
He wanted to see revival of Geor-
gas agricultural interests. Farmers,
Mr.. Brown said, had something to do
besides follow mule and hoe cotton.
Reinforcement presentedan opportuni-
ty for the improvement of their condi-
ton. If they do not stand together,
he said, they could not hope to sue
ceed. They would still be the prey of
the European cotton spinner.
He went over many of the facts
brought out by Mr.. Jordan, interspers-
ing his remarks with anecdotes appli-
cable to the subject discussed and
which greatly entertained all.
When President Brown finished
speaking a sub-organization for Sum-
ter county was effected. Mr.. Thomas
B. Hooks was elected president, Mr.
j. L. Page vice president, aud Mr..
Frank Sheffield secretary and treas
urer. A large number of names were
enrolled and hundreds of others will
| be added. It is popular movement