The herald and news. (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, January 05, 1906, Image 1
VOL XLIII. NO. 2 NEW3ERRY. S. C. FRI DAY. J NUARY 5. 190'. TWIOE A WEEK. $1.50 A YEAR
COTTON ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL SESSION
ENTHUSIASTIC MEETINU OF REPRESEN
TATIVE PLANTERS FROM1 EVERY
SECTION.
All Officers Reelected-Resolutions Con
cerning the Acreage and Holdiug
A Cotton Were Accepted-To Put
Warehouse Advocate in the
Field.
The State, 4th.
Scoffers may laugh and jeer at
the great movement for the eleva
tion of the price of cotton as intend
ed by the Southern Cotton associa
tion and the subdivisions in the va
rious states, but if- these ,sneerers
could have been present yesterday
at the convention of the South Car
olina men who are back of the great
agitation, their ideas would have
been altered. They were not fanat
ics, these men, notf renzied by pov
erty into fabulous day dreams and
visions of untold luxury. They
were representative, intelligent and
substantial, and working steadily
and surely toward a clear solution
of their plan.
The determination and vigor with
which these delegates approached,
the issues were remarkable. There
were over 120 present trom every
portion of the state and each dis
played a lively interest in the pro
ceedings.
Three sessions of the convention
were held, but the delegates re
sponded to all, even in the face of
the horrible weather, and despite
the fact that so many wished to be
at their homes. At night the num
bers were slightly diminished.
Perhaps the most important thing
done by the convention was the de
cision to appoint a "warehouse pro
moter.' Although it was at first
thought a good thing to have a
committee of several leading spirits
it was afterwards decided that
these could not do the the efficient
work of one enthusiastic man. This
promoter wvill go into every coun
ty. in the state and urge the farmers
to erect warehouses.
All of the officers wvere unami
mnously reelected. Inl connection
with these. Mr. E. D. Smith. the
president. wvas elected a national
committeeman by acclamation. The
trust imposed in Mr. Smith by the
stat e association was manifest
throughout the convention. The
other delegate elected was M\r. Mc
Tver Williamson of Darlington.
* Delegates were elected to the
convention of the Southern associa
tion in New Orleans next week
and an executive committee was ap
pointed. It was also determined to
ask a bale tax of ten cents in each
county, the various couakes to for
mulate their own plans of receiving
these contributions.
Reduction of acreage where not
reduced this year and the holding
of the cotton wvere two points dwelt
upon throughout the meetings with
enthusiasm.
P'RESIDENT SM ITHI S SPEE~CII.
In beginning his speech, Presi
(lent Smith saidl that it was a curi
ous thing that the whole country
for 40 years hadl looked on cotton
as a staple over which it had the
control to make the prices. to regu
late the outpt, andl yet it was in
the power of the south to (1o this.
"We are 40 years b)ehindl and we
had to pay the horrible debt of 40
years of s1averx," said M\r. Smith.
"We have learnedi to make it at
six cents and, by the eternal godls,
we have learned to sell it at twelve."
he criedl with ringing enthusiasmn.
"Now that the south is prosper
oils, Southerin fialiod li1 as assert
dlemandl has no0th1ing to doI' with cot
to m( m11now from this time on. the
south will ictate the price of cot
ton. The movement extends from
Tennessee to Texas, from the Rio
Grande to the Atlantic.
-Air. Smith wanted the efforts of
the convention directed to one end
-the reduction of acreage. For
mulate such legislation that the
world will see that the south is de
termined not to overload itself. \We
have retired enough cotton to make
the price 13 cents a pound and the
mills must give the price or shut
thei'r doors and the run of the spin
les must cease.
The Asheville convention was not
a puerile gathering but the con
sensus of opinion of the cotton
growers of the south. The price
was placed at 11 1-2 cents and the
manipulators immediately pushed
the price down to 9 1-2- cents. de
pending on the fact that there were
some weak producers from whom
they could get 2,000,000 bales.
