Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1907-01-19

The following address, by order of
the recent convention of the Mississippi
Division of the Southern Cotton Asso-
citation, has been sent out to the press
and the public.
ITO the Peop.e of Mississippi: The
Mississippi Division of the Southern
Cotton Association, in convention as
sembled, issues the following address
to the people Of Mississippi
In January, 1905, in the city OF New
Orleans, the Southern Cotton Associa-
ton was first organized, and without
boastfulness and undue pride it is
pointed out that the benefcent results
that have marked its brief existence of
two years completely vindicate its title
to the respect and grateful support Of
every person whose welfare is favora-
bly, affected by the increased price of
cotton. At the time of its formation
cotton was selling at and below cents
per pound; its mere successful organi-
2ation was sufficient to greatly affect
the price, and since then cotton has
never fallen below s cents. The asso-
citation is just entering what should be
the years of its greatest power and
usefulness; it has what at first it lacked,
strength, prestige and experience. The
offspring of hard times and depressing
conditions, it is now young giant full
OF power, and famous in every land
where cotton is grown, worn or manu-
featured.
= "The work Of the Mississippi Division
has just been reviewed. The reports
of its officers show diligent and intelli-
gent work and an honest performance
of public duty. Nearly every cotton
growing county in the State has been
visited by the president or secretary
and through these means, and by CO.
operation with farmers institutes, and
diversified farming special trains, a
campaign of agricultural education has
been conducted. That the organiza-
ton has already paid handsome diyi-
dend to the public who have supported
1t is evidenced in many ways besides
the increase in the price of cotton. A
notable instance is the effect of a single
letter from President Walter Clark to
the mayor of Memphis in regard to the
abuses sometimes practiced by the
warehousmen in the storing of cotton
in that city. From an individual such
letter would have had no effect, but
from an official OF the association it
brought about instantly valuable
reform.
"The work Of the general association
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 Department OF Agricul-
ture, whereby certain spectators were
enabled to profit greatly at the ex-
pense of this section, was discovered
and stopped, and the guilty parties
forced out of office. At this moment
active steps are being taken to weaken
il not destroy the arch enemy OF the
cotton interests, the New York Cotton
Exchange, and work inspired and sup
ported by the Cotton Association. The
methods of that huge swindling instl-
tuition have been essentially character
istic of black-leg gamblers. The price
of cotton has been depressed by open
and gross fraud, 1t has accumulated
and maintained Il stock of bales OF old
and rotten cotton, unfit for any useful
purpose, but which by the rules of the
exchange could be delivered to a buyer
in fulfllment of contract OF purchase
and sale on its exchange. The tendency
of this practice has been to bring the
price of all cotton down to this fraudu-
lent level; and yet for years that insti-
tuition decided the price at which we
had to sell the greatest product OF our
fields. If the postal department OF the
national government is induced to issue
fraud order against the New York
Cotton Exchange it will be brought
about largely through the support OF
the association, and another great
service to the South will be recorded to
its credit.
"Legislation in various States pro-
hibiting bucket shops and dealings in
futures, whereby cotton may be freed
from those artificial fluctuations in
prices which work to the injury OF the
producers and legitimate dealers in cot
ton, has followed the eXertions OF the
association. and n national law pre-
scribing and Furnishing such establish
ments and practices is at present pend
ing in congress.
"The great service performed oy the
association in bringing into action
among the Southern people the power
full influence of concerted and united
action is of itself a high recommenda-
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 con-
vince the most skeptical of the value
and necessity of hearty and continued
support of great organization that
has accomplished 50 much. Yet with
the lessening of the grip of hard times
entailed ON 6-cent cotton, our people
seem to have lessened in their support
OF the association, and no longer evince
the enthusiasm and loyalty that made
its first two years Of existence so full of
power for good.
'It is believed that this apathy and
indifference is physical rather than of
the spirit, apparent rather than real,
and that the Southern people realize
and properly appreciate the real value
of the association and its work, while
failing to give it that actual and active
support which they believe it to de-
serve But whatever its source or
cause, this failure of the public to do
its part seriously hampers and dimin-
ishes the yigor and power of the asso-
citation, not alone In its finances but in
Its prestige and actual efficiency.
Without tho haokino NJ fha activa gun.