Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1908-02-06
BrH 4 BLAxr~LEE. JAcxsos.


President Geo r. Hightower Of the
state Farmers Union has issued the
followlng sensible and pertinent ad-
dress. given to the public on the day he
resigned his place in the State senate,
to take active charge % the position A.
president for Mississippi. Ia this ad-
dress President Hightower outlines the
work of the Union for the year and his
suggestions are well worthy OF perusal
and careful consideration:
In accepting the presidency Of the
Mississippi division oi the Farmcrs' Ed
ucationsl and Cooperative Union OF
America, ! feel that q very great re-
sponsibility h imposed, and that will
need the earnest co operation OF every
loyal citizen in order to successfully
conduct the Affairs Of the organization.
Tho agricultural class in Mississippi i
she foundation Of the States wealth
aud prosperity, and their organization
for the purposes set out in the declara-
ton OF principles should be heartily
supported by every farmer, and ap-
proved by the citizens of all other
classes. IL shall be my purpose TO di-
rect the work Of the Union during the
year lgos In a way to secure the great
e., good for the agricultural people,
and without prejudice TO any other
class or interest We feel that all
classes can and should cooperate with
us to the end that the material welfare
Of the whole State may be advanced.
This organization has reached tho stage
In its history where 1t must be factor
in the great economic questions OF the
country, and with your cooperation
We expect the Mississippl division TO
take the lead. Hoping and expecting
to have the united and solid support of
all loyal citizens, | feel IL incumbent
upon me to state briefly q few o, the
purposes sought TO be accomplished
this year.
"Sixty-fve thousand members are
now paid up and in good standing.
want every Union man aud woman Ia
constitute himself or herself a special
committee OF one upon membership and
begin the work right now to swell that
number TO one hundred and fifty thou
sand by January /, 1909.
Every Mississippian who loves his
State should agita,e and encourage
such diversificat!on OF crops as will
make the State absolutely seli-sustaln-
ing. This diversification should be 50
general as to reduce the acreage of cot
ton very considerably.
with these two objects attained. an
effort will be made to finance all Of the
distressed cotton of the crop of 1905. !
shall, little later, ask certain citizens
Of the State to cooperate with US in
this effort.
"a systematic effort will be made to
install a number Of gin congresses dur
ing the year, thus preparing cotton q,
the gin for shipment direct to spinner.
To this end | respectfully urge upon
the management of the State peniten-
tiary farms to install these presses to
handle the States large cotton crop.
THE question OF cotton bagging 10
take the place Of iute, will receive care
ful consideration in due time, and in
this We solicit the support and co-ope-
ration Of the planters, ginners and all
parties interested in our great money
crop cotton.
"'rhe building OF Union warehouses
at every important shipping point in
the State is necessary TO the success OF
the movement to improve the system oi
handling the staple. We hope that dur.
ing the summer a plan can be evolved
whereby il will be possible to federate
these warehouses with the view OF facil.
itating the handling OF cotton.
"All business pertaining to matters
here outlined. as we'll as to the lecture
bureau, will be handled through my
Office at Oxford. instead OF through the
secretary's Office at Jackson. All qurs
tions for executive ruling must also &c
TO the Oxford Office"
| dots w 1Aaf Vi the Aut-
ton Association speak wisely to his peo
pie. In a recent address ne says:
shortly after the Southern Cottor
Association was organized cotton stead
lily advanced, and for the past thre,
years the price has been higher thar
for many years. While We do not claiu
the earth, we do claim that our effort,
have had much to do with this condi
tion, and we feel that our organization
is entitled to the moral as well as the
financial support Of every man in Mis-
sissippi.
sin all OF our work we hsvs endsav
ored to keep before the minds OF oul
people the necessity for q diversifica
tion of crops and the improvement o
soils. While this subject is as old Al
the hills, it is none the less important
in fact, I believe it to be the mos
important business measure before oul
people today. A great many of oul