The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-26
A VAST ASSEMBLE
No Such Representative Body Of Men,
Between Eleven and Twelve Hun
dred Being Present, Has Ever Be-
fore Gathered in The South. The Or
ganizati0n of the Convention Pro-
ceeds tremendously, Harvie Jordan
Being Elected President.
tBy the Associated Press


New Orleans. Jan. Pity a unani-
nous vote at the close of its first ses-
sion today the Southern Interstate
Cotton Convention by general agree
ment the largest and most representa-
tive that has gathered in the South,
declared that reduction in acreage ana
use of commercial fertilizers is the
paramount question TO be considered
at the convention and ii must be set
tied before any other business is I'm.
dertaken. Eleven hundred and thirty
five delegates representing the thirteen
cotton growing states and territories
had registered when the convention
was called 10 order. Even that num-
Der does not represent the full strength
Of the convention.
The forenoon and early afternoon
were devoted 10 the compromising OF
all differences that existed as to or
ganlzation the central idea being that
the work of the convention should go
10 the country with the stamp of har-
lnony and practical unanimity. The
result was that former Congressman
Catchings nae was Withdrawn ana
all opposition to Harvie Jordan's Sc
lection as president ended.
Address of Harvie Jordan.
Washington Artillery Hall. seating
Two thousand people was crowded to
the doors when the convention met. 4
As president of the Southern Grow
ers. MIR. Jordan called il to order. He
said in part:
I'VE are all agreed upon four gem
erai propositions:
First. We must tie up and take
care of the surplus of this crop and
remove il from the markets of the
country until next fall, and hold the
al a in nJI..
possession until the prices advance to
normal conditions.
Second. We must reduce the cot
ton acreage and use of commercial
fertilizers at least % per cent under
that of 1904.
Third. We must arrange for gen.
erai system of bonded warehouses
under local control of the people
throughout the South.
Fourth. We must at onccsproceed
10 organize the producers of the South
in every cotton growing county on Il
business basis to carry into operation
Il permanent system of relief and pro-
lection for the future
Chairman Jester Speaks.
Judge i. b. Perkins, of Dallas.
nominated former Lieutenant-Gover-
nor Jester, of Texas, for temporary
chairman and he was unanimously
elected. Concluding q brief but effect
I've address,, Nj Joter said:
1.-Two reforms must be inaugurated
by the Southern farmers:
Diversification of crops that will
reduce the production of cotton ana
better facilities for the storage of cot
ton that will give lower insurance and
interest and better protection
j. A. Il. LoVett. of BluntSille, Ala.
Richard Cheatham, of Mississippi. and
j. Fl. Whyte, of New Orleans, were
elected secretaries.
The question of representation i'm
mediatey arising, Governor Varda-
man moved that every properly ac-
credited delegate should be entitled TO
q seat on the floor and n voice in the
convention and though the motion
provoked considerable debate il fin
ally prevailed.
j. \. Brown Speaks.
On motion OF j. a. Brown. of
North Carolina. a committee on per-
lnanent organization Of one delegate !
from each State was named. and
pending its report welcoming adj
dresses by Mayor Bohrman and PreSi- |
dent sanders. of the Progressive Union |
Wore listened tc There wer@ re-
sponses by Walter Clark, of Clarks- |
dale, Miss. and j. Pope Brown, chair |
man ogthe Georgia Railroad Com
mission.
Mr. Brown said it was the number
Of bales which regulated the price
OF cotton and the present price would |
not advance until il was known that |
the production this year was To be |
curtailed. Eight million bales would |
be an ample crop to raise this year.
With four million of surplus held on
10 it would give practically the crop !
the bears desire. He believed the |
South could win in the present fight.
II. @. Nesbit, of Alabama. present
ed the report Of the Committee or
Permanent Organization. 1t pToVid- |
ed for Harvie Jordan. AS president, |
for o vice president from each State, !
and for the three secretaries named
by the temporary organization. 1t |
fixed the representation on the basis !
OF one vote fer every 100000 bales of
cotton raised during 1903-l904, as
follows: Alabama, 10; Arkansas 3 :
Florida. l. Georgia, Il; Louisiana p !
Mississippi, IA; North Carolina. 9
South Carolina, 8: Tennessee. 8
Texas. &c: Oklahoma. .: Missouri. l.
and Indian Territory, g.
Providing for Committees
These committees We're provided
for:
Reduction of cotton acreage and
use Of commercial fertilizer with one |
farmer, one banker and one merchant
from each State.
Permanent organization of farmers
with three farmers one merchant. and
one banker from each State.
Financing and holding balance of