The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-29
!. THE COTTON STATES
IN SESSION HERE
An Address by Hon. James
Wilson.
ADDRESSES OF WELCOME
Were Delivered by Gov. Russell, r. N.
simms and Comr Patterson.
RESPONSES BY WHITE AND REOHEAD
The Presidents Report Was Well Written, and
Was Spread Upon the Minutes Of The
Meeting, as Also Secretary
Daniels REPORT.

The program of the Cotton States
Commissioners Convention today is
as follows:
IL a. m.-Routine business. Report
of standing committees.
Discussion: "Soil Survey in the
Southern States" by Prof. Milton
Whitney, of Washington, ID. G.
Discussion: What is the best
method of Conducting Experiments
to Determine the Fertilizer Require
mefts of Different Plants and Soils"
by%Col. r. j. Redding, of Georgia;
Prof. b. w. Kilgore, of North Caro-
lima, ...s ID ,,kA a |.
Adjournment.
xy4:3o p. m.-Report of special COM
mitee on Uniform Fertilizer Guaran
tees and Branding of Fertilizer Bags;
Prof. r. w. Kilgore, chairman.
= Election of officers.
= Adjournment.
=. s p. m.-Illustrated Lecture: Roads
and Road making, State Geologist
Holmes, of North Carolina.
The new auditorium of the Agricul-
tural Department had it's christening
meeting yesterday when the Cotton
States Convention of Commissioners
of Agriculture met in it's annual ses-
sion.
The hall was surprise to all who
had not seen it before, and is the
most lastly arranged and best venti-
lated auditorium of the city. The
aisles are carpeted, and it is furnish
ed with 275 improved opera chairs,
though by packing the aisles it will
hold as many as $50 people.
Exactly at II o'clock Mr.. o. B.
Stevens, the president of the associa-
ton raped and called the meeting to
order. The gavel used is made from
1ygnum vitae and will not split I'M
der any. circumstances.
Dr. NJ NJ Marshall, pastor of Christ
Church of this city offered a fervent
prayer.
MIR. Stevens then introduced Gov
ernor Russell, who was to deliver the
address of welcome in behalf of the
State. In welcoming the delegates
+ Governor Russell referred to the
pleasure of having the representatives
of so great constituency present. He
spoke of the great Importance of the
agricultural interests; that while the
South was mistaken when she sup
posed "Cotton was King" when pro-
state elsewhere to be manufactured,
but still we will subdue the earth
and control markets by means of our
cotton facilities. But" said he, 'we
must quit giving the world cotton at
five cents when we can give it to it
in a better form at twenty cents"
A few years ago the cotton manufac-
turers of New England and Old Eng
land could Sneer at our attempts to
rival them, but the time has come
when they realie our possibilities in
this line. We are making the world S
greatest plant. The cotton seed, for
merly rofted for fertilizer, now con-
stitutes about one-third the value of
the cotton crop.
Speaking of the necessity of intel
ligent labor on the farm he said no
great results could be accomplished
with machine in the hands of the
son of a slave who takes it and
breaks it.
Mr.. r. n. Simms welcomed the con-
vention on behalf of the city. He
said he welcomed them on behalf of
as noble and hospitable people as
ever breathed, and speaking for them
he bid the convention welcome and
God speed. But that if the committee
physical fitness of the thing they
would not have placed him on the
program to follow His EXcellency, as
it was too much case of before and
after taking. 1t was fit that King
Cotton's Commonwealth should con
suit for their common interest, for
they had shared together the horrors
of war and the devastation of recon
struction. together they had retriev-
ed their fallen fortunes. survived the
gloom of sectional hate, and now
stood solid nhalanx. the mightiest
force for the preservation of the prin-
ciples upon which our Republic is
founded. The speaker paid an elo-
Quent tribute to the farmer, and the
address was we'll received
Mr.. Patterson then made the visit
ors welcome in the name of the De-
partment. This address was original
" intended to have been delivered by
Col. John S. Cunningham, but he is
detained at home owing to death
Tin the family.
u Mr.. Patterson said that it was m
necessary to say that he was glad to
see them, that those who remember
ed how he button-holed and besought
them to hold this session here. would
come. He had promised them to show
them large results, and intended to
keen his promise. He invited them
to look through the museum. which
was the best pulse of the States pro-
rress. and see it's varied resources.
His address was arplauded. and tho
showed how high he stands in the
estimation of his fellow Commission
ers.
Prof. IT. G. White of Georgia. then
responded in behalf OF the visitors.
He said that to each of the sneakers
who had 50 warmly and eloouently
welcomed them on behalf IF their '"-
respective constituencies he extend
81 grateful thanks. This organi7a-
ton has arisen from q desire on tn"
part of these officers that thev NO.
more fully discharged their duties. it