The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-08-23
FARMERS UNION MEETING.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING
IN ANDERSON.

Anderson, Aug. 16.-Twelve and g
half cents for cotton. That is the
golden promise that is now held out
to the farmers Of the State. Is that
not enough to make good farmers
think a great deal of their protective
organizations and Of President E. D.
Smith, Mr.. Frederick H. Hyatt, and
the Others who have in any way, in
their opinion, contributed to the pres
ent, and the promised price of the
Aeecy staple.
This is naturally prosperous and
rich country, but. is more so than
ever with the prevailing good price
of cotton. Happiness reigns supreme
IN Anderson. There was a call for
nfherinig of the Farmers Union.
Farmers and their wives and children
were invited to speaking and bar
becue here, and how die they come!
Thousands and Thousands came
from far and near, and it was
record breaking gathering.
There must have been 5000 peo-
pie at the speaking, and what lot
OF speaking there was from 10 a.
m. until almost in the afternoon.
But why should the farmer tire to
hear of 10-cent cotton and the prom
ise of better prices, with lot OF
good jokes thrown in.
There is a large organization OF
The Farmers Union in Anderson
county. It is different organisa-
non from the Cotton Growers Asso-
citation. The organization in this
county is rather on the old Alliance
lines, with lodge and secret manual,
but it appears to be in sympathy
with the Cotton Growers Associa-
tion, which is in the zenith of its
glory. in this and other States just
now.
For some reason about dozen
speakers were invited and these all
came. They came on the instalment
plan.
President Smith, F. H-Hyatt, Sem
ator Latimer, Congressman Lever,
congressman Talbert, Senator Till
man, J. Belton Watson. Secretary
sherman we're all invited to speak
and then Major Sterling and Presi-
dent Glenn all spoke.
The trouble was that Messrs.
smith, Lever and Hyatt did not get
here until the afternoon. President
g4enn exhausted every available
speaker before dinner, and then the
throng went for the fatted mutton
and Thousands of pounds of barbecue
The meeting belonged to the Farm
ers, Union and it was almost funny
te note how the meeting would for
snally adjourn and reassemble so as
to speed the dispensary; and prohib-
ifien speeches, ard get in another
speech On farmers organizations,
ware houses and kindred topics.
The logical and eloquent speech Of
xhe Farmers Union wasss that of
President Ed. D. Smith, who is anx-
ious to get, one of his organizations
In Anderson, He spoke for full
hour to an enthusiastic, and apprecia-
i've audience. He is fuller of his
crusade than. TIlnaa is Of the dis
pensary,4 and today Tillman was the
good Samaritan and gave way to Mr.
smith, although he had every right
ef precedence.
Mr.. Hyatt appreciated the situa-
zion, and talked very briefly and to
the point, and Congressman Lever
made a sensible and level-headed
talk.
President Glenn, Of the association.
seemed worried that all of the speak
ers could not get into the picture, but
saIl talked to their hearts content ex-
cept Mr.. Sherman, who forfeited his
place by his late arrival.-News and
Courier.