These 2,000,000 bales gone. and the
weak growers sifted out. the issue
was again put to the mills.
This is not alone a farmer s
movement but a southern issue. On
one side of a bale of cotton is the
manipulator with 115 years' experi
ence and the money of the world
hehind him. On the other side is
the man of. the south and behind
him are poverty and debt. But the
weak must triumph.
Mr. Smith dealt with the plan for
cooperation between the southern
banker and the southern farmer.
The bond between is the price of
southern prosperity and the brain
and money and the labor and exper
ience must at last combine. This
stateiiient was met with applause.
There is an inexorable law in the
commercial as there is the social
world.- The reason we are down
trodden is because we are too ig
norant to understand the laws of
trade.
"I am a democrat." said Mr.
Si:ith, "just as long as it means
Anglo-Saxon supremacy. but I do
not want to swallow everything
anded the south by the part..Had
the cotton lplanter been a northern
an he would be receiving 30 cents
a p)oundl for his cotton."
M\ r. Smith is alwvays eloquent and
e painted a fine wvord picture when
oparing the conserved energies
f the coal mine to a cotton field.
'The southern cotton field is a coal
ine and all the hopes and all the
a5spirations of a southern p.eople are
ouredl over the silken staple" He
ai l: .
"I want the stream of gold turn
:dl back into the southland." wvas a
ienificant utterance.
He congratulated every man in
South Carolina and in the south
ho had joined in this movement to
throw off the shackles. "Let 'em
call it a trust. I don't give a damn
as long as it bring a stream of gold.
But I shudder when I think of
6oooooo people cringing under
the lash of that sneering gambler
who sits and smirks in WVall street
-Theodore A. Price!
"Now. gentlemen. the fight is be
fore vou. If yo don't get 15 cents.
ome1bdly's going naked. They say'
the farmers won't stick. They have
stuck to starvation for 40 years.
e have got the manufacturer and
the consumer in a sweat boN and wve
are going to sweat 15 cents out ot
them."
In concluding he said that he had
servedl as b)est he could for 12
onths. Hie had been criticizedl
but he had got what lie wanted and
M Ir. Smith related the rise in cot
oi prices under the influence of the
ass)ciation. "TIf all the lies that have
quent and interruptillg applause
and the natural nagnetism of the
speaker held his hearers intent.
The report of tile executive Coll
littee was read and adopted as fol
lows:
"The execuitve committee of the
Southern Cotton association South
Carolina division met in the office
Of the association Janl. 2nd. 1906.
Present were: Messrs. Cleveland,
Pe(Tues. Farr and Singleton.
I"The president appointed I )r.
Wade Stackhonse to fill vacancv
cat.sed by death of \I r. A. C. Lvles.
"The committee examined the
books and accounts of the treasurer
and checked off the same. Thev
find that this division of the associa
tion has received from all sources
$7.636.32. and has paid out to the
national association $2,300- expen
ses $2,342.69. salaries $1.884.33,
making a total of $6,527.02-leav
ing a balance on hand to the credit
of the association of $1,109-30
"Resolved, That the salaries of
tile officers of this association be
tendered then as directed by this
committee at its first meeting, that
is to say: President, $i,ooo: secre
tary. $6oo: treasurer. $6oo per an
"Tle committee desire to call the
attention of the association to the
work accomplished by the officers
of tile association. the president, the
vice president, the secretary and the
treasurer. to whom is due in a great
measure the success of the move
ment and we take pleasure in ex
tending them our warmest thanks.
"All of which is respectfully sub
mlitted.
"R. Maxs Cleveland,
"F. M. Iarr,
"Richard Singleton.
"R. M. Pegues.
"Wade Stackhouse."
