The Semi-weekly leader., 1905-11-29
THE MISSISSIPPI
COTTON ASSOCIATION.
CONVENTION OF STATE AND COUNTY
OFFICIALS TAKES IMPORTANT
ACTION.
Review of What Has Been Done and
Work for the Future Outlined.

,, The convention of presidents
and county secretaries of local or
carnations composing the Missis-
sippi branch of the Southern Cot
ton Association finished its labors
at jackson Friday and adjourned.
The committee on resolutions
reported as follows:
Whereas, the Southern Cotton
Association having been IN exis-
tence for less than one year, and
having in that short period dem
onstrated its supreme importance
to the whole Southern cotton belt,
in protecting the Southern people
from the 1apacity of that reckless
gang of spectators who are and
have been for years banded to-
gether for the spoliation of our
people, in maintaining a reasona-
BILE price in the face of the largest
crop ever grown, in firmly estab-
fishing the present good prices for
the staple now obtaining, in un-
earthing the scandalous abuses in
the Agricultural Department at
Washington, which were the cause
of the loss of millions of dollars to
the cotton raisers, and in showing
the wonderful possibilities of a
united industry,
Resolved first, That we are en-
titled to the confidence and the
hearty cooperation of every man,
woman and child in the cotton
States. That we appeal to all cit
izens to come forward and join us
in presenting a bold and unbroken
front to the assaults of our ene-
mics and theirs.
Third, We believe that upon
the maintenance and perpetuation
of our association depends the
commercial and industrial free
dom of the South. We believe
the dissolution of this organiza-
tion would result in grinding poy-
erty and widespread disaster to
every business interest, and we
rely upon the common sense and
good judgment of our professional
and business men to assist in pre-
venting so dire and calamitous a
consummation.
Fourth, Mississippi being
largely an agricultural State, We
believe that the establishment of
an agricultural department is one
imperative necessity, and we be-
speak the aid and invoke the
hearty assistance of our fellow
citizens in accomplishing this OBJ
iect. We believe that a yearly
appropriation of $4,000 for the
proper and efficient maintenance
of such branch of our State gov
ernment would be money we'll
spent and would bring magnificent
returns to our people.
Fifth, We invoke the aid Of our
pubIic-spirited Governor in this
behalf and request him to make
such recommendation to the legis-
lature looking to the establish
ment of an agricultural depart
ment, as he may deem wise and
proper.
Sixth, The fact is that this pres
ent crop Of cotton is extremely
short, and desiring that our peo-
pie shall obtain a price that repre-
sents its true value, we urge that
the cotton now in the hands of the
people unsold be marketed very
slowly, feeling certain that such
course will inevitably establish
proper price.
Seventh, That the president of
this association lay these resolu
tions before the State association
which meets in January.
This report is signed by 8. L.
Wilson, chairman, d. FL. Cham
berlain, j. B. Mitchell and ]. L.
Shinault, the committee. The
report was unanimously adopted. |
The committee on ways and
means reported the following:
Ist. That the Southern Cotton
Association ought to be and will
be literally supported by the peo-
pie of Mississippi because the fact |