The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-08-19
FARMERS AT CLEMSON 81
They Heard Many Speeches on q
Variety of Topics.
THE ATTENDANCE NOT LARGE

TIE ATTENDANCE NOT LARGE.
United States Senators TilIman and
Latimer Made Speeches. Many
Interesting Matters Discussed
by Other Speakers.
A special dispatch from Clemson
College to The State says there were
about three times as many farmers at
the institute last year as there are
this year. The political campaign,
the rains and the fact that all could
not be comfortably accommodated
last year are the reasons assigned for
the smaller attendance.
THE EXPERIENCE MEETING.
About 800 farmers held an expert
ence meeting in the auditorium Tues.
day afternoon. Col. Newman presid.
ed and Senator Latimer occupied q
seat on the stage.
MIR. e. D. Smith of Sumter told of
his experience In marketing crops. In
few Introductory remarks he illus
trated the need Of dealing with all
matters in a practical way and of up
plying mind to matter. This princi-
pie was not applied by farmers in
marketing their crops. They were
the only producers in the world who
cid not set the price on their pro.
ducts. All producers would calculate
how much 1T COST to make their goods
and a6Hinr tn thiS n f,ir Ia
offer iU for sale at a price to cover
these items. The farmers made their
crops and then asked the purchaser to
fix the price. While the southern
cotton farmer has monopoly OF a
great product yet he had made no
effort to control the price of his pro-
duct. lie had no representative on
the cotton exchange or elsewhere, but
In the past had been content to let
the balance Of the world fix the price
of cotton. If they continued in this
way they would SHOW themselves to
be great fools.
He explained plan he had used at
Lynchburg, his home. A number Of
farmers in the neighborhood had form.
ed an organization and had made him
obSiA okShU. ~ OildlkC VI 20
cents bale was made to cover the
expenses. The farmers would bring
their cotton to town in such lots as
would be convenient to them. Mr..
Smith would then telegraph to varI-
GUS exporters and the cotton pur-
chaSers asking for bids Tor so much
cotton. He kept informed of the
price at Liverpool, New York, and
other points, AMI ii tine price offered
was satisfactory he would sell the
cotton the members of the organiza-
tion had brought to town that day.
by so acting the members of the or
ganiZation had made about Sc, 600 on
1900 bales of cotton more than they
would have made If the organization
had not existed. He believed If SINH
lar organizations were formed
throughout the country the price OF
cotton could be regulated, and the
bulls and bears would not control the
situation. If the organization could
be further perfected so as to regulate
the acreage the condition OF the CO..
ton farmer would be much improeseo.sS y
The southern farmer had 5s.eu
enough thing II cotton raising al soo,
he would just mix brains witfin ~, ~ ~
business he would lead very h. nns ,,,s
existence. GppS
s1hitflT fEw rev ! avery amGST52 u,c.
;sie OF the present manner Of selling
,fcotton by the average farmer. He
maze the farmer out TO be man lack
ing In self respect unless his face be-
lied his feelings and made him out to
be a ridiculous figure tramping around
town In the cold and rain trying to
sell his bale of cotton from sample
TO noodle-headed men who did not
nave the natural ability Of the farmer.
'Ehe only hope Of the farmer was to
fol M organizations such as we're tn b,
found in all eaflings- and until such
organizations as he had indicated were
formed to Tx the price of cotton the
farmers of the south would be begsars
on their own dOorsteps. They had a
natural monopoly and il they did not
take advantage Of their opportunities
they were monstrouS fools.
GOOD ROADS.
Prof. Newman then introduced Sena-
tor Latimer who spoke of his pood
roads bill. He said that before the
farmers could market their crop profit
ably they must have good roads, and
his bill provided for the building of
good roads without its costing the peo-
pie one cent more than now. 1t
was unfair to make the farmers bear
all the expense of building roads. 1t
was just as reasonable to make the
hackmen of city keep up the streets
OF a city. Therefore every one in the
country should assist and his bill
simply provided for this, making the
federal government spend sum on
the roads equal to that expended by
the State.
He explained in detail the features
or his bill, which has been given be.
fore in The State. lie was we'll receiv.
ed and given close attention.
At the conclusion Oh Senator Lati.
mer's address he asked all who favored
the bill to stand up. Every man. wo-
man and child In the audience stood
up.
The Afternoon exercises were con.
cluded by an address by Prof. Earle.
associate professor OF mechanical en-
gineerng. Without dealing too much
In technicaliJies he gave interesting
and valuable advice on the care OF
steam engines. He explained the caus
es Of boiler explosions and the means