The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-01-16
THE TOBACCO GRO,, nRS' con
NE\TIOE.
" ebster's w eekly.

Websters Weekly
The convention Of tobacco growers to
be hold in Raleigh next Wednesday, the
18th inst, promises to be a large and
notable gathering. From every quarter
ave hear Of a lively interest being man
ifested by the farmers in the object of
the meeting. 1t is 4 farmers movement.
They realize that the time for action has
arrived and are determined to lay aside
petty prejudices ard political differences
and make an effort to better their condi-
ton. IheJ have no warfare to make up
on any legitimate interest or enterprise
They do not begrud.se the manufacturer
the profit he honestly makes in his busi-
ness. He is entitled to the fruits OF his
energy and skill. Whatever value he
adds to the raw product by converting it
into form that VIII make it sought
after in the markets OF the world should
be his to enjoy. All that they ask is Il
fair show
Every Intelligent and wel-informed
person muSt conccde THAT the tobacco
growers have not had a fair chance since
1880. They have been the victims of the
most uncCnscionable trust ever organ
iZed Its greed is Unsuitable. The more
it steals, the more it wants to steal. The
IItlS nave StlDUIltttl 10 It's nfoTclicSS
eXactions the past ten years, but they
have reached point where they are
obliged 20 do something. Better prices
must be realized or tobacco culture VIII
have to be abandoned.
The alternative Of abandoning the
growth Of tobacco is very serious mat
ter. 1t is 10 light thing to tell 4 man
whose laud is peculiarly adapted to the
growth of tobacco, and whose training
has been all along that line. TO stop rails
ing that crop. As we'll tell the indie
pendent tobacco manufacturer who is be
ing crowded to the wall by the giant trust
to convert his plant into Il cotton mill.
or diversity his business by adding Il saw
mill or hrccches factory. Possibly the
manufaC turer Wculd succeed at some
thing else proitably. bat ii is better to
smash the thieving trusts and let all
CLASSES; devote their energies to that which
they are best suited by nature and train
Ing. Therefore We say that the indepen-
dent tobacco manufacturer should make
common cause with the togaccO grower in
this movement for self-prcservation.
If there is any plan by which the to-
bacco growers can act together as one
man for their common interest ANA bet
ter their condition. we hope it will be
adopted. Nothing can be adopted With
ont unity of effort and purpose. The far
mcrS must agree upon Il plan Of action
and then prosecute it with all possible
energy and determination. The trOu
bic" said q young farmer dscussin" this
matter last week. is that the farmers
will not held together But they've got
to or they'll hold to the ground replied
leading tobacco grower. That is the
situation in 4 nut shell. Wise old Ben
Franklin told the patriots OF l6 that ii
they didn't hang together they would
hang separately.
\ Rockingham farmer said to Us with
much earnestnesS 4 few days ago that if
Mr.. JOrdan'S plan was adopted, the trust
would not get any of his tobacco. even
if it raised the price to 4 dollar pound.
That is the right spirit. Whatever plan
the farmers agree on should have their
undivided support. 1t can be made i
SIIccpSS in no other way.