The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-06-07
Farmers Meet Good Speeches.

| met last SdtuiHtllH, aLiN o"AAS W IHS
fact that our farmers are entertaining
upon their farms General Green and
his staff the attendance was not so
large nevertheless there was present
at the meeting by actual count 81 per-
sons. Chairman Hodge sprung a sur
prise upon the gathering by having
present Hon. L. D. Smith, state preSi
dent Of the association and Hon. F. H..
Weston the secretary, and it is indeed
unfortunate that the coming OF the
gentlemen had not been made known.
President Hodge said he felt so cha
Srined because of having disappointed
large crowd once before when he
made it known they would be here, he
was afraid to make it public when he
learned they were coming because he
Gid not know what would happen 10
disappoint the people again.
Those who were present were well
paid for attending. as they heard two
rafting fine speeches both OF which
were encouraging messages brought by
men who are in close touch with the
conditions over the entire cotton belt.
The first speaker introduced vas Hon.
F. II. Weston who is 4 lawyer. banker
and farmer, and who is deyoting much
Of his valuable time TO the cause OF the
cotton planter without any remunera-
ton whatever. Mr. Weston gave an
account of the work of the New Orleans
convention. then traced in elegant Ian
guage the history Of the cotton grow
ing South, its past and present CONNER
cial status. and by organization what
the future will be- In eloquent word
painting he told OF the South. and
pleaded with the sons of men who by
their blood sealed their loyalty and
devotion to country to stand by this or
ganiZation which had already accom-
plished much towards showing that
the farmers of the South have a
monopoly in their cotton product and
that by organized effort they are de-
termined to unshackle themselves from
the grasping specu]ator, who sits IN
luxuriously fitted Office in Europe and
dictates the price of product Cf the
toll of men who are their superiors in
true manhood.
The speech of the day however, was
that OF Hon. L. D. Smith whom we re-
gard without u superior IS platform
speaker in the State. Mr.. Smith had
Just returned from Texas, louisiana,
Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia. Indian
Territory, Oklahoma and other cotton
growing sections. He has been speak
ing to commercial bodies. legislatures
and farmers organizations, and where
ever he went he sent the cause OF the
cotton planter away up in the estima-
ton of the commercial world. The
speaker took issue with the govern
menJ report of the reduction IN acre
age, fertilizers and general crop condi-
tions and told about the proposition OF
the Southern Cotton Growers Associa-
ton to force the government to com
pare their respective sources Of in
formation. and in English, not exactly
sanctifed, but sparkling with ap-
propriateneSs he scored the COM
mercial sap-suckers who are using
the might of wealth to bear down
the product of the Southern farmer.
We wish every farmer, white and
black, could have been present and
heard this magnifcently reported con-
dition of affairs from a man who dld
not receive his information second
hand, but with his own eyes saw the
conditions that he eloauently portray
ed. Mr.. Smith says the farmers have
been trae to their pledges cotton
planting has been reduced. the use OF
fertilizer has been diminished, and
spot cotton was withheld from the
market in such a manner that, not
withstanding 14.00C,0 600 bale crop,
the organization has succeeded in keep
ing up a stiff demand and prevented
the price from going below seven cents.
To demonstrate the value OF organized
effort he quoted from statistics the pro-
duction and prices for a number OF
years; and went on to show that the
spectators few years ago took advan-
tage of the unorganized condition OF
the farmer and with II, 100000 bale
crop forced prices down to less than
four cents, which they would have re-
peated the past year, and by taking ad-
vantage of the unprecedented crop Of
100000, the war in the East and
other depressing things, they could
have pushed the price down to two
cents per pound and ruined every mill
and bank in the South. What saved US
was the manhood of a people who had
tasted the cup OF bitterness many a
tine and who had faced conditions
before, these men of the South hereto
fore forced to humiliate themselves be-
lore the money lenders of the North
resolved to do so no longer, and today,
although the organization IS young, II
is a powerful factor and so recognized
over the entire civilized world. He
pleaded with his hearers to continue
their fealtv to the cause, grit their
teeth, and determine to 60 or die The
speaker paid a glowing tribute to
Daniel Sulley who has proven himself
friend to the South and said. when
that man dies the people of the South
should in grateful remembrance OF him
erect a monument to his memory.
The meeting was held together
throughout the speaking and every
man went away not only delighted
with what he heard and learned, but
determined to Go his utmost for the
cause which means So much to every.
body.
President Hodge proposes sometime
the latter part of July or the early part
Of August to have a grand rallying
picnic at Tindal's Mill, and Messrs.
Smith and Weston promised to come
and bring with them Senator McLau-
rim, Mr.. Hyatt and they will also en-
deavor to get Tom Watson of Georgia.
II this picnic is had, we hope the peo-
pie of the county will attend it in full
force. Mr.. Hodge proposes ct the
proper time to confer with people in
various sections. cnd probably call a
county meetipS looking towards or
ganizing the affair in a systematic man.
ner so that every thing will go of
properly.