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4 The News and Observer —BY— Tie Hews and Observer Publishing Co JOSEPHUS DANIELS, President. Office: Newa and Observer Building, Fayetteville Street. <TR APES (Fg) COUNCIL^ ONLY NEWSPAPER PRINTED At State Capital That Uses the ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: Per year $7.00 Six months 3.50 Always strictly in advance. Entered at the pcstoffice at Raleigh, N. C., as second-class matter. THURSDAY, .... December 18, 1002. A MORNING TONIC. (Horatio W. Dresser.) Every deeply thoughtful person now knows that all reform begins within and with the individual, and spreads, through gradual evolution, out of today into to morrow. THE TO3ACCO CONVENTION TO MORROW AT ROCKY MOUN P. The Tobacco Convention, called by Col. John S. Cuningham, president of the To bacco Growers’ Association, to meet in Rocky Mount tomorrow (Friday) is a gathering of great importance to all North Carolina and of vital importance to the twenty-five counties that depend chiefly upon the cultivation and sale of bright tobacco. The merger of the two great trusts put down the price of bright tobacco thirty-three and a third per cent within six weeks. This 'h but the beginning of what many fear will follow the merger. Only last week the British American To bacco Company was organized by the merged trusts, with J. B. Duke at its head, to absorb the entire export trade of both trusts. Os its object and its pow er, the Southern Tobacco Journal says: “The company will absorb all the ex port factories, those where goods for home consumption are manufactured re maining under control of the trusts in their respective countries. As will be judged from the above facts, the new con cern is an unusually powerful one and is destined to hold a commanding position in the industrial world.” It develops all the time that it is the purpose of the trust to absolutely control the tobacco from the field to the con sumer. They own nearly all the factories, they now take over the export business, they are dominating the retail business, they may soon control the warehouses or compel them to go out of business. Th'n the farmer is absolutely and with out remedy at their mercy, which, of course, means that they will pay just enough to secure the planting of enough tobacco to meet their needs, leaving the farmer no legitimate margin of profits. In view of the wiping out of one third of the price of tobacco in the short space of six weeks, and the future peril to tobacco growers and independent to bacco dealers, it is important that the meeting called at Rocky Mount shall be largely attended. The wisest men who grow' and handle the weed should ex change views and try to agree upon a plan to save themselves from the certain heavy losses that will come to them if they make no attempt to thwart the high handed plans which the trust has de termined to carry into execution. A prominent tobacco man said yesterday that, even if agreement upon the best I-lan could not bo reached at the Fri day meeting, it would do good to let the trust know that their cool taking of 33 1-3 per cent out of the pockets of farmers and dealers could not be carried out without a protest. Ho added: “The Nows and Observer’s vigorous and ringing editorial on Sunday morning has already done good, and forced the trust to make a slight increase in the price of tobacco. The Rocky Mount meeting if it shows that North Carolina tobacco growers and deal ers are in earnest, will do good.” By request of this paper, Col. J. Bryan Grimes, the first president of the State Tobacco Growers’ Association, con tributes a thoughtful and sensible article outlining the need of organized effort, and pointing out measures that he thinks ought to be adopted by the farmers. These suggestions are commended to the consideration of the convention. Col. Grimes is a practical and successful to bacco grower, a sensible and honest man, and whatever he recommends is entitled to the greatest weight. Col. Grimes recommends that the farm ers meet organization with organization. If the tobacco farmers of only twenty five counties would secure a perfect or ganization to prevent the arbitrary re duction of the price of their product, they would do much to hold up the price. If. co-orerating with them, small capitalists in the tobacco section in every strong tobacco town would invest a few thousand dollars in manufacturing cigars and smoking tobacco and conduct a small business, appealing first to home con sumption for anti-trust goods, that would also help in the fight that must be waged if the tobacco farmers are not reduced to vassals of the tobacco trust. The ' success of the Wells-Whitehead Tobacco Company and a few other independent concerns ought to encourage others to make like efforts. Colonel Grimes also