Mr. F. H. Weston, the secretary
.f the association. announced that
he wished to conltribute to thle asso
ciation tile salary of $60o. whlich tile
associationl hadl expected to pay
him. Mlr. R. 1. Manning mladle a
rngoing speech,. in which he urged
thlat Mr. Weston, having worked
hard andi faithfully. shlould accept1
the mon01ev. even if only as a token
>f esteeml. -Other speechles wereL
mlade in support of tihis motion andl'
a vote wvas takenl, being unlanimious
in favor of tile motion.
Tile p)resenlt officers were reelect-i
edl. These included the..followving:1
President. E. D. Smith of Sumter: 1
vice p)residlent, T-{. B. Tindal ot
Greenville: secretary. F. H. WVeston
>f Richland: treasurer, F. H. Hyatt
'f Richland.
Before the question was puit,1
President Snlith said- thlat if any
lelegate wanted to mlake any other1
lnominationls he hloped thley wold(
:l0 so. He wanted to avoid any ap
Dearance of anything cut and dried.
rile vote wvas taken and Mr. A. B.
Stuckev of Sumter cast the ballot.
There was then a questionl as to
rhethler tihe executive commuittee
;houldl be appointed or elected. Tile
llnmbers wxere applointedl last year.
A\ vote was taken and tihe chair was
mstructedl to appoint all executive1
:omlmittee. The samel action was
:aken in regard to the finance coml
li ittee. :
lni sp)eaking <>if a warehous)tle c iim-1
mi1ttee. \MIr. Smith saidI that tile
:comminlttee should be active and en
rg'etic. le inlsisted that it be coml
pose of(l( tile best imen iin tile state.1
Therle was C considerab)le (iscus
i(on1 as to whether the chair should
1ppioint thlis commlittee or it should1( t
)e electedl. Thlere wer'e pln to
have a mlemblier fromi each counlty
111i(I agaill t> limlit. tlle lllelll)ershi
ter further liscussion it was decidea
to appoint one memiber from each
county. The chairman appointed
one (elegate from each of these and
the convention adjourned for din
ner at 2 o'clock while the big com
mittee of over 30 members met in
the interim to formulate plans for a
warehouse comnmittee.
.\FTERNOON sESSION.
At the afternoon sess:on various
resolutions were handed in and
turned over to the committee on
resolutions which with the other
CLm()Ilmittee retired to consult. On
motion of Mr. McIver \Villiamson
a committee of five was appointed
bv the hair to confer as to salaries.
WNhile the committee was out
President Smith called for express
ions as to reduction of acreage and
imong others Mr. F. H. WAeston be
gan to speak but was interrupted by
the appearance of the warehouse
committee. The report of this
:oimittee brought about a discus
sion which was continued for a
lengthy period.
The committee recommended
that a warehouse committee consist
ing of seven men one from each
:ongressional district be appointed,
.he chairman to be the secretary of
'he state association, who would
also represent his district. This
:ommittee was to cooperate with
:ounty committees of not less than
-hree members who should be ap
)ointed by the various county pres
dents. Mr. R. I. Manning r,ead
he recommendation. Mr. A. B.
Stucker of Sumter immediately
,ose and in a very intelligent speech
noved that instead of such a plan
:hat a "warehouse promoter," who
;hould handle the entires ituation.
should handle the entire situation,
recited the experiences of Sumter
:ounty. which was for a long time
vithout a ian to start the move
nient for a warehouse and used this
n behalf of his argument. He be
eved that a good mian could go
nto the counties andc get the farm
:rs to take stock in these ware
iouses. lbs speech was vigorous
md( hie was warmly applauded. HIe
;-as followved along the same line
>v Mr. B. H. B3oykin Rev. R. A.
