The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-11-08

| products on the market. A change IN
the manner OF marketing this great
money crop is absolutely demanded.
The present system of selling gives the
| advantage to the buyer, and leaves the
individual producer absolutely as clay
in the hands of the potter. Let Us
agree to have say in selling Our pro-
| duce.
We propose 10 obtain within our own
ranks and for the Protection of the
producer CORE statistical information
| in regard to the true condition of the
! cotton crop, prior to and DUNG the
| period of harvesting in order to ascef-
| tain s nearly as possible the amount
| of crops to be harvested, and the secro-
| taries Of local subOrgGniZations in Va
rious townships will be kept in touCa
with the producers, and weekly reports
mailed TO headquarters. indicating eI-
| listing conditions as compared with
previous years, estimating the pvoba-
| Bile amount Of cotton to be harvested
in such neiShborhoods. This method
| will clso apply to cotton acreage in the
spring, and the 1mount Of fertilizera
acrrally used under the crop. showing
the condition Of the growing crop. dur.
:Nc he period of growth. Ginners ara
expected to aid us.
FIXING PRICE.
The Association being; in possession
of these facts and knowing the amouns
of cotton to be produced, based upon
the most reliable statistics, will be in
position to fix a fair price for raw
| IL. ~ nrfC
fixing the price, however, we propose
to find out the true amount OF Amerl-
can cotton required for consumption
in twelve months, and the price Of the
finished fabric offered-Tith correct IN
formation of amount Of cotton to be
haryested-the number Of bales requir-
ed for consumption by mills, the price
OF cotton goods, and it will be an easy
natter to determine a fair price foI
the raw material.
OBTAINING THE PRICE.
To get just price from the buyer OF
our cotton, it will be essential to fur
nish the supply commensurate with the
demand. This can only be done by
marketing the crop through longer
period of time and furnishing spinners
with stock as needed. Here is where
we seek and are entitled to the aid OF
the banker. Cotton properly warehous-
ed and insured is as good security as
a government bond. We now have an
opportunity Of becoming complete
masters OF the situation. There will
be no surplus carried over till next
year. The mills in all parts OF the
Nf ontf0n NaUpr he
there existed greater demand for cot
ton goods. The mills must have raw
cotton which will be in our possession
and If we know and demand its true
value it will be paid The world is
now face to face with cotton famine,
If demands keep pace with the last
twelve months. The mills consumed
II 100 900 bales during the past twelve
months, made up of 100000 bales
surplus carried over from the crop Of
1898 and the 100000 harvested in
1899.
The latest move has been for the
spinners to combine and shut down for
sixty days, go as to stagnate trade and
depress present prices Of raw cotton.
The question for you to determine is
whether you, after knowing the situa-
tion, are prepared to stand and deliver
and be dictated to by organizations
miles away.
Fellow citizens, such is not your his
tory and should not be your policy, bat
we should meet organization with Cr'
ganization. For want Of organization
compactly formed you are being fleec-
ed to the great detriment of your
homes and families.
The cotton seed combination is an
other organization that should be dealt
with in the same measure, by united
action, and with the same force they
attempt to use against us. They meet
and agree to give certain price. Let
US agree that we will only sell for
certain price our cotton seed. AS 1t Is
now, the politeness of Rob Roy is not
even in vogue, when they take our
cotton seed.
The secretary, ]. R. Blake, then read
the minutes of the last meeting, which
were approved.
Mr.. ]. H. McCalla, Of Abbeville, was
first to address the chair. He agreed
with the objects Of the meeting, be
did not see how anything could be donS
unless the Southern farmers agreed tt
control the output Of cotton.
Congressman A. c. Latimer said he
had never seen anything practical in
point and had heard nothing practical
| tonight. Unless there was something
definite in view it is useless to organ
i7e.
Mr.. R. NJ. Cross said there was no
good in organization unless the lien
| law were repealed.
This did not create any sensation.
Mr.. S. H. McGhee, of Greenville, said