The Port Gibson reveille., 1907-01-17

ton Association, has been sent out
20 the press and the public.
To the People Of Mississippi.
The Mississippi Division of the
Southern Association, in convention
assembled, issues the following al
dress to the people Of Mississippi:
In January, 1905, in the city Of
New Orleans, the Southern Cotton
Association was first organized, and
without boastfulness and undue pride
it is pointed out that the benefcent
results that have marked its brief ex-
istence Of two years completely vim
dicate It's title to the respect and
grateful support Of every person
whose welfare is favorably affected
BY the increased price Of cotton. AT
the time Of its formation, cotton was
selling at and below six cents per
pound; its mere successful organiza-
tion was sufficient to greatly affect
the price, and since then cotton has
never fallen below eight cents. The
Association is just entering what
should be the years Of its greatest
power and usefulness; it has what at
first It lacked-STRENGTH, PRES
TIGE, and EXPERIENCE. The off
spring Of hard times and depressing
conditions, it is now a young giant
full Of power, AMI famous in every
land where cotton is grown, worn or
manufactured
TIE work Of the Mississippi Divis-
ion has just been reviewed. The re
ports Of its officers show DILIGENT
and INTELLIGENT work and an
HONEST performance Of public du-
ty. Nearly every cotton growing
County in the State has been visited
by the President or Secretary, and
through these means, and BY cooper
ton with farmers institutes, and d.
versifed farming special trains, a
campaign Of agricultural education
has been conducted. That The or
ganization has already paid a hand
some dividend to the public who have
supported it, is evidenced in many
ways besides the increase in the price
Of cotton. A notable instance is the
effect Of single letter from President
Walter Clark to tho Mayor Of Mem
phis in regard to the abuses sometimes
practiced by the warehousemen in the
storing Of cotton in that city. From
an individual, such a letter would
have had no effect; but from an Off
cial from the Association it brought
about instantly a valuable reform.
The work Of the General Associa-
ton in specific matters has been Of
immense value, and promises to be
Of even greater Importance in the
future. 1t was through its officers
that the leak in the National Depart
ment Of Agriculture, whereby GER
tain spectators were enabled to prof.
It greatly at the expense Of this sec
ton, was discovered and stopped, and
the guilty parties forced out Of Of
fice. AT this moment active steps are
being taken to weaken, if not destroy
the archenemy of cotton interests
The New York Cotton Exchange, and
work inspired and supported by the
Cotton Association. The METHODS
Of that HUGE SWINDLING INSTI-
TUITION have beeu essentially char
aeteristic Of BLACK-LEG GAM
BLERS. The price of cotton has been
depressed BY open and gross fraud. 1t
has accumulated and maintained a
stock Of bales Of old and rotten cot
ton, unfit for any useful purpose, but
which by the rules Of the Exchange
could be delivered 10 a buyer in full
filment of contract Of purchase and
sale on its exchange. The tendency
% this practice has been to bring the
psice Of all cotton down to this fraud
ulent level; and yet for years that in
stitution decided the price at which
We had to sell the greatest product Of
our fields. IF the Postal Department
Of the National Government is induc-
"a to issue a fraud order against the
New York Cotton Exchange, it will /
be brought about largely through The
support Of the Association, and an
other great service to the South viii |
be recorded to its credit.
Legislation in various States pro-
aSbiting bucket shops and dealings in
futures, whereby cotton may be freed 4
from those artificial fluctuations in
pri, which work to the injury
Of the producers and legitimate deal
srs in cotton, who have followed
the exertions Of the Association, and
a national law prescribing and pun
ishing such establishments and prac-
tees is at present pending in Con-
grsss.
Abe great service performed BY the
Association in bringing into action
among the Southern people the power
full influence Of concerted and united
action is Of itself high recommends
ton to high public favor.
1t would seem logical to expect that
the ocular and financially substantial
proof given them in the last two years
would convince the most skeptical Of
the value and necessity Of a hearty
and continued support Of great or
ganization that has accomplished so
much. Yet with the lessening of the