The National Co-operator and Farm Journal (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 28, No. 30, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 1, 1907 Page: 1 of 8

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JOURNAL
Volume 28.
DALLAS. TEXAS, WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 1907.
Number 30.
Farmers
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AN ADDRESS.
The Tennessee Farmers' Union State
Executive Committee Issues a
Pronunclamento.
Milan, Tenn., April 16, 1907.
To The Membership of the Farmers'
Educational and Co-operative Union
of Tennessee—Greeting:
We, your committee and the Advi-
sory Council, every member being
present, in conference assembled hav-
ing reviewed the work of our organi-
zation during the year since we were
chartered as a State U nion wish
to make known the results of this
work.
Starling one year ago with 153 Lo-
cals, we now have 500.
Beginning without a cent in the
treasury, and having met every emer-
gency, we are now out of debt and
have $1200 in the treasury.
The progress has been almost exclu-
sively in the Western Division of the
State. Every western county Bave two
has a charter.
The utmost harmony and good will
pervades the order without a jar or ill
feeling in the State management.
Ffom every section of the United
States wherever the banner of -the or-
ganization has been planted, the glad
tidings come of phenomenal growth
and unbounded enthusiasm.
We wish to extend our congratula-
tions to the Local Organizers for their
splendid success and salute you in
grateful acknowledgement of your
valiant services. To you is delegated
the task of bearing the brunt of the
battle as vanguards in the march of
progress.
We have been told that Middle and
East Tennessee would not organize
because they are not cotton raising
sections.
Regulating the price of any one crop
is merely an incident in working out
the general plan. They do not raise
cotton in Illinois, where we have 35,-
000 members; nor in Indiana, Ore-
gon, California, nor Kentucky, and
yet all these States are rallying to the
same cause. It matters not what the
surplus crop may be, there is a science
of marketing it. The tobacco belt,
the cotton belt and the wheat belt
are no more subject to the law of
cause and effect than every producer
who has a surplus to market. The
stock raiser knows that the price of
stock 4$pends on the price of farm
products. It Is as much to the advan-
tage of the wheat raiser to secure a
market for his crop in the cotton belt
by standing by the cotton raiser in
securing equitable prices as it is for
the steel trust to hunt markets in for-
eign lands for the iron, steel and ma-
chinery of the great manufacturers.
The mere fact that the growers of
any staple product or the manufac-
turers" of any artjcle of commerce are
organized tends to add to the pried1
of the article controlled by them. Un-
less the producers can have the same
power to regular markets that all oth-
ers arrogate to themselves commer-
cial justice will be a farce, equity a
mockery, and the golden rule a comic
dream. Our organization proposes to
throw into the hands of the producer
just as the Declaration of Independ-
ince and the Constitution of the Unit'
id States threw civil power into the
lands of the people, dethroning roy-
ilty, abolishing caste and abrogating
seated power. We will admit that the
'armer has never in a systematic and
irganized way exercised this business
prerogative, but we trust that the
progress of the ages has developed a
:itizenship strong enough to cope with
;ondltions and challenge the powers
that be on the battlefield of human
*ights, and with the sword of defense
in one hand and the trowel to con-
struct in the other reveal to the kin-
dling gaze of an enlightened race new
vistas of glory for Him upon whose
ihoulders is the burden of the world.
We must not lose sight of the fact
that we shall have to contend against
every conceivable method of opposi-
tion. For instance, we have a cotton
warehouse in Milan, from which is
now being delivered nearly a thou-
sand bales which were recently sold
to the Newberger Cotton Company on
grades, the buyer and seller agreeing
on a grader. The cotton is weighed
by the warehouse manager; then it is
sampled, the number of the bale placed
in the sample, and it is stored in the
sample room to be classified or graded
when it is all weighed. No man liv-
ing knows or can know what that cot-
ton will bring in the aggregate till the
number of grades is announced. In
the face of these facts, some irrespon-
sible and unprincipled party or par-
ties are getting items iuio the daily
and weekly papers to the effect that
the farmers have lost thousands of
dollars by storing in the warehouse.
Speculators have been putting out all
kinds of reports and trying to buy
from depositors and get them to with-
draw from the Union sale. The same
tactics were tried by the agents of
the tobacco trusts in the organized
tobacco districts. We hope you will
see through all such schemes of com-
mercial parasites
Comrades in a common cause, link-
ed by the ties of a common interest
and of fraternity, we appeal to you
in the spirit of those making a final
stand in a mortal conflict with organ-
ized greed, to stand firm and waiver
not, though storms of opposition rage.
This organization, built up at your
expense, is your citadel. Pride your-
selves on your loyalty, as it means
to be your own best friend.
