The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-07-31
SOUTH CAROLINA ALLIANCE
Interesting and Well Attended Tleet.
ing of Farmers.

The State alliance, the organization
Of which so much was heard few
years back, particularly in campaign
years, is still alive and doing well ac-
cording to President Efrd, and he does
not think that its days of usefulness
are over. The organization met in Co.
lumbia last week and begun its annual
session, reaching a final adjournment
about midnight. There were IA of the
forty-odd counties in the State repre-
sented at the gathering. The body met
in the State supreme court room.
At the opening of the session Presi-
dent D. F. Efrd of Lexington presented
his annual report as follows:
Brethren: We have assembled to
hold the fifteenth annual meeting or
the Farmers Alliance of South Caro-
lima.
One year ago a plan was formulated
looking TO the aroCsing of new interest
in our order. A committee was ap-
pointed consisting of Brother A. C..
Lyles. chairman Of the Alliance ex-
change fund. Brother w. N. Elder.
lecturer, and myself. We selected
Brother J. c. Wilbourn, reorganizer.
We issued a circular entitled "A Real
Necessity" which we distributed over
the State. Upon invitation we visited
Lancaster, two points in Union, Lau-
rens and several points in Spartan
burg. What we have accomplished by
our work let the evidence here an
swer.
We have IA counties here represent
ed. Our enemies have from time to
time given notice Of our death, and re-
joiced over the prediction of our
burial.
We have stood as national organi-
zation for II years and in this State
| 10 years, battling for the rights OF the
oppressed. New conditions today con-
front us in the South. Labor and
capital should go hand in hand. there
need be no clash between them. Strikes
are more universal than ever in the
history of this country; like wars OF
| times a necessity. When the dollar
is placed above the man labor asserts
her power. The Teamsters' strike OF
| Chicago almost famished. a city OF
| plenty. The Freight Handlers union
going out on a strike has cost that
city alone 100000 day. The miners
strike in the hard coal fields Of the
northwest is assuming alarming pro-
| portions. We hear Of labor troubles
in every quarter. Labor contending
for her rights against organized capl-
tai.
This historic city has felt the influ-
ence of organized labor in her work
shops and cotton mills. Even the news
bows here asked for their rights
through organization.
Our fight is along different lines
call your attention to these few
cases to show you that we can win
if we but stand together. We have
accomplished much and have much yet
to do. Our demands have not stopped
within the walls Of our meeting places,
but have been made issues in the halls
of State and nation. We have educa-
ted the people as no other organization
has done. We have come out vlctorl-
our in several fights with trusts. Let
us strive to do more good. Let us en-
deavor to correct the evils Of class leg
islation. Let us have equal rights TO
all and special privileges to none" If
a man filches your purse he is tried
and punished. but manufacturer
makes and sells for ''all wool and a
yard wide" that which IS half cotton
and 80 inches wide, thereby robbing
the world of thousands of dollars and
nothing is said. A thief enters your
larder and donates to his own use your
steak for breakfast; you can imprlson
him, but a beef trust robs a nation OF
millions and it is all right. A hungry
tramp feeds upon your roasting ears;
you put him on the chaingang, but a
Gates" can corner all the corn OF the
west, thereby donating to himself mil
lions of the peoples money and the
laws of our land say not a word.
Let us not become discouraged, let
us 90 on until we ''emancipate the
toiling masses from the grasp of or
ganized monopolies," remembering in
things essential unity, and in all things
charity"
now commend to you the work be-
! fore you.
The address was heard with consid-
cradle interest.
The following appointments were
made for the present meeting:
Chaplain-Jas. A. Lewis.
Steward-J. r. Thompson.
Doorkeeper-A. S. Frick.
Assostant Doorkeeper-O. P. Good
! win.
The officers present were the follow
ing:
! President-D F. Efrd.