The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-06-21
esting statement to the press Of the

esting statement to the press of the
State:
In spite Of ali that has been said anC
written, the prediction OF the Southern
Cotton Association and the predictions
that I have made throughout the State
have come true. l am not disposed tC
enter into any argument with anyone
as TO the causes that have brought
about the much desired condition as Il
the prices of cotton. | simply congrat
ulate the people and all friends OF the
South that the conditions worked s(
persistently for by the Southern Cottor
Association are now actually existing
Some claim it is the weather, some
the unprecedented demand for cotton
and some are broadminded enough tt
take in every element and to render
unto Cesar the things that are Caesars
and unto God the things that are God 5
No matter what may come hereafter
no matter what disasters may befall the
Southern Cotton Association, I think
that all fair-minded people will concedf
that we have accomplished more in the
FIVE months of our existence than ha:
ever been accomplished in the Soutf
for the financial betterment of the peo
pie at large.
From great many sources we neal
the cry that this is another poIltlca
move.
We claim this distinction: In this
State we have practically asked the
farmers for no money at all. we nave
gotten from the producing and laoorlne
classes for the prosecution OF our work
less than 5000 We have not asked ano
will ask for no political Office as q reward
for what we are doing. We have not
asked nor will we ask for the aid of any
politician or set of politicians. We
have opened the doors for any ano
every man who chooses to come in and
help in the fight.
As result of our work thus far we
claim that we have been factor, if not
the onl; one, that has been instrument
tai in forcing the price of cotton up tc
9 cents per pound today. thereby Civ
ing to each and every man who has a
bale of cotton $40 more than he could
possibly have had otherwise; and con.
ceding that there are 100000 bales Of
cotton unsold in South Carolina, this
means a net profit to the cotton pro
6ucer and the cotton holder of s., 600, ,0OC
in South Carolina.
And, as l say, we have been instru-
mental in bringing into the State. for
the betterment of those who most need
it. this enormous amount of money: aud
as a reward of all this effort on our
part we simply ask honest, consclen.
tious cooperation on the part OF all
right-thinking people who believe that
By organized effort, the use of common
business sense, the proper diversified
tion of farming, the proper care OF the
cotton after being made, and the proper
marketing of it, that the South can con
troll this great money crop for the bet
terment of all classes OF people in the
South. This is our reward.
We have taken issue with the gov
ernment, and this is the first organlza'
ton that has forced recognition by the
government. 1t is probable that in the
contention now existing between this
organization and the government that
there may be shown some OF the causes
why the South's staple products have
been such profitable field for specula-
tion.
wish to emphasize the fact that this
cannot be a political move, in that all
those who see in it, or imagine they see
in it, another attempt, as they claim,
to fool the farmers, we invite them to
come in and join their interest and
their money to help bring about the
condition, that which we all so earnest
" desire, and which we have proven
can be achieved by our achievements,
and il at any time these brethren desire
to enter the field of politics, we will
give them their furloughs and ticket OF
leave, and allow them to go back to the
world of politics, and lay whatever
claim they may TO popular favor by ylr-
tue of their Individual accomplish
mentS.
No man or set of men shall, so long
as these officers are in charge of the
Southern Cotton Association, use this
for political purposes. We
nave no right. nor is it our province to
become censors Of the political opin-
ions of any man or set Of men. They
have the right to express them at any
time or place. We have the right, and
are exercising it, to say that they shall
not hold official positions with our or
ganization and at the same time seek
an official position in the State.
In spite OF all that has been done and
said in the attempt to discount the
work of this organization, we point
with inexpressible pride to what we
we have accomplished, and are sure
that every farmer in this State feels to-
day that he is financially and morally
bound to the Southern Cotton Associa-
ton for the present condition of affairs
and the bright prospects of the future.
E.. D. SMITH.