The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1904-08-16

THE NORTH CAROLINA FARMERS STATE
ALLIANCE.

boro Tuesday and Wednesday of last week marked
another step forward in the general upward trend
of the Alliance for the past five years. Each year
a number of new County Alliances are organized;
each year the Order gains a frmer hold on the
confidence of the people,; each year marks a
healthy, substantial growth in membership.
In other States mistakes in management have
brought about the death of the Alliance. In North
Carolina the Order has survived the shocks of
other years and, recognizing in what respect mis-
takes were made, is determined to prevent a repe-
tition of the errors which once led to dissension
and weakness.
The meeting last week was largely attended,
harmonious and enthusiastic, and on Wednesday
hundreds of farmer folks from Orange and ad-
joining counties came to the Barracks to hear the
magnificent addresses by Governor Aycock, Super
intendent Joyner, DIR. TAFT Butler and Rev.
Charles E. Maddry-with Lecturer H.. M. Gates
thrown in for good measure at the last.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
The resolutions passed at this meeting we're per
haps of more than usual Importance, the most
notable of these being that in regard to the A. d
N. G. Railroad. The Alliance does not propose
to depart from it's fixed policy not to dictate opin-
ions on public questions to it's membership, but on
d 81 1ICCG d1CSO1LS IO SAIoA VI VIM
farmer-to whom the difference between reasona
bic and unreasonable freight rates may mean the
difference between profit and loss on a years crops
it was felt to be eminently proper that the Order
should express it's opinion in no uncertain way.
The following resolution was adopted almost
unanimously, and in President Graham's address
the reader will find more fully set forth the rea-
sons which impelled the Alliance to this action:
"Whereas, it seems probable that the railway
systems of North Carolina will at no distant date
pass into the hands of foreign corporations work
ing together as a practical monopoly to the detri-
ment of our agricultural, mercantile and other
interests.
"Now be it resolved, by the Farmers State AL
lance of North Carolina, that we respectfully
petition his Excellency, the Hon. Charles B. Ay-.
cock, to neither sell nor lease the Atlantic and
North Carolina Railroad, believing as we do that
this railroad can be extended to Norlina or to
Henderson without great expense to the State by
the use of convict labor, and that by the extern
sion proposed the people of North Carolina can be
protected by our Railroad Commission from IN
just impositions on the part of alien corpora
tions, and our own city of Beaufort made the
great port that our forefathers contemplated.
We, however, would not shut our eyes to any
abuses in the present management, but would
urge a stricter supervision of its affairs on the
part of our people and public officials"
THE COTTON SITUATION.
Last year the State Alliance gave much atten-
ton to the tobacco situation, and the result of it's
labors-the Rocky Mount meeting and other plans
that were developed-was doubtless materially
helpful to the growers of the weed, Just as the ac-
ton of the Alliance in 1902 in regard to cotton
seed prices clearly led to better prices for this
product. This year the cotton situation attracted
esnecial attention and the SenSo Of +La .aAA.:--.