The Tupelo journal., 1908-01-17
BIT h. e. BLAKEsLEE. Jackson.
State Farmers Union.


4 has passed into history. This marks
the second milestone of this great or
ganization, the first meeting taking
place a little less than W. years ago.
1t is by far the most powerful OF the
agricultural societies which have grown
in the country during the past forty
years and promises the greatest good
to it's members.
Many were the comments heard of a
favorable nature upon the excellent
personnel of the body which met at
Jackson, being composed of intelligent
and consecrated men who had the best
interests of the people at heart. The
deliberations we're of an order that
stamped the members as fully capaci-
tated to care of their own affairs with
out the interference or aid of outside
forces. The proceedings were harmoni-
Gus on the whole and there were no dis
sensions that forebode i'll for the future
success Of the organization.
The growth of the Farmers Union in
Mississippi has been nothing short of
phenomenal. Less than two years ago
the State Union was formed when the
total membership was less than five
thousand. A year later this number
had increased to approximately thirty
thousand and today there are fully sew
enty thousand affiliations In the State.
The campaign has been launched to
make it near one hundred and fifty
thousand when the next annual meet
ing is called to order. The movement
to establish warehouses for storing cot
ton was begun this year and thirty
have been provided. This good work
will be prosecuted during the present
year and it is confidently expected that
near one hundred will be in readiness
for the crop next fall. it is a thor
oughly sensible proposition that should
appeal strongly to oil men with bust
ness sense and acumen.
Although the body was sparing in
recommendations for legislation, de-
pending largely upon the wisdom of
the Legislative members for needed re-
forms in that direction, some was en-
dorsed as shown by the resolutions pub
lished in the press of the State already.
One of the most important was the es-
Enlistment of a cotton grading school
at the A. & M. College, where the young
men in school there would have an op-
portunity of learning this important
branch of an agricultural education,
and where special courses could be had
by those already out of school. 1t is to
be hoped that this matter will be prop
erly considered by the legislature dur
ing its session and this need supplied.
The uniform two-cent passenger rate
on railroads was also recommended,
whereby the humblest citizen could
get the benefit of such a rate as we'll as
those who are able to buy two-thousand
mile books. The bucket shops came in
for strong condemnation, and it was
urged upon the legislature to pass a
law that would completely wipe them
out of Mississippi. The proposed child
labor law, as well as a few others of
especial interest to the agricultural
people of the State, were endorsed.
National President Charles S. Bar
rett was with the convention during the
last two days and gave the benefit of
his wise counsel and advice. He pre-
sided during a portion of the time,
was on the floor at other times, and was
OF the greatest assistance to the mem
bers in bringing order out of chaos and
accomplishing the desired ends. Presi-
dent Barrett vas unanimously voted a
resolution of thanks by the body.
A casting up of accounts for the year
1907 evidenced the fact that it had been
an unusually prosperous one for the or
ganization in Mississippi, and the ap-
probation for the splendid work done
by the retiring officers was shown by a
resolution of thanks voted President
Bass and the others unanimously by
the convention. While the present
officers are almost a new deal, it was
not done on account of any lack Of in
terest or dereliction to duty by those of
the past year. It was generally thought
best to rotate according to a fixed prin-
ciple OF our Southern people. Due ap-
probation was shown of the good work
done by those in charge during the past
two years and the new officials will find
no better aids than the old officers.
President Geo. r. Hightower of La
fayette, who will be the official head of
the organization during the coming
year, is n OF the ablest and best
known men in the State. He is a pro-
gressive farmer, an educated gentle
mar and able to hold his own in any
and all company. He had been elected
State senator for the next four years
and resigned to accept the presidency
of the Mississippi Union, an honor that
no man could fail to appreciate. Vice
President I. r. Palmer of Monroe is q
most excellent young man who is MAX
ing for himself a name that is honored
and revered by the people OF Missis-
sippi. Secretary-Treasurer Geo. W.
Russell of Copiah has held the place
two years and smilingly accepts for the
third. He Is a competent and worthy
man who has hit many hard ticks for
the success of the organization. While
a large number of the delegates were
favorable to Henry Bradshaw of Ran
kin for president. who took his defeat
in perfect good humor, and will again
put in sledge hammer blows for the
Union as State LECTURER for tho noxf