takes up the manu facture of fertilizer as one that ought to be considered by farmers. It is a profit able business, the cost of machinery is not great, every w'ell-managed fertilizer company, small or large, has made money. The establishment of factories in the leading sections should be encouraged. It is as Colonel Grimes says “probably the most inviting field for investment in our State today." Much of the material is in the hands of the farmers and they ought to utilize it and save at home large sums novv paid to the giant companies for the fertilizers they are compelled to use. Col. Grimes gives some figures showing the need of a change in the ingredients in fertilizers which he says would effect a large saving to the farmers of the State. This meeting at Rocky Mount concerns llie people of the towns and cities in the tobacco section almost as much as it does the growers of the weed, and the inde pendent buyers, dealers, warehousemen and manufacturers, as well as the farm ers, should be present. Colonel Grimes says with manifest truth that “they can not afford to lose this opportunity to con sult together concerning these matters that so vitally concern their welfare.” BEST IN AMERICA. The Washington Star, which is the best paying afternoon paper in America, has celebrated its fiftieth birthday by issuing a beautiful anniversary number of 114 pages, containing magazine supplement, sac simile of the first issue, illustrated section, industrial section, news and editorial sections. In matter, style and taste the edition is perfect-in keeping w ith the Star's reputation for excellence. It covers its field better than any papei in America, and regularly goes into eighty-eight out of every one hundred homes in the city of Washington. It is conducted upon safe and conservatively progressive lines, and is easily one of the first newspapers in America. The growth of the Star is an almost perfect barometer of the expansion of the city of Washington. When the first number of the Star —an insignificant four-page paper—appeared on the 16th of December in 1852 Washington bore no more likeness to tbe Washington of today than the little Star then boars to the great Star of today. The growth of Washington has done much to help the Star, and by the same token the Star has done much to develop every legiti mate interest of Washington. It has been one of the most potent factors 1n pro moting every enterprise and improve ment that have made Washington the pride of the whole Republic- BILL ARP’S PRAYER ANSWERED. Some months ago, after examining The North Carolina Confederate Records, edited by Chief Justice-elect Walter Clark, Bill Arp said he prayed that Georgia might make similar provision for the publication of its Confederate war history. His prayer has been answered- Near the close of the last session of the Georgia Legislature, Hon. Clark Howell, Senator from Atlanta, introduced a bill providing for the publication of Georgia's Colonial, Revolutionary and Confederate records. The Governor has chosen cx- Govcrnor Allen 1). Candler to compile / these records. Good for Georgia. It is rapidly taking its place next to North Carolina among the most progressive Southern States. Major Moody’s gallantry has been put to the test and he flickered. He has been trying for some time to secure the removal of Mrs. Loduo, the postmaster at Tryon, I’olk county. When the late Pres ident McKinley was a small boy, Mrs. Leduc was his teacher. That gave her the office. Now that ho is dead, his school teacher must make way for a heeler. If England and Germany can destroy the war ships of Venezuela, thus lessen ing its ability to pay its debts, and if they can stay in command of its revenue one day, why not one year? If one year why not ten? if ten why may not the occupancy be continuous? Then what be comes of the Monroe Doctrine? Politics and Politicians. Hon. John E. Woodard, State Senator elect, of Wilson, arrived in the city yes terday and is here on professional busi ness. This will be his second consecu tive term in the Senate, his strength with his party being shown by his re election by a large and increased ma jority. 11c will bring a trained mind to th*' arduous work of the General Assem bly, and will do able service in the posi tions he takes on questions coming be fore the Senate of 11*03 of which he will be a recognized leader. Praise for Judge WiDstead. (Special to tbe News and Observer.) Wilson, N. C., Dec. 17.—At the close of the court held in Wilson the grand jury closed their report to Judge Francis D. Winston os follows: “And we further desire to express to your Honor our appreciation of the courteous and expeditious manner in which your Honor has conducted the business of the court and aided the grand jury in their work, and wc desire to cx -1 ress to your Honor our regret that the State will not longer have the services of your Honor upon the bench. With assurances of best wishes for your hap piness.” Wilson in this commends a judge who has won deserved praise wherever he has presided. THE NEWS AND OBSERVER. TIIIRS ;AY MORNIMG. DEC. 18. 