The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-09-24

plause.
Chairman Green introduced Senator
Simmons as a farmer who would talk
to farmer. and not talk politics.
Senator Simmons" said he, this
meeting has got nothing to do with
politics, or election of Senators or
congressman, and is here for bust
ness"
Senator Simmons began his address
by speaking of the Importance of the
cotton question, as it affects the whole
business situation of the South, as
with the farmers not prosperous
there was a\ absence of prosperity in
the country. He expressed his per-
sonal interest and his desire to aid the
farmers in their fight as man, a
citizen and as a representative in Con-
greSs. His remarks, he declared, were
to be made from the standpoint
of a cotton grower. He had lived on
the farm during his boyhood days and
for twenty-on years and his means.
EXCEPT his house We're invested in
farms and farming. His ancestors
had been farmers, his only son is
farmer All these showed that he had
IN interest i'm the farmers, whose life
he considered as the ideal life, hold
ing that through manufactures might
come and were good, yet with Thomas
Jefferson he felt that he hoped the
day would never come when the
South would cease 70 be an agricul-
tural country. He discussed the wide
scope of influence of modern agricul-
ture, holding that the farmer is up
with the PROCESSION, and will soon lead
it, that he believed that in the near
future when men We're sought as
broad minded leaders the place in
which they would be found will be in
the country. His belief was that there
is no legitimate business which de-
rive more legitimate profits than the
work of the farmer. The more pitia-
Bile figure in American life today. he
held to be its richest man, surrounded
by i'll gotten gains setting in desola-
ton, vainly wishing for some power to
deliver him from the body of death
i'm which exists. The organization of
farmers he held to be not for the
purpose of doing wrong to any man,
but to provide hCnorably for their
own. No object in it he saw but self
protection. and the leaders of the
movement he commended as conserva-
tive in their position and work.
What shall be the staple price of
'ottOn for this years crop" he next
discussed as a question not alone of
irst importance in the South, but in
very civilized country Of the world.
With the South's practical monopoly
in cotton, next in importance to iron
and steel, he declared it should be
come the richest section of the coun-
try, equalling the wealth Of New
England and the Western States com
bined. AS long as Europe fixes the
price the cotton farmers would get
that figure, which would make hin
3oorer. II declare that the South has
ptIs rad he pACf GlF fp1sc. 11l L. inc
nough." CApplauee.) He held thai
agreement for fair prices with the
Jew ENGLAND manufacturers, a dis
bandment OF the forces which, for
sixty years has driven down cotton
prices. than this would bring the best
results. The farmers Cotton Asso-
3iation, he held to be not for specula
ion or exploitation but solely for
self protection. He described con-
litions preceding and leading to the
'me last year of seven cents cotton.
till the farmers, finally rising in re-
bellion against the cunning and trick
Try of the manipulators drove up the
price till an average price of nine
-entS was reached, though a less fig
re than the farmer deserved. Then
the manufacturers said prices must go
Town as there were a million and a
half bales more than demanded by
he law of supply and demand, now
that there IS short crop, one of
100000 bales, the farmers say that
you must pay us eleven cents, less
than the twelve cents average of the
last fifty years, these manipulators
ay, we have nothing to do with your
short crop, nor with your labor
troubles, to Ii with your law OF
iupply and demand.
Then Senator Simmons continued
Is follows:
Your plan of defense is to with
draw your crop from sale unless you
can get fair price. 1t is the only
plan perhaps open to you. If yol
will put yourselves in the position to
hold your crop, you will succeed
Last year you did in a measure sue
ceed, but in carrying out your plan
or defense you were hampered by nor
having warehouses to store your cot
ton. and by the fact that the banks
anxious as they were to help you, had
other interests having prior claims
upon them to protect and support Sc
Tar you have succeeded, and you viii
succeed again without banks organ
lied primarily in your interest and
owing first duty to you, but not with
out difficulties and some hardships
All have not received or been able te
receive lne IuII dement's OF your sue
cess, and unfortunately these have
Deen those who most needed help. The
big farmer and the rich farmer could
and did get all the help he needed
without warehouses; but the one-horst
farmer often had to sell at low prices
III he could have stored his crop an0
secured a warehouse certificate, which
would have been, for at least two
thirds of it's value, as good as gold
certificate, he also could have receiv-
ed the benefit of the higher price
which your organization forced. The
interests of these men are entitled to
consideration, and your success will
not be complete until ting benefits OF
your success extend to the smallest
as well as the largest purchaser. Il
is an axiom that the way to keep peace
is to be ready for war. If you Will
get your warehouses and arrange fo'
advances on your cotton thus stored.
these bear attacks will cease and the
price of cotton become reasonably
staple. Now are you to get these
| have a thought ]
will give it to you. [ give it as a sug
gestion. and / give it with diffidence.
| give it only as suggestion for what
it is worth. / have thought much
about it, and / believe there is some
thing in it, 1t is this: Bank your
money and in this way make it avail