The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-20
The Work of the Convention

Rocky Mount, ~ c., Dec. 19.-The con-
vention of the Association of Tobacco
Growers of North Carolina, which was
held here was a splendid success Great
numbers of people were in attendance
and the interest manifested was intense.
Hon. E. S. Daughtridge, member elect
of the Legislature, introduced Colonel
John S. Cunningham, president of the as
saciation, who made a fcrceful and
logical speech, pointing out the necessity
of thorough organization of the to-
bacco growers and allied interests. This
address created deep impression.
LThis address will be published in full
Sunday.l
Resolutions were then adopted by the
convention appointing committee of five
who shall have general supervision and
control of the organization of the to-
bacco interests in North Carolina.
No more ft place than Rocky
Mount could have been selected
by the Tobacco Growers Asso-
citation of North Carolina for their
convention, situated as it is in the very
centre of the Bright Tobacco belt of the
State, whose leaf has gained world
wide reputation. Yes, in the heart of the
country where grows to perfection the
bright golden leaf. on the main line of
the Souths great system of railways,
the Atlantic Coast Line. with branch
lines extending out in every direction
the beautiful, progressive town of Rocky
Mount, the product of two counties, is
most accessible.
Again the selection is most fit, for the
people of Nash and Edgecombe counties
are exceeded in hospitality by no people
on the globe. Because of their splendid
railway facilities, their beautiful Opera
House, where the convention was held and
their several excellent hotels, the wis
dom of President Cunningham was fit
tingly demonstrated in calling the con-
vention to be held at Rocky Mount.
Since last evening prominent citizens,
representing the tobacco growing indus
try of the State, among them manufac-
turers, warehousemen, buyers and grow
ers, have been pouring into the city, all
of which is an evidence of the intense
interest uppermost in the minds of the
people.
The gigantic clutch of the tobacco trust
has fastened upon the vitals of the to-
bacco growing life, and the future of the
tobacco farmer, under existing conditions,
is anything but bright and promising
picture. AS a result of the merger of
the Imperial and American Companies,
those who, for sundry reasons, failed to
sell their tobacco have seen a rapidly
declining market many holders having
felt severely, a drop of from 25 per
cent to 80 1-3 per cent in the price.
With these trusts the apparent masters
OF the situation. controlling as they do,
the manufacturing markets of the world,
buying up by force and otherwise to-
bacco manufacturing industries the world
over, they begin to show that their
infant days are of the past, con-
trolling both the raw as we'll as the
manufactured product. with the manu-
factured product higher while vet the
raw product is lower, lower, lower. To
meet these conditions at the instance
of certain of the largest and most sue
cessful growers of the weed in the State
President John S. Cunningham of the To-
bacco Growers Association. issued the
call for convention Every important
movement takes on the character of the
initiative, hence, the work of today is but
the beginning of a determined effort on
the part of the tobacco growers of the
war against the trust is on.
Not forgetful of the victory won in the
fight against the oppression of the Jute
Bagging Trust, the tobacco farmer,
backed by the warehousemen and the
Independent manufacturer has taken
courage and his great weapon-brain-is
preparing for the fray. Will he sue
ceed? On the principle, in union there is
strength, if the farmer will organize and
there be hearty cooperation on the part
or every grower, warehousemen, manu-
facturer and sympathetic interest, sue
cess is assured.
1t is the purpose of the convention
that organization be close and complete.
and to that end it is proposed to employ
Or select the best material in the to-
bacco growing counties, one man in each