Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-02-25

Fully 500 strong, the state organization
of the Farmers union convened in the
hall OF representatives of the state cap
business session. Presiding over the
meeting was J. L Lee, of Union City,
president Of the state organization.
The first session convened promptly at
10 o'clock. and owing to the fact that
all sittings of the business meeting are
strictly executive. representatives of the
/ press were excluded from the gathering.
President Lee. however, stated to a
Journal representative that committee
on publicity would be appointed by him
during the early part of the meeting,
and that this committee would be in
structed to give out whatever was proper
for dissemination through the newspa-
pers.
According to President Lee, the organ
fzation finds that so much business Of
an important nature accumulates during
the year, that II is impossible to attend
to 1t all at the regular meeting, when the
elections of officers are held. The spe-
cial gathering here has, therefore, been
called to transact whatever important
business may be before the State Farm
ers' union.
It is probable that the sessions will
last for several days and that num-
Der OF matters of vital Importance to the
entire agricultural population of the
state will be disposed OF during that
time. There was no regular program
prepared, the regular routine of business
as followed at executive sessions of the
Farmers union being observed.
TO EDUCATE FARMERS.
While President Lee made no admis-
sion to that effect, and everything done
will occur behind closed doors, II Is
thought probable that much of the meet
ing's time win be devoted to the discus
sion of a campaign for the promotion Of
educational work among farmers in the
state. The Farmers union has turned
its attention directly upon this subject Of
late. and much activity is being displayed
| therein.
Charles s. Barrett, president OF the ma
tional organization of the Farmers union,
was the chief parsonage of interest at
the Tuesdays session of the Georgia state
convention.
During the morning President Barrett
made an address which was received with
enthusiastic applause by the immense and
interested audience gathered in the hall
of representatives at the capitol. Presi-
dent Barrett confined himself chiefly 10
the matter of securing desirable legisla-
ton beneficial to the farmers Of the coun-
try.
FIGHT AGAINST GAMBLING.
During the course OF his remarks he out
lined in a clear and forceful manner the
fight that the National Farmers union is
making against the gambling features Of
the New York Cotton exchange.
The speaker pointed out in unmistaka-
BILE maner the harmful effects, so far as
the cotton producer and farmer is con-
\ cerned, of the present system of gam
bling prevailing on the New York ex-
change, and said that the Legislation
which the Farmers union is now urging
| upon congress is absolutely essential in
order to stamp out the evil at present
prevailing to the detriment and embar-
/ rassment of the men who grow the crop.
In dealing with the matter of securing
legislation, Mr.. Barrett said that 1t was
a simple matter for the farmers to Sc
cure the right kind OF laws.
There is no need for organizing q
i new party" he said. Neither is there
any reason for allowing our necks to be
CALLED by the yoke of the old ones.
MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.
"All that is necessary is for you farm
ers TO go to your congressman and your
senators and let them understand that