The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-08-23
The Farmers and Merchants
Wheeling Into Line
of Battle.
The PEOPLE ARE AROUSED
Organic, is the Cry That Rings Down the
Lire. Euthusi iastc Speakers and Re-
sponsive Audiences at New
Bern and Wilson.
Especial to News and Observer


Especial to News and Observer)
New Bern, N. c., Aug. Five hun-
dred farmers and merchants of New Bern
and Craven county met in the court
house at II o'clock today to consider
ways and means to remedy the existing
low prices OF leaf tobacco. There was
deep feeling manifested, which was pro-
ven by the many hard blows aimed at the
American Tobacco Company, which the
tobacco grower says is the sole cause
Of the present low prices.
The meeting was called to order by Mr..
John Dunn, president of the Retail Gro
GERS Association, who was made perma-
nent chairman. Mr.. Jas. w. Waters was
elected secretary. A committee was ap-
pointed to draft suitable resolutions. On
the retiring OF the committee Mr.. w. c.
Brewer made a few remarks which were
warmly received. Chairman Dunn then
introduced Mr.. d. L. Ward, who filled the
appointment of Col. John S. Cunningham.
He did himself credit. He urged the to-
bacco growers to stand together and fight
the trust, erect factories, store houses and
manufacture tobacco.
Mr.. Daniel Lane, of Bellair, spoke in
a very enthusiastic manner. He said the
money power had combined, why should
not the farmers, who arc IN the majority,
do 1he same and down the trust. Mr..
j. c. Whitty then offered resolution
from the Retail Grocers' Association
pledging the farmer their support. Mr..
j. ]. Wolfenden offered a resolution on
behalf of the farmers of Craven county
which was adopted On motion of Mr..
j. B. Harvey, of Vanceboro, a committee
was to be appointed in each township
for the purpose of organizing Retail
Grocers' and Farmers Protective Asso-
citation to be held next Saturday.
The following resolution was adopted:
Whereas, we the farmers of Craven
county, recognizing the fact that the
present low prices of leaf tobacco is dis
astrous to the best interest Of a large
per cent of the farmers of North Caro-
lima, and that this disaster to the inter
est of that body affects the interest of all
of our people, and
Whereas, we recognize that the price
OF leaf tobacco is controlled substantially
by the American Tobacco Company in the
interest of its stockholders and against
the interest of the producer and recog-
nlzing the power welded by this company
in establishing the price of leaf tobacco
produced by us and placed upon the mar
ket controlled by this corporation, and
Whereas, recognizing the fact that
some action must be taken in order to
protect the producer against the unjust
and severe oppression forced upon us by
this company now therefore be it
Resolved, by the farmer and tobacco
producer of Craven county along the 4lnes
laid out by the Farmers Protective AS.
sociation Of North Carolina:
First. That we offer our solemn pro-
test against the unjust action and OPP
pressive measures OF the American To-
bacco Company in forcing the present
Erice of leaf tobacco below the actual
cost of production.
Second. That not only in behalf of the
farmer and producer of this State, but
i'll behalf of the merchants and traders,
we urge upon all classes of our citizens
to lend their aid in relieving Us of this
oppression.
Third That we earnestly urge upon
our farmers and tobacco producers to
hold their leaf tobacco as long as possl-
bic and to this end and in order that
they may accomplish for themselves
defense against the lnlqultlous oppres-
sion, to organize themselves for the bet
ter protection of their own interest.
Fourth. We urge upon and solicit the
cooperation of all of our merchants,
warehousemen and independent capitalists
to aid us in carrying out the plans adopt
ed by this body for the relief OF our peo-
pie.
Fifth. we recognize the aid and en-
couragement and assistance offered us by
the North Carolina merchants individually
and through their various mercantile as
sociations and tender to the merchants
and their associations our heartfelt
thanks and appreciation for their SYM
pathy and aid.
Sixth. We recommend that commit
tee be appointed by this body with view
of establishing a local stock company to
buy, store and manufacture topacco Whlle
it continues to be forced below me cost
of production and that tins corporation
be established in every tobacco sect2n,
which will enable the people al home to
control the tobacco situation IN accord
ance with The plan adopted at the con-
vention of farmers and citizens at Rock3
Mount on the 21st day OF August as set
forth in the News and Observer OF It's
issue of Saturday morning August 1@hu'
1908.
Resolved further tnat ooLlliiiIoee