Weekly Courier Journal

THE ROAD TO WEALTH.

Cotton-Growers Advocate Further Diversification of Crops.

The Cotton Growers' Convention, in session last week at Montgomery, Ala., adopted resolutions on the following subjects:

First-Reduction of cotton acreage and increased attention to production of cereals.

Second-Greater attention to stock and cattle-raising.

Third-Encouragement of manufacturing in the South, exempting manufactories from taxation for a period of ten years.

Fourth-Encouragement of immigration; resolutions advise that large plantations be divided into small farms and the latter be sold to bona fide home-seekers.

Fifth-Recommendations that cotton be withheld for sale by farmers who are not in debt to their factors, and that it be held for a raise, which may reasonably be expected if present heavy receipts are appreciably reduced.

Sixth-The organization of the Cotton Planters' Association of the United States of America, to meet at least twice a year and to consist of four delegates from each Congressional district in the cotton growing States and three delegates at large from each State irrespective of party preference, said association to hold its first meeting in Jackson, Miss., the second Wednesday in January, 1895.

Seventh-Cotton seed trusts condemned.

Eighth-Congress petitioned to pass the Anti-option Bill.

Ninth-Congress to be requested to refund the cotton tax collected in 1866-67.

The convention then organized the new association by electing officers to serve until the January meeting, as follows: Gov. Stone, of Mississippi, President; Hon. J. O. Wardell, of Georgia, Commissioner of Agriculture for Cotton-growing States, Vice President; R. E. Lekberger, of Alabama, Secretary, and Prof. James S. Smith, of Georgia, Treasurer.

The Chairman of the convention was requested to issue an address to all business interests, asking co-operation in obtaining the objects of the association. The following special resolution was adopted:

Resolved, That the honest conviction of this convention as practical cotton growers is that the estimates that are being sent out by the Cotton Exchanges in reference to the crop are excessive, and it is the belief of this convention, based on practical observation and best statistical information, that the present crop will not exceed eight and a half million bales.