The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-11-15
BLEASE D|SCOURTEOuS =?
SPIRITED REPLY OF MARLBORO
COTTON MARKET.
Action of Governor i'm Refusing to
Call Extra Session OF Legislature,
With View to Reviewing Farmers
Of State, Without Granting Hearing
Requested, Severely Criticised and
Characterized Undemocratic-Rca-
sons for Refusal Fail to Satisfy.

Bennettsville, Nov.9.-Mr. j. J.
Evans, representing the committee
appointed by the mass meeting OF
Marlboro farmers. has made reply
to the letter Of Governor Blease. This
committee. which is composed of
Senator ]. b. Green, Representatives
J. j. Evans, F. p. S. Pegues Don Nc
Queen. Mr. Charles Crosland and
former United States Senator Nc
Laurin, following the instructions OF
the mass meeting, telegraphed the
Governor asking for a hearing for
next Monday in the matter of calling
an extra session Of the Legislature to
consider the cotton situation. The
Governors letter was received here
yesterday, it having previously ap-
peared in the press. The committee
had hoped, at least that the Cover
nor would extend to it the courtesy
of a meeting.
The letter Of Mr. Evans, which .he
Governor will receive tomorrow, is
as follows:
ITO His Excellency, Hon. Cole L.
Blease. Columbia, South Carolina
Dear Governor: Il have the honor
to acknowledge the receipt Of your
20 4I,ia 6ofn Tn
telegram requesting a hearing for
the representatives from this county
on the subject Of an extra session.
The request was made in response to
the decision Of a mass meeting Of
Marlboro farmers. held last Monday
in the Court House. My message to
you was not through the public prints
and 1 regret sincerely that you did
not accord us a hearing before reach
ing your decision.
"Waiving, however, the discourtesy
to us, it does seem that mass meet
ing Of Marlboro citizens might have
expected an opportunity to present
the reasons which caused them to
make this request. The right Of the
people to speak in mass meeting in
free Government is supposed to be
sacred and will be a protection against
| injustice long after the ephemerai
power Of the willy politician has pass
ed away.
The old-time theory. and the only
valid reason for a democracy, Is to
do the greatest good to the greatest
number, and l do not conceive that
there is any manner in which you
could better employ the functions of
your great office than in assisting the
farmers Of this State TO secure bet
ter prices for the products Of their
labor. 1t is not a good shepherd
nv dear Governor, who would sit
on a stump and impartially allow
the bears and the sheep 10 fight 1t
out. The crafty and the strong
should not be allowed to compel the
weak and simple to fight them on
their own grounds. and the Govern
ment take no consideration of mercy,
Justice and the eternal moralitles.
"Your Excellency says that the
holding Of the cotton crop now Will
do no good except to a few wealthy
farmers Most respectfully, we beg
leave to differ with you on that
question Any advance in the price
! of cotton would he of great advan-
tage. not only TO few wealthy far
mers' but to every man, woman and
child in the South. Cotton is the
basis Of our wealth. In this county
not one-half of the crop has been
ginned. Much is being held in the
hope OF help from @omewhere.
81 believe that a call from YOU for
the Legislature of South Carolina to
meet in extra session, to do what she
|
present holding movement, would Of
itself advance the price of cotton ma
terially. If the crop Of South Caro-
lima is ,2OO.O bales, a cent a pound
would mean six million dollars to the
people of the State.
81 think, Governor. that you are
mistaken about the poor farmer
| getting no benefit; it is the poor far
mer' who needs it most; the poor
farmer operating under lien and
mortgage. that these times are liter
ally crushing into the earth. Com
PEELED to buy his supplies at eXor-
bitant prices, he is now forced to sell
at a cruel sacrifice. The fact is. my
dear Governor. the rich farmer is
a myth, the last one evaporated when
cotton went below 10 cents.