The leader., 1905-09-02
! MISSISSIPPI MATTERS

!
In those sections where the towns
Of the farmer AS rule, l can tell
usurious center by the lack of support
of the S. G. A. by moneyed lnen. Often
the narrow-minded merchants and the
Observation-Disclosures money lend
ers are so myopic that their vision ID
not beyond goOd-siZed nose length.
These men imagine that their best in
terests depend upon the poverty of the
great farmer class. These men are
mistaken. The time when such con-
ditions obtained is past. 1t is to the
honest interests of each class that
which concerns the best interest Of
the whole. 1t is to the best interest
of the banker, merchant and profeE
sional man that the farming element
prosper, and conversely this Is also
true. What is good for part is bene-
fetal to the whole community. When
the timid farmer, who lives eighteen
miles from town. rides this long dis
tance under an August sun, or in a
January sleet, to a meeting in town,
and some town scoffer asks, Jim,
what brings you to town. he replies,
\
county cotton association as a repre-
sentative from my district i didn't
know there was any meeting in town
today says the town citizen, and the
farmer feels discouraged, for what
has been represented to him as being
in the interest of everyone seems not
to be considered by his professed
friends and the town merchant The
farmer feels blue and goes back home
discouraged. He depends upon his
merchant and banker for advice upon
all matters other than those directly
concerning the management of the
farm, and when the merchant and
banker appear Indifferent to his in.
terests. through the labors of the S. G.
A., he feels blue. In order to have
strong rural organization it is neces-
sary that there be a nucleus or local
center of influence, from which ra-
dates information and influence for
the cause. Timid men like assGcia-
ton. They need this association weld
ed into organization to give strength.
The farmers, as rule, are reserved
and ,timid, and in the exercise Of tlleir
tinkiity appear powerfully indepen-
dent. History proves that this iI,de-
pendence has been only one of profes-
sion, which profession has been given
the o X by those grating upon us,
and who are of the great cosmopolitan
outside world. Stripped to self, and
stark and bare. the great farmer ele-
Iuent has been an easy prey, and my
farmer friends will agree with me, too,
for has not every interest in the pro
ducing and labor world corrected this
adverse condition through organiza-
tion? And now the leaders offer to
the rank and file, through the S. c. A.,
an emancipation. It's acceptance is q
matter of appreciation and judgment.
Our friends in town, the banker, the
merchant and professional men, are
called upon for support. Do not
shaves, shines, cigars, beer, coca-cola
and all other indulgences depend upon
the prosperity of a section? The price
of our staple product is this effecting
cause, and hearty support of organi-
zation is the remedy"
The Mississippi Agricultural and
Mechanical College has recently Gre
ated the position of instructor of for
estry and plant breeding in the insti-
tuition, and Geo. L. Clothier. of the
United States Forest Service, has been
chosen by the college authorities to
fill this important position. In addi-
tion to giving forestry instructions in
the college, Mr.. Clothier will carry on
propaganda work in forestry in con-
pection with farmers Institutes, and
by means of bulletins issued from the
Agricultural Experiment Station. In
cooperation with the forest service a
special study will be made of various
forest problems of direct interest to
the State, among which are: Forest
management and woodlot owners; for
est planting for the reclamation of
waste lands; method for preventing
erosion through forest planting and
preservation; forest survey of the
State.
The following prayer, for use during
the yellow fever epidemic, authorized
for use in the diocese of Mississippi
by the bishop, is published: 20 Al
mighty God, who knowest our necessi-
ties before we ask and our ignorance
In asking, we call to Thee in this our
hour of great disaster to our brethren,
and of danger to Thy children in our
land. Assist with the spirit of wis
dom the endeaVors of those who are
striving to devise means for the arrest
Of the fever, and grant to us all the
will to show forth our faithful prayers
in our own earnest efforts, and the
power by Thy mighty aid to accom-
plish what is well pleasing unto Thee,
that we, being chastened for a time,
may be healed by Thy medicine and
comforted with Thy consolation,
through Jesus Christ our Lord"
The first bale of 1905 cotton was re-
ceived at Vicksburg on the 23d and
was sold at auction at the Cotton Elk
change. The bidding was spirited, and
before it stopped was carried to so
cents.
The Kansas City, Memphis & Bir.
laingham Railroad reports that for the
last quarter its total receipts in Mis-.
sissippi were S291,041.74;. operating
expenses, $257, 7,202.4S; net revenue,
35,74S.0S.
Secretary Wells, Of the Penitentiary
Board Of Control, reports that he win
have twenty-five discharges to report
at the next meeting Of the board. That
means that twenty-five men have COM
pleted their sentences, and that they
are to be restored to liberty with a
new suit Of clothes and $40 in cash, on
which to start life anew. In view of
the fact that there have been few
courts during the month, there have
been hardly any arrivals of new con:
victs at penitentiary headquarters, and
the consequence is that the prison pop
ulation will be reduced somewhat dur
Ing the month.
The city of Jackson has invested in
q road roller This roller weighs five
tons, and that is believed to be sufii-
cient weight to mash any clod the
chain gang can turn up. The roller
cost $40O.
Secretary Maxwell. OF the Railroad
Commission. states that he has so