~ubktt and others. Mr. Stuckey
vas about to offem his idea as an
~mendment and in fact did so. when
he suggestion was made that the
;tate president sheirY be constit
( the officerV deSi.' 'd~. .Xon ;O &ti
inc Mr. R. P. Hamer. Jr.. said that
he committee on salaries had rec
>mmendled that the president's sal
try should be increased. The plan
> promoter-organiizer-president"
rought out more discussion. Some
hought the work wvas too much for
me man as he wouild have to go
nto every township and especially
ts Mr. E. D. Smith is now financial
Lgent and general organizer of the
3outhern association. Mr. Smith
leclared that he would be satisfied
vith the decision of the convention.
ut he seemed to advise a special
varehouse man. Mr. F. H. Hyatt
leclared that the state would not
iave Mr. Smith's services much
(nger. as lhe would probably be
nIade national canv~asser when the
Kew ( )rleans conmention met.
Col. L. W. Youmnans broughit the
natter to a head by mo ving that
he executive committee inlsteadl of
warehouse co mmittee appoint the
vareho)use agent and pay him such
alary as they~ should see fit and that
he count\y commiiittees of not less
han three be appointed by the
ounity presidlents to cooperate with
his agent. This was idlentical with
\ ri. Stuckey's motion and it was
pte<l at z.2o o'clo ck. after a long
.ljs )ii -t' l N (I \ ' .
.crage he redncedl 25 per~ cent ex
ej wh vere it ha(l h1 )Clon( ie in I100
and where there was oniv one mule
to ten acres was adopted. The
word "plow"* was substituted for
the "mule" without discussion. An
other resolution adopted was that
the county secretaries report to the
Columbia office the result of the
county elections especially that of
the delegates to Lhe state associa
tion. Still another resolution adop
ted endorsed the Southern Cotton
association, urged closer bond be
tween grower and spinner. between
farmer and banker and urged the
representatives and senators in con
gress to use means to make foreign
markets favorable to American and
southern products. Another clause
advocated diversification of pro
ducts and the raising of home sup
plies.
A resolution was recommended
providing for a bale tax levy for the
support of the state, county and
southern associations. one-third to
go to each.
THE BALE TAX.
When this came up there was
some question as to the tax collec
tion he had hired men to do this.
Orangeburg had been about $1.400
deficient and this amount had been
divided into the townships. deduct
ing in each the money which had
been already paid. After this Mr.
Wannamaker had easily collected
money from farmers and friends
alike.
Mr. Louis Appelt of Clarendon
felt that each county must formu- I
late its plan of collection.
The resolution. proviling for a
10 cent tax with each county to for
mUlate the plan was passed. The
words of the resolution do not make
the tax obligatory but only "ask for
it."
CHINESE EXCLUSION.
A rather radical resolution was
adopted in regard to Chinese labor
This reads:
"Whereas, our Chinese Immigra
tion laws have been apparently
formed under the pressure of labor
unions. reinforced by race preju
(lice, and
I"Whereas, it is high time for our
commercial interests, reinforced by
the American commerce. to take a
hand in forming these laws and
"Whereas. the Chinese exclusion
act is not only in violation of their
treaty rights, but its ap)plica.tion is
carried on in such harsh and unjust
manner as to cause that amiable.
peace-loving and friendly race to
rise in resentment, as witness the
boycott of American wares.
"Resolved. That our senators and
rep)resentatives ini congress b)e urg
edl to take this matter p)romp)tly and
vigorously in hand to the endl that
justice may be clone and our comn
mercial interests protected."
INATIONAL COMMITTEEMEN.
The next business in order was
the election of two national commit
teemen and Mr. J. E. W'annamaker
nominated .Mr. R. P. Hamer. Jr.
.r. R. M. Cleveland nominated
.Mlr. II1. B. Tindal, D)r. W. W. Ray
no(minated M\Ir. Mc lver Williamson.
(ol. Richard Singleton nomlinatedI
M r. E. 1). Smith. .\r. A. B.
Stucker nominiatedl .\l1r. R. I. M\ an
ning. but .\lri. .\ Iaiming felt that he
shon!dI decline " fo r reasonms .which
ii(I n no think necessary to mention
here.'' -.\Ir. I . F. Keller nominated
.r. E. 1). Smith and Dr. WV. WV.