One million farmers in one grand
organization and increasing at a rap-
id rate, espousing the principles of
justice, equity and the Golden Rule,
cheers our hearts and raises our hopes
as we carry'its banner to the farmers
of America. We can lean upon this
purpose, with a firm trust in the guid-
ance of Divine Providence, as we in-
voke the blessings of grace upon the
sincere supporters of these eternal
principles of a righteous life.
Respectfully and fraternally yours,
J. T. UPTON,
T. J. BROOKS,
SELDEN R. WILLIAMS,
A. A. WEBB,
H. P. HUDSON, M. D.,
T. N. EPPERSON,
W. G. PERKINS,
J. E. MONTGOMERY,
Committee.
HALLS GRAND RALLY.
Greatest Gathering of Farmers' Union
Ever Held in Tennessee, Thou-
sands Present.
The Greenfield (Tenn.) Progressive
Farmer gives the following graphic,
vivid sketch of the great Farmers'
Union rally at Halls. This rally was
to celebrate the victory won in Halls
by the Union warehouse in the sale of
nearly 800 bales of cotton at tiie min-
imum price of 11 cents, and that was
more than duplicated a few weeks ago
by the sale of 1000 bales at above the
minimum basis. Read and see what
co-operation and waiebonies lead to:
Thursday. April 4, was a great day
for The Farmer's Union members in
Lauderdale and adjoining counties,
when they met at Halls to celebrate
"the victory of November 30, 1906,
and the completion of the big cotton
warehouse."
Trains both ways were crowded, al-
though extra coaches, were added to
accommodate the great throng. A
long line of march was seen on every
country road leading into that thrifty
little city early in the morning. Dy-
er, Crockett, Haywood, Obion and Tip-
ton Counties were especially repre-
sented on this occasion. In fact, there
were about as many visiting Unions
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he could witness such a great event
in his own home town.
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PRAISES CO OPERATOR.
Faithful Worker Congratulates Union
Cause on Merger of Two Na-
tional Papers.
on the ground as members of Lauder-
dale County Union.
At 10 o'clock that great leader of
men, R. W. Wagster, and our noble
State Organizer and Lecturer, J. T.
Upton, commenced to get Locals, vis-
iting Union men and women lined up
for the great march, headed by the
Halls Military band. Now that, was a
sight to behold! Banners, flags and
badges floating in the breezes were
patriotic to behold indeed. The in-
spiring music added enthusiasm to tho
great demonstration.
Through the assistance of our friend
Fussel, we caught the following ban-
ners:
Hall's Union: On It were 46 stars,
represting 46 States in the Un-
ion. Number of members, 50.
Bancum Union: Number of mem-
bers 39, who contributed $1.25 ex-
penses. Inscription on their banner,
"Equal Rights and Good Will to ..II
Mankind."
Double Bridges: Numbpr of mem-
bers, 20. Inscription, "The Victory
Won at Halls Nov. :!0, 1906."
Lighlfoot Local: Inscription, "Equal
Rights to All, Special Privileges to
None."
Chapel Union: Number of mem-
bers, 42. Inscription, "Minimum Price
11 Ceuts."
Curve Union: Inscription, "United
We Stand." On it were 13 stars, rep-
resenting the Cotton States.
Poplar Grove Local: Number of
members, 80 Inscription, "Marching
On to Victory."
Chestnut Bluff Local: Number of
members, 76.
Forked Deer Local: Number of
members, 19. On it was a cartoon,
showing the farmer has the specula-
tor down with his foot on his neck.
Flli'pin Ix>cai: Number of members,
60. Thirteen stars, representing the
cotton States. "United we Stand,
Victory Is Pure," and below were
pictures of spinner and grower shak-
ing hands.
Percifell Local: Number of mem-
bers, 39. Inscription, "No more Chat-
tel Mortgages." Cartoon showing an
officer leading the last cow off and
woman standing in door crying.
Johnson Local: Thirteen stars,
representing the Dixie cotton States.
Ripley Union: "Labor Shall be Re-
warded." Significant cartoons on ban-
ner. Number of members, 50.
Dry Hill Local: Number of mem-
bers, 25. Inscription, "For Education,
Co-operation and .the Golden Rule."
Union Hill Local: Number of
members, 38. Inscription, "Strength
in Unity."
Beech Grove Union: Number of
members, 20.
Nankipoo Union: "We Demand .lust
Prices." Number of members, 09.
Fifteen stars.
Pleasant Valley Union (Newbern):
Members, 48.
Riifcrford Union, F. E. and C. U.
of A.: Members, 39.
Edith Local: Number of members,
52. Inscription, "Faith, Hope and
Charity. May God Bless Our Cause."
