The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1901-07-31
FARMERS ALLIANCE
Me't In Annual Session In the
City of Columbia
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS
A Full Discussion of tho Plan
Proposed for the Reorgeni-
za'Ion OF the State
Alliance.
Alliance.

The State Alliance met in Columbia
last Wednesday night. The attendance
was considerably larger than was ex-
pected and all seemed to tako a lively
interest in the proceedings. When the
roll was called the following delegates
from county alliances yere present:
Dorobester-W. M. Shieder.
Fiorence-W. Q. Kelly.
Greenwood-P. S. Dew.
Laucsster-B. L. Miller.
Lexington-James b. Addy.
Newberry-J. l.. Keitt.
Msriboio-Chas. Crosland.
Oconee-J. b. Pickett.
Oraogeburg-J. H. Claffy.
Union-A. Q. Lyies,
York-W, N. Elder.
The following additional delegates
from subordinate alliances were also
present:
Fishdam-W. T. Jeter.
Ford-F. A. Hlngmsn.
Rightwell-M. X, Frick.
Summerville-J. II. Gsrgle.
The following officers wore elected
for the ensuing year: ID. +. Eird, of
Lexington, president; w. n. Fielder, of
fork, vice president and State leo
turer; j. w. Reid, ReidyiIle, secretary
and treasurer; j. 4. Nesbitt, L,ncss-
ter, delegate to National alliance; A.
y. Lyles, Carlisle, member executive
committee to serve three years. Presi-
dent j. O. Alexander of Oconee de.
livered his annual address to the State
alliance IS follows:
Brethren of the State Alliance: As
usual, 1t is with much pleasure that 1,
as member and brother in this or
der, am spared by a Higher Being to
meet you here once more. l, in my
humble way, have tried to preside over
this alliance for two years. and l find,
brethren, that while l have been hon.
ored by the order, and have been
taeated with the greatest respect by
every member, l feel that / have been
unequal to the emergency. Our organ
izatlon has, L fear deteriorsted under
my administration, instead Of building
up. The cause Of this don't know, un-
less it is neglect on my part and yours
to do our whole duty in encouraging
our neighbors to join our ranks and
help US light the battles of life. s40Sl
can remember, brethren, wher Off or
der was full to overfpwing- with mem
bers; they then saw the good works
OF the alliance and they see it TODAY.
The object of the ORGANIZATION was to
help the poor, to assist those who were
unable to stand alone, purely a char
liable thing, yet how many have with
drawn from our rolls; some by death,
but large majority from causes
known but to themselves. In the death
OF Brother j. w. Stokes one of our
brightest lights has gone out; his seat
in our order and in the national con-
gress hall will be hard to fill. He was
a true man In every sense of the word.
True to his country, true to his con-
stltuents, true to the alliance and true
to his God. Let US ever cherish his
memory. Now, brethren, let me thank
you for having placed the mantle of hon
or on my shoulders as your president,
and on retiring from this seat want to
assist you in electing some brother who
can and will L hope far surpsss all that
your humble servant has done.
The alliance devoted its time Wednes-
day evening to perfecting it's organize
tion, electing officers, etc., and to
general discussion of the best plan for
the reorganization and rejuyenation of
the order throughout the State. Look
ing to the revival of the alliance Mr..
Crosland proposed that the directors
set aside part of the interest derived
from the alliance fund, now safely in
vested, and pay an organizer to work up
sub alliances. This plan met with op-
position on the ground that the fund
and interest was q trust fund and could
not be used for organizing work. 1t
was contended on the other hand that
1T would be for the good of the order
and the fund. The matter was freely
| discussed pro and con and the general
disposition was to put sn active worker
In the field and organic, the State al
lance to take active hold of certain
business propositions. At this point
the Alliance objourned over to Thurs
day.