The Semi-weekly leader., 1908-02-15
President Clarke 81 the Cotton Asso.

President Clarke Of the Cotton Asso.
citation and President Hightower OF the
Farmers Union have been before COM
mittees of the legislative bodies re-
Gently in the interest of legislation for
the benefit Of the agricultural people
of Mississippi, urging action that will
help the farmers of the State. These
officials are very active and energetic
help but be of the best kind The good
people should back them up in every
move they make, for it goes without
saying that it is for the betterment of
conditions among the farmers and the
allied interests.
The proposition to bring about uni.
form system of gin compression that Is
being urged by both of these gentle
men, as well as the wrapping of our cot
ton in cotton bagging, is an important
matter. There are SO many points to
be given in support of this change that
it would be hard to enumerate them,
but suffice it to say that it would be
worth millions Of dollars to the people
of the South each year. Both reforms
will bring about long and hotly con-
tested fights with the interests that
have controlled the crop for so many
years. 1t is foolish to think that these
people who have multiplied millions in
vested will give up without desperate
struggle. The compress interests will
of course start in every nerve to pre-
vent the general adoption of gin COM
preston, and in this they will find pow
erful allies in the railroads that are in
terested also in the congresses. The
adoption of cotton would seriously af-
feet the jute people and they would of
course put up the ablest fight possible
to prevent its use in general. There is
community of interest feeling be-
tween all of the trusts, and it is likely
that they would combine to fight the
proposed reforms.
And for this reason, if for no other,
the people of Mississippi should stand
shoulder to shoulder, backing up the
efforts of their officers to bring about
changes that would materially advance
their interests. That the contest will
be long and strenuous there can be no
doubt, but it must be won and in the
battle every man, woman and child has
part. Give this matter careful con-
sideration and act as your conscience
dictates.
The suggestion that the State install
the gin compression plants on the con-
vict farms is a good one. In the effort
to bring about a general adoption of
this system of handling cotton, the
State could and should aid the move4
ment by putting up it's five thousand
bales in that manner. This would
stimulate the change and encour-
age individuals to fall into line in
way that might not be accomplished
otherwise. Walter Clarke and G. r.
Iightower, both practical farmers, are
enthusiastic in favor of the plan and
will appear before the board of prison
trustees to urge its adoption. The
Union and Cotton Association have,
both memorialized the board to put the
plan into operation, ana no doubt the
next crop will be handled in that man
ner. 1t means endorsement by the
State of plan that would be worth
many thousands of dollars to the farm
ers every year. The State comes in
competition with the farmer in the pro-
duction of cotton and can be a great
help to them in aiding this great move
ment.
Cheering news comes from every part
of the State with reference to the fifteen
cent holding movement. The farmers
are standing by their agreement ad-
mirably, as one brother says, "we are
out of biscuit just now, but will eat
bacon and corn bread until we get the
price that we feel we are entitled to-"
Another thing that looks good is the
fact that there is general determina-
tion among those who have heretofore
bought largely on credit to cut it out
for the present year. The great move
ment inaugurated three years ago is
bearing fruit of a substantial nature.
Even if cotton does not go to fifteen
cents this year, it has been lowering
around the twelve cent mark for some
time, with the prospect of going higher.
1t is safe to say that the Union and
Cotton Association are responsible for
it not being down to the eight cent
mark. Keep up the fight. Great good
has already been accomplished and
prospects for the future are bright in
deed.
The prospects for number of new
county fairs to hold their initial meet
ings this fall are good. Several COM
munities have taken up the project and
promise to push it to a successful ter
mination. AS has been often said in
this department., no better investment
can be made by community than in a
we'll conducted county fair. They give
a stimulus to agriculture and stock
raising that is worth many times the
small amount of money needed to place
one on foot. 1t is to De sincerely hoped
that in few years the county without
a fair will be an exception.
Mississippi is still safe and sane, the
fears OF some few interested parties to
the contrary Notwithstanding.
Call it what you please, but when the
Mississippi farmer has corn in the crib
and bacon hanging in the smoke house,