The Tupelo journal., 1908-02-07
BY Il. e. BLAKEsLEE, JACKSON.

President Geo. r. Hightower Of the
State Farmers Union has issued the
following sensible and pertinent .ad-
dress, given to the public IN the day he
resigned his place in the State senate,
to take active charge of the position as
president for Mississippi. In 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:
SIN accepting the presidency of the
Mississippi division of the Farmers Ed
vocational and Cooperative Union Of
America, ! feel that a very great re-
sponsibility is imposed, and that will
need the earnest cooperation of every
loyal citizen in order to successfully
conduct the affairs of the organization.
The agricultural class in Mississippi is
the foundation of the States wealth
and 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. 1t shall be my purpose to di-
rect the work of the Union during the
year 1908 in a way to secure the great
est 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 the stage
In its history where it must be a factor
in the great economic questions of the
country, and with your cooperation
We expect the Mississippi division to
take the lead. Hoping and expecting
to have the united and solid support of
all loyal citizens, I feel it incumbent
upon me to state briefly a few of the
purposes sought to be accomplished
this year.
"Sixty-five thousand members are
now paid up and in good standing. ]
want every Union man and woman to
constitute himself OR herself a special
committee of one upon membership and
begin the work right now to swell that
number to n hundred and fifty thou
sand by January l, 1909.
every Mississippian who loves his
State should agitate and encourage
such q diversification OF crops as will
make the State absolutely self-sustain-
ing. This diversiication should be so
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 1908. l
shall, a 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 at
the gin for shipment direct to spinner.
To this end l 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 to
take the place of jute, will receive care
full 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.
"The building of Union warehouses
at every important shipping point in
the State is necessary to the success of
the movement to improve the system of
handling the staple. We hope that dur
ing the summer a plan can be evolved
whereby it 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 ques-
tons for executive ruling must also go
to the Oxford office"
Again does Walter Clarke of the Cot
ton Association speak wisely to his peo-
pie. In a recent address he says:
"Shortly after the Southern Cotton
Association was organized cotton stead
lily advanced, and for the past three
years the price has been higher than
for many years. While we do not claim
the earth, we do claim that our efforts
have had much to do with this condi-
ton, and we feel that our organization
is entitled t o the moral as we'll as the
financial support of every man in Mis-
sissippi.
SIN all of our work We have endeav-
ored TO keep before the minds of our
people the necessity for a diversified
ton of crops and the improvement of
soils. While this subject is as old as
the hills, it is none the less important
lin fact, l believe it to be the most
important business measure before our
people today. A great many Of our
The three days institute held by the
Ridgeland Local Union wa a success,
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