The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-17
rnE rr,rr AND rnr purY.

time turn away from the nufts @uo hustle and confusion, the differences and the bitternesses of hot campaign and direct our minds to something of really more vital importance along in- dustriaI lines. Neighbors who are in- terested in a bitter political fight are not always in the best of temper for Industrial Improvement. The best of friends will differ and refuse to help each other if they occupy different sides in politics.
 there should be no industrial torpid ity. There should be no halt in the march of progressive activity. Ala hama has wonderful future if her own people so will 1t. Nature has done mnch. but man can also do much to make this a great State. A few days ago we had an important conven- ton with us looking to the improve- ment of our great natural outlet to the outside world. and let us hope that the meeting was but the beginning of 9 movement that will have no halt and no hiudrancs till a great work is ac- compiished. We need continuous and ,unimpeded highway to the Gulf at all times and seasons. We want Selma and Montgomery and wetumpka and Gadsdcn to practically become ports of entry and departure for the products of Aiabama's feids and forests. her mines and her mills. and for all other natural and artificial products of great and growing State. We want vessels to go out loaded with what we have to sell and come back loaded with what we choose to buy. We want road to deep water and win have 1t If all will do their part in work ip which all Aiabamians are interested.
 And there was another important as- semblage here recently. when the farmers of the State met as a great Committee of Ways and Means to con- slider and consult as to what is for their interest and for the interest of all the people. It is a trite and threadbare saying that agriculture is the founda- ton of a peoples prosperity. but It is none the less true. It Is equally true that the farmers have not been as ac- tive in looking after their own inter ests as members of other occupations and professions have been. They have been too much in the habit of each man looking out for himself and too little inclined to work in harmony and com bination. We do not mean combine tion against others but for all others as well as themselves. These meet ings and conferences are bound to do good. Every farmer knows something that will be of interest to all the oth- CTS. Some have had better opportuni- ties than others to inform themselves and they can be of material assistance. There can be no ground for envy or jealousy among them. for the world needs all that all of them can make. What they can do, and what we believe they will do, Is to make their farms self-supporting and themselves, the most independent class on earth. and all the rest of us, whatever may be our calling in life. should never lose sight of our obligations to the farmers and our continued dependence on them.
 And but day or two ago there was another meeting here, less important. perhaps, than that of the farmers, but | not by any means an insignificant oc- casion. We aIlude to the meeting of the Poultry, Pigeon and Pet Stock As- sociation, and the organization of Q | permanent association which will pro- vide for an exhibit in this city on the 18th of January, next. Raising fowls may not be "a momentous business" !" as Fisher Ames called the cod-dsh in- dustry, but any one who goes out to buy fowls or their products will find that 1t is no small business before he or an egg is a small affair. but col lectively they are important. That our home supply is grossly inadequate will be plain to any one who will in vestigate and see the thousands of l fowls and millions of eggs annually shipped to Montgomery from other States. and the same fs true of every | city in Alabama. As Is the case with many other articles of food, we de- pend on others instead of ourselves for what we must have. Why should not we in Alabama have as fine and as profitable breeds of poultry as they Fhave in any other region? We hold that the only reply is that we are not trying as others do. We are very hopeful that there is a new order of things near and that chickens and eggs will not much longer be obtainable only by those with bank accounts.
 And we must not forget that on the 25th Of January there Is to be a meet ing of the Cane Growers of Alabama. and that, too, Is a matter in which Montgomery as well as all Alabama is vitally interested, as they are interest ed in anything that promises to cheap en the necessaries of life. While it cannot be said that sugar and syrup are very expensive 1t is certain that they--and especially syrup-cost more in. Montgomery than they should Making good syrup is not an experi- ment or a venture in Alabama, for that stage has long been passed. In 8 large portion of the State cane grows and thrives as well as elsewhere. As fine syrup is made from 1t as can be | found, and if there is any reason why