The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-10-30
GROWERS
Major w. A. Graham, Was
Elected President.
The Convention Elected Delegates 10 The South
ern Association 10 Meet al Macon,
Georpia.

CFrom Fridays News and Observer
Mai. W. A. Graham was elected presi-
dent of the Cotton Growers Association OF
North Carolina last night. and Mr.. J. p.
Allison, of Concord. was elected secre-
tarv.
These elections were made upon the
recommendation of a ommitte appointed
by the former meeting OF the Association,
which is this year made a part OF the Cot
ton Growers OF the South.
Col. John S. Cunningham. OF Person
county, called the meeting to order. and
in a few terse sentences explained the
object Of the meeting. His appearance
on the platform was cheered. He an
nounced the nominations which had been
made by the committee, and the nomina-
tons were unanimously ratified by the
Association.
Mr.. T. B. Parks. of Hillsboro. and the
newspaper men present were requested TO
act as secretaries Of the meeting.
Mr.. r. H.. Battle, Gen. w. K. Cox and
Mr.. S. l.. Patterson were Sc
lected to escort the newly elect
ed president to the chair. This was
done amid applause, and after being con-
Quoted OF the chair. President
Graham delivered a very spirit
ed, though practical address. He began
by saying that it was pleasant to have
the confidence Of our fellows. and to be
considered worthy to hold an important
position. Il thank you" said he. for
this expression of your confidence, and I
accept this office of trust at your hand.
But l came here for no purpose of la
mentation. / am tired of that sort Of
thing. There is no reason for it, we have
no vengeance to Wrpak and no harm TO
do any one. In a spinners meeting you
will not hear them sit down and wall and
tell how bad they have been licked in the
past, and how bad they expect to get
licked in the future. We are here to
devise a way to get a just and reasonable
price for our product.
ITO do this we must unite. We must
work Systematically. We must start in
and bring our people up to this. But by
intelligent combination, we can so market
our crops at an advantage. Each sec
ton should have its place to distribute
it's goods. | don't urge the organization
of a trust, but we have a right to expect
a reasonable compensation for our labor.
1t can be done on sound business princi-
pies, and in a way to work harm to no
one. If we will unitedly act, wisely and
with conservatism, it can be done. and it
should be done"
Mr.. Patterson was then called upon. He
said that he is Of the opinion that the
crop raised this year did not justify the
small price it is bringing. And while on
the other hand. he does not believe that
by holding back cotton the price can be
raised to 1917 or Is cents, still it is certain
that by judicious and systematic marketing
a higher price than that now paid may
be realized. He also called attention to
A-A - \ -. {Lot
the crop this year is much shorter than
that of last year, the number OF bales
already marketed is larger than for the
corresponding time last year.
On motion Of Mr.. Allison, the secretary
, read the constitution and bylaws Of the
= Georgia Cotton Growers Association. 1t
. was decided to appoint a delegation OF
twelve members to attend the session OF
this association at Macon. Georgia, on
+, November goth.
6 The delegation is appointed as follows:
S. L. Patterson. Raleigh; T.. B. Parker,
Hillsboro; J. Bryan Grimes, Grimesland;
w. A. Graham, Lincolnton; j. P. Allison,
Concord; Gen. w. R. Cox, Penelope; j. A
: Leach, j.. S. Cunningham, Cunningham; Capt
Allen, B. f. Aycock.
t The following were appointed on the
t Executive COMMITTEES: A. T. McCallum.
L d. d.. ~ w. II. " y Ia P1bSN
S j. A. Shine. w. A. Graham.
t General Cox was called upon for q
speech and said: we are here to discuss
e a very important subject-the production
Of the crop that gives US clothes and gives
the government credit. Two years age
D the price of cotton was less thar 5 cents
Today it sells for nearly 10 cents. and il
s is worth 10 cents. too. What makes the
difference? Is it anything the farmers
4 have dOneo"
e He then went on to show that the rise
in the price of cotton was due 70 the
It Operation of the law Of supply and demand
He then spoke Of the part the Farmer!
Alliance had played in the work Of regu-
n lating the jute trust, and said that or
ganization had accomplished much goot
before politics ruined il. He said that L
succeed at cotton raising a man must u.s.
!; his eyes and have brains behind the eyes
Don't be ashamed to raise a chicken
e raise hogs, lambs, mules and calves am
charge it up to the cotton crop. Genera
Cox explained the advantages North Caro-
it lima has over many of the supposedly bet
ter situated portions of the United States
He insisted that we must rely upon our
selves.
and witty. and the convention enjoyed i
l. immensely. The convention adjourne'
until a date in January next, TO be nance
S, / by the President.