1902 Col. J. Bryan Grimes to the Tobacco Growers. To the Editor: Col. Cunningham has called a meeting of the North Carolina Tobacco Growers’ Association at Rocky Mount on the 19th, and not only growers but warehousemen, manufacturers and buyers are invited to come together and discuss the tobacco situation; for in the fact of the present crisis the interest of one is the concern of all. The American Tobacco Company has absorbed the Imperial Tobacco Company, its chief competitor, and in the past sixty days prices have fallen about 25 or 30 per cent, and will probably go lower. The tobacco farmer is at the mercy of the trust and will be impoverished— the towns in Eastern North Carolina that have prospered so greatly for the last year or two are in the hands of the combination and may be blighted—the independent buyers and speculators who bought heavily before the consolidation of the trusts, are now in their powei and will be ruined, and the warehouse men can live only in thoir favor or at their sufferance. To have a conference of these interests is the purpose of this meeting called at Rocky Mount. It is not supposed that a scheme or plan will be devised that will be a panacea for present conditions or give relief In one year or several years. It is not to be hoped that a young organi zation, without capital can successfully combat a powerful organization firmly entrenched in both the old and the new world, with millions at its command. It is hardly probable that the price of tobacco for the coming year will be forced below the cost of production, as such a course by the trust, followed immediately upon the high prices we have just feeeived, and lowered for no apparent reason except the arbitrary will of the trust, might force the growers in the small area growing bright tobacco (which is limited to Virginia, North Carolina, East Tennessee and South Carolina), in desperation, to combine for self preservation. That combination if made, compactly organized and con trolled, would doubtless determine the price of a product of which they have a monopoly in growing—monopoly against monopoly. North Carolina alone, it is estimated, grows seventy-five per cent, of the bright tobacco made. Such a combination of farmers for even that small territory may be ridiculed, but it is a possibility, and necessity may force them to it. The tobacco crops of 1900 and 1901 were short, so it was seasonable to hope that with w r orld wide prosperity, expanding markets, increased demand, and an average crop this ydar profitable prices would prevail. At Rocky Mount it is desired to haVc a full and free discussion of the situation in all its phases, especially in relation to production, consumption, local co-opera tion, factories, markets, etc- Stops should be taken to curtail the acreage, if possible, and endeavor to restrain the great planting which it appears will be made in 1903, and which must have; a depressing, if not destroying, effect upon prices. Some system should be devised by which accurate information can ho obtained from the various counties as to area planted, yield per acre, proportion of crop marketed, class of tobacco raised, the amount of and kind of fertili zer used. etc. There are no accurate statistics ob tainable and such as we have are merely guess-work; the farmers and dealers are in the dark as to the real situation, and prices arc left to the pleasure of the trust or to chance to fix. Some of the estimates of yield for North Carolina seem ridiculously high and doubtless much tobacco is counted several times, as it is sold and re-sold on the several markets in this State and Virginia, before it is exported. These statistics can be gathered by legislation, supported by the hearty co operation of the State and National De partments of Agriculture and with the aid of farmers’ associations. By being well organized and informed as to true conditions wc can act intelligently and control acreage and production, and in cidentally prices. With the increased demand for to bacco and higher prices for manufac tured tobacco, and with a short supply, no combination or combinations, can be sufficiently strong to absolutely contiol prices. There is a growing sentiment against trusts and a tendency to patronize anti trust, goods, as has been so handsomely illustrated in the magnificent support given the Wells-Whitehead Tobacco Company, and I hope in the next year or two to see many cigarette factories and other tobacco factories established in our tobacco towns, as it seems they could be operated