The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-07-11
FARMERS
UNION NEWS
Pr0C4oAl Thoughts for PYactaoal
JSrWeeH
Conducted BY r. w. Dabba Pros
ident z c. Farmers Unien.)
Some Random Thoughts.

The Concord meeting Of the Coun-
W Union was even more interesting
than usual on account Of the matters
discussed, and tho action that was TAX
en-. Before this Is published we hope
our efforts to have cotton weighed
more expeditiously at the Sumter plat
form will be worked out to the satis-
faction Of all concerned. This alone
will be worth to every farmer who
markets a bale Of cotton during the
rush season more than his dues to
the Farmers Union for a year.
Another matter that we are work.
ing on Is to make Sumter a better
cotton market, one that will always
pay such prices as will mako it worth
while for the farmers anywhere in
reach Of 1t to sell his cotton there. The
facts are that 1t has not always been
SO, and with the slow Weighing, has
lost to the Sumter market several
thousand bales Of cotton annually.
Some weeks ago a prominent citi-
zen of Sumter aired his ignorance Of
recent history by saying 1.-The Farm
ers' Union has not been worth q
d." May 1 ask why is 1t that so
many other prominent citizens, not
strictly eligible, seek membership in
the Union. II the remark of my friend
quoted above. ia true? And also what
agency brought about many reforms
in Sumter county that can name, il
not the Farmers Union?
=.
Before this remark was made the
officers Of the State Union had sent
out letter to all tho local and coun-
ty unions for information as to what
the union has accomplished since it
was organized. and when these are
compiled will take great pleasure in
sending copy to my friend quoted
above. But really his opinion Is not
OF so much importance as the care
less taking for granted by so many
Of tho farmers that measures the
union has brought about would have
come any way. That the union has
had no influence on tho prices Of cot
ton. or goods. or fertilizer or terms Of
credit. or upon better marketing ar
or upon better farming
Every man who keeps posted knows
that there Is improvement In all these
things. He also knows that they did
not just happen so. but that they are
the results Of the studies and discus
sions Of the earnest body of men who
constitute tho Farmers Union--a mere
handful compared with the whole
number Of farmers in the county II
all had Joined, and had been as faith
full as the few who are still working
for 1t. there would be a still better
showing made.
j. Frank Williams. j. NJ. BrOgdon
and Hugh Witherspoon were elected
delegates to the State meeting Of the
Union which convenes in Anderson on
Wednesday. the 22nd. Concord local
has elected its representative to this
melting Its very efficient secretary, Mr..
w. L. DrunsOn. I hope the other To-
col unions will publish the names of
their members who will go so that we
may make up the roll beforehand. On
Tuesday the 23rd the people of An
derson will provide automobiles to
take the union to Clemson College,
where 1t will be the guest of the col
lege for the day. This will be a very
nice trip. and worth more than the
cost ofthe entire week to our low
country farmers who have never been
to Clemson or who have never travel
ed away from the railroads.
T.. w. ID.