There were others probably, but wo
failed to catch them; but suffice it to
say that we think there were others.
The band marched through the streets
of Halls, and thence to the grove
northeast of the city, where a plat-
form was built upon a lot of cotton
bales.
On the stage were seated National
Vice President J. E. Montgomery,
Gleason; T. J. Brooks, State Secreta-
ry-Treasurer, At wood; J. T. Upton,
State Organizer and Lecturer, Halls;
W. B. Savage, State Chaplain, Halls;
Sam Young, State Vice President,
Chestnut Bluff; R. L. Harnett, State
Organizer of Kentucky, Harwell; and
probably others.
R. W. Wagster's address was a-
plenty for the visitors and needed no
response. Among many witty things
he said for his home town were about
as follows:
"Halls is the most favored and best
located town on the face of the whole
earth. By looking at tho map you
will discover that it is due west of
every place east and due east, of every
place west of it, and is on a direct
line between the Northern and South-
ern poles of the earth's axis, and
seems to be the center of gravitation
to the whole material universe. In
fact, one of our poets has called it
the apex of immensity.
"It stands at the exact spot where
the life-giving spring-time sun kisses
the eart' every morning in the year,
and from which the frigid winds of
the North are kept away by the love-
inspiring and perfume-laden zephyrs
from DHie-'s k< -i roast. It is
surrounded by a soil so fertile the
far-famed valley of the Nile would
look like a sand bank In tho great
desert of Sahara.
"Tho beauty Of our women Is so In-
toxicating that they have to wear veils
to keep our men sober. Wo have
farmers so industrious that the bees
have been worked to death trying to
maintain their reputation. We iiavo
horses so fleet of foot tiiat tho lurid
lightning's flames can not light their
pathway on a Chickasaw race track. It
is salt! that the prehistoric mastodon
died of a broken heart and vanished
from tho face of tho earth at having
seen, with prophetic eye, the size of
our hogs. Be that as it may, the
hogs are hero and the mastodon is
gone.
"With these and other good things
too numerous to mention, It is only
a question of time when the best of
earth's good things will segregate to
Halls, the most beautiful and happy
of God's creation."
in a most eloquent manner did Bro.
J. T. Upton present Hon. T J. Brooks
to the vast, audience, about one-third
of which was composed of the fair
ladies of Lauderdale County. For
about one hour he held his audience
closely upon the subject in hand.
Following tills were announcements
and that great and bounteous dinner.
Now that was a dinner of many a
dinner. Thousands enjoyed that din-
ner on that happy occasion, and we
must say that arrangements were car-
ried out perfectly. They had a big
spread In regular Farmers' Union
style. All this selfish way of running
off was cut out at Hails—Just one
long table, that's all.
in the afternoon R. L. Harnett de-
livered the speech of Ills life—full of
gray matter, wit, wisdom and elo-
quence. His presentation of the keys
of The Farmers' Union Warehouse to
the Hoard of Directors was a word
picture.
President J. E. Montgomery came
next with a brief speech, on account
of the lateness of the hour, but It
was to the point and received most
cordially by the audience.
This was, Indeed, a great day for
Tho Farmers' Union in Tennessee.
State Organizer J. T. Upton was the
happiest man on the ground, it
seemed to make him feel rejoiced that
Editor Co-Operator: When I toro
tho familiar wrapper from the Mer-
cury-Password—as I thought—and
found The National Co-Operator, I felt
like one who had just received a mes-
sage of the death of one very near and
dear, for I had been a reader of (ho
Mercury, and a contributor to its
columns, since the early days of the
Farmers' Alliance.
I realized in a moment what had
been done—The Mercury was dead In
body, but resurrected in spirit, and
clothed with the form of The National
Co-Operator, with added glory to its
well earned laurels; and, but for tho
fact that 1 well know this union of
two great papers will be like that
union of two great souls, for the bet-
terment of both, and of all with whom
they come lu contact—I would liavo
felt more like woeping than rejoicing.
This merging of our two papers of
Natloiml reputation. uives to The
FarmeryUnion js pnjnfr vuder ,a man-
agement uneq i .led Ip the history of
industrial organization
The National Co-Operator! No bet-
ter memo could be selected. And as
for tho great man whose name is
known and so Intimately associated
with every reform during and since
tlx! old Alliance days, I can say noth-
ing that could add luster or a star
to the crown ho will wear. O. P. Pyle
is in the hearts of the Union people
and may he ilve to reap all the honor
and glory of a life devoted to tho
great cause of industrial freedom.