profitably. Farmers’ associations should be oi - ganlzed in every township. These asso ciations, besides gathering and dissemi nating information, would serve as agri cultural schools, and the experience and superior intelligence of one faimer would teach an inexperienced or less gifted neighbor. What is said of the tobacco farmer applies with equal force to the cotton, groin, stock, truck or general fanner. The practical benefits to bo derived from farmers assoc i.itions are too many to enumerate, but 1 wish to illustrate one item alone where by intelligence ard co-operation the farm ers of Eastern North Carolina would save hundreds of thousand of dollars. Until the Legislature of 1901 changed it, the law in reference to fertilizers, required that brands sold in the State whenever any of the following in gredients Were asserted to be present should contain “soluable and precipitate phosphoric acid, which shall not be loss than S per cent.; soluble potassa, which •diall not be less than one per cent.; am monia, which shall not be less than two per cent ” This created an unnatural demand for acid phosphate, as it required about 1,100 pounds of acid phosphate, which is practically controlled ny a trust, to every ton of this fertilizer when the soils did not need it. This exacted, I estimate at least $650,- dOO a year for acid phosphate from the farmers of North Carolina in excess of tho amount of the phosphoric acid they needed. As the law is now, they can use what chemicals their soilsv.and crops re auiro and are relieved from paying this trust tribute if they see fit to do so. The soils of the Coastal Plain are de ficient to potash and if our farmers will use a largo percentage of potash in their fertilizer they will find it greatly to their advantage to do so —making larger crops with cheaper fertilizers, and fertilizer companies will make brands to suit their demands. The brands of fertilizer on the market now, and most generally used, still contain 8 per cent, phosphoric a> id, which phosporic acid is used as a filler and in many soils is entirely unneeded. An intelligent club of farmers could use only what their soils demanded and buy their fertilizer in quantifies, which would be a great saving. As en illus tration of the difference in wholesale and retail prices, 1 will instance one. 1 saw acid phosphate offered in December, 1899 for $6.50 a ton and sold at retail in May, 1900, at $16.00 a ton. If farmers associations would buy the raw material (chemicals) and mix their own fertilizer, they would save several dollars a ton on each ton used, or more than $1,000,000 a year. This alone is worth organizing lor. I have reason to believe that during the year 1903 several farmer fertilizer com panies will he organized in North Caro lina (this is probably the most inviting field for investment in our State today), and I hope that our farmers will soon be sharing with the fertilizer trust some of the profits they are making out of the fertilizers we are compelled to use. For a generation the power and in fluence of the farmer has been waning- In North Carolina four-fifths of our peo ple live by agriculture, but they are a scattered, unorganized mass and do not exercise the influence they should. It has been estimated, that of the young men coming of age in North Carolina annually, about 18,000 become farmers— about sixty or seventy lawyers and about the same number become preachers and doctors. Is there any question as to the. relative influence wielded by these boys individually? Is the farmer wielding the power he should? In the United States today, more *han half its population live on the farm. More than one-third of the people en gaged in “gainful occupations'' work on the farms and they have invested in agriculture twenty billion dollars, or four times that invested in manulac turies. Os the appropriations of the last billion dollar Congress, the smallest of the general appropriations was made to agriculture—ss,2oß,96o when the pro ducts of agriculture amount to five billion dollars annually, ahe “business interests” of the country are organized and are legislated for and protected—the laboring man *s organized and demands protection and his voice is heard—the millions of farmers are forgotten. Why? Because ho will not assert himself—be cause they are unorganized. Combined they would be all powerful. Organization is our hope—it is the key to the situation, and we should meet combination with combination. It*s to be hoped that the general gov ernment will eventually supervise and control trusts, but our only salvation now is in ourselves —let us unite for self protection—in which righteous cause it is only necessary for the farmers to stand together to ultimately better their con dition and succeed. This meeting at Rocky Mount should he well attended. The interests of inde pendent buyers, manufacturers, ware housemen and farmers arc interwoven and interdependent, and they cannot af ford to lose this opportunity to consult together concerning those matters which so vitallv concern their welfare. J. BRYAN GRIMES. December 17. 