Rav* mo)ved that the rules be su s
pended and .\ Ir. Smith he elected!
bx' acclamiatio n. T'his was (lone
amid cheers and applause and Mr.
Smith was evidlentlv touched. for
he thiankedI the c(on1venitionl feeling'
.\ votde was taken Ior tile otier
c)tllHhllit'lnell blit rL'ie ill 1 a
as f l\w : illiamlson1 .43. I bainer
.( and Tind(al 1.4. .\ !r. W\illiamsonm
was dlecllred elected.
NIGHT SESSION.
The first business at the night
session was the election of delegates
at large to the New Orleans con
vention next week. Eight were
nominated instead of seven as in
tended but the convention suspend
ed the rules and sent them all, in
addition paying their railroad fare.
Those who will go are: J. E. Wan
namaker of C)rangeburg, J. P. Rut
ledge of Clarendon. F. H. Hyatt
of Richland, E. L. Archer of Spar
tanburg, G. M. Kinard of Newber
rv, R. M. Pegues of Marlboro, Le
Roy Springs of Chester and H. B.
Tindal of Greenville. These are in
addition to the delegates from each
countv.
The following executive commit
tee was appointed for the year: R.
M. Cleveland, Richard Singleton,
F. M. Farr, R. M. Pegues, Wade
Stackhouse afid i. E. Wannamaker.
The regular business of the con
vention was concluded about g
o'clock aid several talks were made.
Mr. McIver Williamson announ
ced the salary committee had
determined to leave the matter to
the executive commitee. This rec
ommendation was adopted.
There were enthusiastic calls for
E. L. Archer. president of the
Spartanburg county association and
one of the most intelligept, energet
ic and successful organizers in the
state, and he made a speech in re
sponse. He said that the men in
front of him were not the real suf
ferers from cheap cotton but rather
the small farmer. He did not wish
to be thought a demagogue. He
made the statement that farmers
outside the association had increas
ed their acreage and thus there had
been no real reduction.
"We have no more use for Dan
iel Sully than for Theodore Price,
for we are 'not engaged in specula
tive values."
In making a plea for holdling cot
ton. Mlr. Archer saidl that a farmer
with oats and hay and flour and
supplies (lid not need to (10 else than
hold his cotton.
In accordance with his ideas, Mr.
WX. I. Bryan submitted a resolution
that the New Orleans convention
be memorialized to devise means for
the use of cotton for fertilizer bags,
horse collars. etc.-in any way in
which cotton might be substituted.
for other material. This was adop
tedl.
.\nother resolution adopted was
that the executive committee be au
thorized to appoint a state organiz
er. This will be combined with the
office of warehouse promoter.
Col. L. WV. Youmans made a
spech depicting the change in as
pect of the south-the transition
from p)overty to wealth. He be
lieves that the southerner has got
the game in his own hands. Don't
sell your birthright for a mess of
pottage, lie begged in pleading for
holding cotton. "Bec true to your
selves."
M r. Mlver Williamson gave an
interesting talk on corn production
before the convention adjourned.
Fifteen-Ton Pieee of Coral.
I Ih>oiIllul( )iCoecial .\dlvertiser.
lhe dlredlger G overnor. in the'old
P'acific Mlail D)ock, did herself
>ro)ud yesterday morning by landl
ing~ a fifteen ton piece of coral on
lry landI. The b)ig scoopl hlad been,
leliveingt' ordinary loads when the
>Omi dlroppledl and the engine start
ed to haul in fresh loadl. Then the
ear groanedo and( things commenc
C( to make big fnss, and more
teamN was iven and( everybodyv
ano hr. I alanced as neatly as an
n1)a spon came upl a coral
-akiar 1to hi t& gt in the scoop
thi gu t bl op tun e