The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-11

Governor H0ke Smith, Hon. IhoinaS
E. Watson and Editor Ferd L. Seely,
of the Georgian, will be passengers on
the same train for New Orleans tomor-
row, where they are all going bent on
the same misunderstanding the farmers
union cotton convention which will meet
to see If something cannot be done to-
ward holding up the price of cotton.
1t is significant that they are attend
ing the New Orleans meeting rather than
that held at the same time in Men,
phis and for the same purpose. But then
the Southern Cotton association has prac-
tically ceased to exist while the Farmers
union is an exceedingly live organiza
ticn.
Governor Smith and Mr. Watson are
sworn political enemies ever since Mr..
Watson withdrew the support which he
gave the governor in his first race. Ed
tog Seely was likewise, for a time at
least, persona non grata with the chief
executive, since he strongly inclined to
the support of Mr. Brown but the chasm
has been somewhat bridged over.
But both the governor and Mr.. Wat
son are down for speeches before the cot
ton cOnNenIlO%l on lHuISudy, November
H. though of course, nothing in the ma
ture of politics will be INDUCED in.
1t was unfortunate that both of these
cotton meetings could not have come to-
gether at the same place as well as the
same time, but the rivalry which has
existed between the Farmers union and
the old cotton association has not been
forgotten And it is likely to keep the
two apart for some time to come.
Notwithstanding this number of the
association members and officers have
gone into the union. Notably among these
is NJ. L.. Johnson of Barlow county, for
two years president of the Georgia divis-
ion of the Southern Cotton association,
who is now a prominent member of the
union. and has gone as delegate to the
New Orleans meeting.
A special train of six cars left here
this morning for New Orleans carrying
the Georgia delegates, including both
members and non-members of the union.
Governor Smith appointed 90 delegates
from Georgia, both to the New Orleans
and the Memphis conventions, and there
will be quite a liberal attendance of these.
lust what the two conventions will do
toward boosting up the price of cotton
Ia still an enigma The holding move
;,,ent seems to be the only feasible solu-
tion of the problem and 1t is considered
probable that both conventions will work
along this line Both of them, too, will
have something pretty definite to say in
condemnation of night riding.
Mr.. Lii Sum Ling the editor OF the
Hong Kong Chinese Mail who has been
travelling through the south on an infor-
mation-gathering tour, will go both to
Memphis and New Orleans, but merely
as an onlooker.
When Mr. Ling learned. upon making
inquiries in Atlanta, about the object OF
these cotton conventions, he was some
what in doubt about the ACCESSIBILITY of
,is even going to either place while the
conventions were on. because of the fact
that he is looking out for the interests
~ his people and what they want Is
cbaner cotton products. He did not want
~ he mt In the attitude of even appear
tho m indorse by his presence any move
,pent that looked to putting up the price
~ cotton which might have the result
~ Increasing the cost OF cotton goods
to his countrymen
He finally concluded. however that no
such Significance could be attached TO
his visit since his primary object is TO
secure information on all SIDES or TINS
and other questions that may interest his
.,,aonle and he determined not to lose so
good an opportunity as this VIII be Tor
talking with people who have the knowl-
edge which he is seeking. Accordingly
he left Atlanta yesterday afternoon for
Memphis and will go from there to New
Orleans. :,
Editor III is anxious to see friendly
alliance established between the United
States and his country looking to the de-
yelopment of trade and the, prevention OF
foreign territorial aggression in China.