1902. I,ct mo say 1 have used Ely's Cream Balm for catarrh and can thoroughly rec ommend it for what it claims. Very truly, (Rev.) 11. W. Hathaway, Eliza beth, N. J. I tried Ely's Cream Balm and to all appearances am cured of catarrh. The terrible headaches from which I long suffered are gone.—W. J. Hitchcock, late Major U. S. Vol. and A. A. Gen., Buffalo, N. Y. The Balm does not irritate or cause sneezing. Sold by druggists at 50 cents, or mailed by Ely Brothers, ;>6 Warren St., New' York. contracted Rheumatism during the civil war, owing to the constant ex posure, and up to a few years ago suf fered torments. The best of doctors failed to help him. A friend recom mended Dr. David Kennedy’s Favorite Remedy, and it cured him completely. Dr. David Kennedy’s Favorite Remedy is rec ognised as a specific. It purifies the blood and dissolves the excess of uric acid in it, clears up tbe urine, restores the Kidneys and Bladder to their normal condition and gently moves the bowels. It is better for Constipation than any pills. Better for the nerves than any sedative. Better for the weak than any tonic. All druggists sell it in the NEW 00 CENT SIZE and the rperuk'- Si .00 size bottles. Sample bottle—enough for trial , free by mail. Dr. David Kennedy Corporation, Rondout, N. Y. Br. David Kennedy’s Golden Plasters strength on lluseies, remove pain anywhere, 15c each. Appeals to you on its merit. Its reputation costs you nothing. O t&r g Want Your g | House Moved ? g * THAT 1 DO. e ’ f O 9 o And can alwavs serve f % promptly Write or tel- £ | egraph, | I J. N. CREEL, | S Dunn, N. C. ••*9*99099«999999ft99e9 Doesn’t cough much through the day. It’s when night % 1 comes that he coughs so hard.” J Don’t let these night coughs deceive you. Some day you jj may wake ut> to the fact that your boy is thin, pale, weak, § I even seriously ill. You can’t safely trifle with any throat or I lung trouble. Cure the cough quickly with |Ayer 9 s Cherry 'Pectoral! It’s the same medicine your old doctor gave you when you | I were a child. The young doctors indorse it now, too, jot i 1 coughs, colds, croup, bronchitis, consumption. Three sizes: 25c.. 50c., SI.OO. J. C. AYER CO.. Lowell, Mass. | y ‘jAS I in MUTUAL A Penn II CO. OF I'HILA,, |t l£ J|L jf Assets Over $50,000,000. Surplus Over b,000,000. v*4v*|ca -SmiTw/M Commenced doing Business in 1817; in North Caro lina in 18 74. ■ >- The Best Company for the insured. Therefore the Best for the Agent. Commenced doing business in 1847; in North Carolina in 1574. The Best Company for the insured. Therefore the best for the agc»t. SEVERAL SPECIAL AGENTS WANTED. Most liberal contracts to deserving men. Agents can do more business for TH E PENN than for any other company. Ask its 4,000 policy-holders in North Carolina, carrying over seven millions of insurance. Gold Bonds, Endowments, Life, Term and all other approved policies at low rates with large guarantees, and annual or deferred dividends. R. B, RANEY, Gen. Agt- lor N- C, Raleigh, N. C. It has been learned from gcod authority (those who have tried the ROYAL FELT) that Santa Claus takes his long sleep on a He spends 364 days and nights in each year sleeping, and this very fact is evidence that he has a good bed to sleep on. Os course it is “THE BEST,” for he has nothing but the best of everything. Have you thought of requesting Santa Claus to bring one of these mattresses to some one to whom you intend making a present? ■■ Write for Booklet. "The Royal Way to Comfort." Royall & Borden. Goldsboro, N. C. Raleigh, N. C. Put ham, N. C ELLINGTON'S ART STOKE In addition to our regular stock of fine pictures, frames, mirrors, etc., we arc showing for the holiday trade, a very select line of lino china, bric-a-brac, stationary, brass and silver novelties. In our Fancy Goods Department, too, wo have proviucc* liberally for Cni.st mas, and you can find here everything you wish in tho way of embroidery ma terials, silks, braids, patterns, “Utopia” wools, Germantown, Saxony, Shetland Floss, lee Wool and Zephyrs. Wool Slipper Soles, Pillow lops. Cords and lussels, Down Pillows, Pin Cushions, etc. Pyrography outfits and material, blanks and stenciled pieces. Tou are invited to call and examine this showing. Store open at night until Christinas. J. C. ELLINGTON, JR, 112 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, N. C.
The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)
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Dec. 18, 1902, edition 1
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