Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1923-04-13
AN APPEAL TO
TOBACCO GROWERS.

Mr.. EDITOR ~ will appreci-
ate a space in the columns of your
paper that I might have word
to say concerning one Of the most
important subjects that is up to |
the farmers of today to consider
and to act on Organization.
Why cannot our tobacco grow
ers and in fact every man or
woman who expect to earn their
living by most any occupation in
Southern Maryland see the need
and necessity of "a Tobacco Grow
ers' Association for their own
interest aud that of their county,
and be willing to lend it help.
ing hand. Brother tobacco grow.
ers, | am a poor man among you,
and | know there many who are
far more intelligent, and that is
enc reason l cannot understand
why the growers and especially
the poor ones don't join the As
sociation and make it a success.
We must do it, as it seems that
ruptcy, live in poverty and allow
many of us must go into bank
others to enjoy the profits that
we have labored for, and those of
you who think you have enough
of the worlds goods to last your
life time, what about your chill
dren You will say, Il will
leave them a few dollars and per-
haps farm, /" but have you
overlooked the fact that you will
also leave them in bondage, for
we are today nothing more than
slaves for the organized BUSINESS
associations, just as much slaves
as the colored race was seventy
years ago. only in different
form, and we must remain in
this condition as long as we grow
tobacco and allow the other
man to name the price we must
take for it, and the farm you are
leaving your child will only prove
tool for him to use in serving
his master.
Some will say they are not
slaves, but don't You think &C.
cording to your energy and
economy you should have been
worth ten times the amount.
The other man who sets under
an electric fan while you are
toiling under a scorching sun is
your superior in wealth. Why ?
Now, | know some will say Il
joined the Association, but they
didn't treat me right" Yet
these same parties many times
have not made any investigation,
only to write Mr.. Gardiner in a |
fit of passion, and go about to
public places and abuse the AS
ISOLATION and try to tear down
all the work that has been done. |
There is no association that can
at all times please each individ-
ual member, but they do not
and should not try to destroy
the whole association because
they were not exactly pleased.
i have been a member of the
Association since it was first or
ganized, and have placed every.
thing that have put on the Bal
timore market in their hands for
sale, but / have not been a per
feet member; l have made my
mistakes. Therefore, how can
we expect the body to be perfect
when its member or members
are imperfect. | for one will
try to improve and if allowed,
will remain a member.
Now, / understand we are to
have local meetings as near as
possible in each community
throughout Southern Maryland,
when an extra effort will be made
to complete this organization.
Brother tobacco growers, will
you neglect answering this call n
Come out; don't be a Stacker.
Join the Association, work for
its success and try to correct
the mistakes or wrong acts that
in your judgment may have oc.
CURED. Put yourself in a posi- |
tion to be entitled to a part Of the |
honor of victory. By so doing,
in one or two short years afterI
you have given the Association
controlling power, you will real |
ize that we were slaves and have
just been emancipated.
Young ladies', if your lover be |
o tobacco grower and is not a |
member of the Association, urge |
him to join and if he win not, II
think him not worthy of your
hand, and would advise at least
a careful consideration, for there
is something wrong within.
With sympathy for all and best
wishes for the Association, | re-
main,
Your friend,
GEO, d. ESSEX.
parran. Md. March Of 1000