Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1908-01-16
State Farmers' Union.

esN namrIw onlOu.
The State meeting OF the Farmers
Union held at Jackson January .. 3 and
= has passed into history. This marks
the second milestone Of this grea, or.
ganization, the first meeting taking
place little less than two years ago.
IL 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 its members.
Many were the comments heard OF .
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 were Of an order that
stamped the members as fully capaci-
tsted TO care Of their own affairs with
out the interference or aid Of outside
forces. The proceedings were harmoui-
Gus on the whole and there we're 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,
70 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 thor
oughly sensible proposition that should
appeal strongly to all men with BUSH
ness sense and acumen.
Although the body Was sparing in
recommendations for legislation, de-
pending largely upon the wisdom o,
the legislative members for needed re-
forms in that direction, some was en-
dorsed as shown by the resolutions pub
kshed in the press Of the State ALREADY
One of the most important was the es-
tablishment of cotton grading schoo.
at the A. & NJ. College, where the young
men in school there would have an op-
portunity of learning this importan,
branch Of an agricultural education,
and where special courses could be had
by those already out Of school. II is 70
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
GA railroads was also recommended,
whereby the humblest citizen could
get the benefit Of such rate ~ we'll as
those who are able to buy twothousand
mile books. The bucket shops came in
for strong condemnation, and IL 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 few osksrs of
especial interest TO the Agricultural
people Of the State, we're endorsed
National President Charles 5. Bar
re.t vas With the convention during the
last two days and gave the benefr Of
his wise counsel and adviee. He pre-
sided during q portion of the tine,
vas on the foor At other times, and vas
Of the greatest assistance 70 the men-
bers in bringing order ou, Of chaos acd
accomplishing the desired ends. Presi-
dent Barrett vas unanimously voted =
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
ganizAtioa in Mississippi. and the ap-
probation for the splendid work done
by the retiring officers was shown by q
resolution OF thanks voted Presiden,
Bass and the others unanimously by
the convention. While the present
officers are almost . nev deal, IL was
not done on account of any lack of in
terest or dereliction 10 duty by those OF
the past year. IL was generally y though,
best 10 rotate according to . fixed prin-
ciple Of our Southern people. Due ap-
preciation 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
faycsse, who will be the official head OF
the organization during the coming
year, Is one Of the ablest and best
known men in the State. He is q pro
gressive farmer, an educated gentle
man 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 tina,
no man could fail to appreciate. Vice.
President T. r. Palmer of Monroe is a
most excellent young man who Is max
ing for himself name that Is honored
and revered by the people Of Missis-
sippi. Secretary Treasurer Geo. w.
Russell Of Copiah has hell the place
two years and smilingly accepts for the
third. He Is competent and worthy
man who has hit many hard licks for
the success of the organization While
large number OF the delegates we're
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 the next
year. He is thoroughly consecrated TO
the cause and never sulks in his tent.
Business Agent Welch, Chaplain Will
son and all the officers are good and
true men, strongly imbued with love
for the order and its teachings. The
executive committee is an especially
able body of men which win handle the
affairs Of the Union safely and we'll
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