Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1905-03-03

Two actions Of the people of Mis-
sissippi recently taken can be looked
upon as augering great good for the
state in the future They indicate
breaking away from old alignments
and forming new connections for the
public welfare. That no longer will
our people submit to the dictation of
New York brokers as to the price
which they will accept for their cot
ton and that the Standard Oil Co.,
and allied interest of insurance COM
panies end etc., Shall determine the
price at which they shall dispose Of
crude oil from the seed mills.
The first ins .ance referred to, Is
the forming of an association to ham
die the cotton crop, prepare for stor-
ing any surplus that may be raised
and the advancing of money on cotton
thus stored until a legitimate price is
offered. The successful termination
Of this movement seems tosbe near at
hand. and when the cotton planters
of the state can defy the manipula-
ton of Wall street dealers much.will
have been accomplished for the ad-
vancement of Mississippi. The action
Of Mr.. Wilson of Lexington, and other
monied men throughout the state IN
offering storage and advances to aid
the attempted revolution, is highly
commendable and stamps them as
deeply interested in the welfare of the
commonwealth. 1t means more to Mis-
sissippi than the mere handling adj
vantageously of the cotton produced,
but sets an example for our people to
follow in cutting loose from the domi-
nation and dictation of trusts and
combines that at present are practi-
cally in control of the whole country
legislative and executive.
The second, and of equal Importance
with the first, is the movement to
build a refinery in the state for refin-
ing crude cotton seed oil, thereby fit
ting for export as well as home con-
sumption. There are rs oil mills in
the state which are not controlled by
what is known as the trust, under
whatever name it may be locally
known. None of these mills have a
refinery and there is none where their
product can be refined except under
control of the greatest trust the world
has ever known, the Standard Oil Co.,
and its associated, interests. These
rs mills then were compelled to con-
suit the sweet will of the trust and
smilingly accept anything offered for
their oil. Representatives from these
mills met in Jackson a few days since
and formulated plan for breaking
away from the trust and refining their
own product. Committees are hard at
work now completing arrangements
and shortly a second meeting will be
held to put the plan into execution
proud day it would be for Missis-
sippians should they be able to defy
these two great influences that are at
present the terror of all Independent
interests in the United States, and in
number of foreign countries.
These movements seemingly come
at very opportune time. President
Roosevelt is waging a war against the
great transportation companies in
rate discrimination and has thrown
down the gauge Of battle to Standard
Oil. What will be the result of this
activity is only conjecture, the sin
cerity Of the movement is being ques-
toned in many quarters. However;
the writer believes that it will not be
without results Of beneficial nature.
Kansas has openly defed Standard
Oil, outlawing it, passed law to build
its own refneries and go into the mar
ket as an individual Kansas is an
oil producing state and can accomplish
something along the line indicated.
Texas has entered the fight against
the oil trust with energy and is doing
well so far The action of the cotton
and cotton oil men of Mississippi
will only strengthen the positions
taken by these states. There seems
to be something like sympathetic
movement against the trusts all over
the country and our state is falling
into line very properly.
The campaign being waged- by
Thomas W. Lawson, be he what he
may, is surely bearing good fruit.
Lawson was probably as deep in the
mire as Standard Oil and its insur-
ance cohorts, but there is much truth
in the old saying anent, "when thieves
Gall out, etc. /" The people of Missis-
sippi have always expressed a desire
to fight combinations that were wont
to Cypress consumers of any product.
The opportunity is now afforded them
and it goes without saying that they
will Loyalty stand behind the institu-
tions provided for that purpose. A
series of articles giving light upon
the nefarious practices of the great
Waynesboro growers are experience
inc great ,.ce1,ltc From Elharto 4,oo oh