But I cannot say "good-bye" to Milt
Park. My long and Intimate friend-
ship, and my thorough knowledge of
the great character, whose every heart
throb was for the great mass of hu-
manity—whose unselfish and lofty
mind so long directed the utterances
of The Mercury, Is still with us. Milt
could uot light any other battle than
for the people, any moro than a leo-
pard can change spots.
But enough. Let us determine that
Tho National Co-Operator shall go In-
to a million homes, where it will silent-
ly plead for the cause which Is as
dear to O. P. Pyle as It Is to the more
than one million of true Union men
and women who are now struggling
for "Justice, Equity and tho Golden
Rule."
Fraternally,
ANDREW J. CAROTHERS,
Houston, Texas.
APPROPRIATE RESOLUTIONS.
DELTA COUNTY UNION.
Hon. O. P. Pyle, Editor National Co-
Operator Delivered a Forceful
and Eloquent Address.
Cooper, Texas, April 29, 1907.
Last Friday, In the city of Cooper,
in this. Delta County, transpired much
the most Important event lu the his-
tory of the county.
Our County Union was In session
Friday and Saturday, with a large at-
tendance, with a public meeting at
night, to which all classes were 1n-
vlted. One of the largest audiences In
the history of the city attended, filling
our spacious courthouse to overflow-
ing. A nice program of music and
recitations bad been arranged, which
added much life to the occasion.
Tho main feature of the evening,
however, was the address of Hon. O.
P. Pyle, editor of what we In Delta
County believe to be the greatest pa-
per published, the National Co-Opera-
tor of Dallas, Texas. The address
created a profound impression among
all classes and callings and did untold
good to the cause here.
Editor CoOpcrator: The Limestone
County (Texas) Union held Its regular
meeting at Tehuueana on April 19
and 20 and adopted resolutions as fol.
lows:
We most heartily endorse the actios
of the legislature In regard to the bill
known as tho Dean autl-gambling bill,
in its passage, realizing, as we do, that
it is one grand step in tho history of
this our great commonwealth toward
blotting out the haunts of vice and
Immorality. We feel that It will serve
to rescue the young men of our coun-
try from the great evil of gambling;
and whereas, it cost the sacrifice of
a brave and noble hero's life upon
the altar of duty that It might give
strength and firmness to the same.
We shall ever hold tho much loved
defender of these principles in tender
memory and extend a deep heartfelt
sympathy to the bereaved ones.
A resolution was also adopted,
thanking the legislature for the pass-
age into law of the anti-bucket shop
bil.l A. M. NABORS,
President;
JOHN W. YOUNG.
Kosse, Texas. Secretary.
MADISON COUNTY UNION.
To The Co-Operator: Madisoa
County (Texas) Union at its meetln*
held at Peedee April 12 and 13, had a
good session. It adopted a resolution
indorsing and commending the Texas
Legislature for passing the anti-bucket
shop bill; also protesting against Jap-
anese and Chinese emigration into
Madison county; asking the peace offl-
cers of tho county to vigorously ear
force the laws.
J. L. POTEET,
J. T. LTTMMIS,
W. P. RANDOLPH^
Madisouville, Tex. Committee,
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Delta County Is the home of Bro.
W. S. Miller, a member of the Nation*
nl Board of Directors of The Farmers'
Union. Delta County feels honored to
have this great distinction. Brother
Miller enjoys tho entire confidence,
love and veneration of not only tho
members of The Farmers' Union, but
also of all classes. His work in this
county for our cause cannot be overes-
timated, and we are glad to know that
his sago advlco is doing much to
correctly shape the policies of tho
organization in the Nation. We learn
with much pride that It was W. S.
Miller who, at the Washington con-
ference with the spinners last May,
did so much to bring about a correct
understanding between the spinners
and tho planters. It was he who,
when usked by an English spinner if
he thought the cotton producers could'
get along without the spinners,
promptly replied by asking the gentle*
man if he thought the spinners could
get along without the cotton producer,
the answer electrified tho convention
and did much toward bringing about
a more perfect understanding.
At our meeting last Friday and Sat-
urday there was much talk about the
building of a cotton mill in Delta
County. Tho farmers of the county ar«
very enthusiastic over the matter, and
It now looks us If It. will be done. Wo
fail to see why we should not manufac-
ture our own cotton.
Another feature of the meeting was
an address by Professor Proctor, of
tho United States Agricultural Depart-
ment, who under the direction of Dr.
Knnpp, is establishing small experi-
mental farniB over the State. His ad-
dress was very Instructive. Our peo-
ple should take this matter of proper
seed selection, proper land building
and proper cultivation up, and study it
thoroughly. Every acre of land should
be made to produce to its fullest ca-
pacity. Fraternally,
R. D. TANNER.
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