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VOL 1 -NO 81.
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A Warning Voice from Dr. Felton.
The following extracts from a letter
recently written by Dr. Felton, is
spicy reading:
Nkai: Cautkiwvii.u:, Ga., August
10.—To Cnssvillo Farmers' Alliance,
Sir. Scott Dodd, President, Sir. Lon
Gilbert, Secretary: Gentlemen—I
have received a copy of your resolu
tions instructing me, as one of the
representatives in the State legislature
from this county, to vote against all
appropriations of public money for
higher education; and to vote all such
appropriations to common schools.
Permit me, gentlemen, to say that,
as a representative of the entire peo
ple of the county, and having the
prosperity and happiness of Georgians
in view, especially the white farming
class, of whom I am one, I cannot and
will not obey your instructions.
It is believed that these instructions
were managed and instigated by per
sons who had ulterior objects in view,
and who arc using the Fanners’ Alli
ance all over the .State to make these
objects a success for their own person
al benefit.
It is understood that there is a cen
tral authority which Jias sent out its
agents to carry out its purposes, and to
instill such prejudice^ into the minds
of the farmers of the State as will per
manently injure the Farmers’Alliance
and defeat the noble ends for which
it was originated. ■
After eplaining what bis hill pro
poses to do for the common schools,
the Doctor goes on to say:
Out of the remainder of the rental
of the Western and Atlantic railroad,
I only ask that a few thousand dollars
he set apart to provide high schools or
district colleges or county academies
for the white girls and boys, that they
might at least he able to compete with
the colored pupils, who are trained,
hoarded and taught everything that is
to be learned in first class institutions
of the country. My hill, therefore,
simply provides for the white children
THOMASVILLE, GEORGIA, FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 1G,
titions sent to the members of the leg
islaturc from the Farmers’ Alliance,
coming from the different counties of
the State, against higher education, in
favor of the Olive bill (which is a bill,
in my judgment, destructive of the
rights of property, communistic in its
tendency, and dangerous to the mate
rial prosperity of Georgia), and pe
titions touching other matters and
questions before the legislature. They
all betray the marks of a central con
trol—hatched and concocted in preju
dice, and for the benefit of designing
demagogues, so that I fear your Far
mers’ Alliance is rapidly becoming a
secret political organization, under
the control of 'a central bead, and
helpless to disobey orders from the
center, and which, if it is not better
regulated and modified, will cause it
to share the fate of the know-nothing
party.
Even now, the two prominent can
didates of your order are fighting each
other to the death for the governor
ship of this State. The whole State
is being vigorously canvassed for that
purpose, and no sort of a gathering
can occur, unless some political agent
is present to sow seeds of discord and
enmity. Nearly every speech is
clothed in maudlin sympathy for the
farmer, while the cloven foot of self-
interest and pecuniary benefit shows
underneath. All those who have axes
to grind are well paid, I understand,
and you arc “whooped up” that you
may be more effectually fleeced of
your hard earnings.
As certain as we live, the farmers
of Bartow county and of the State,
will he forced to throw overboard
some of these designing men to pre
serve their self-respect and protect
their pockets. It is to he regretted
that an organization composed of
fanners, and devoted to farming and
nothing else, should thus array itself
against education, progress and ele
vation of the farmers’ children above
the common herd, and show itself
turned into a political machine, to clc
vate spoilsmen into the public oflices.
of Georgia similar educational privi- U '® a f ca rf ul outlook when paid
u cdotv.d agents arc sent over the laud to array
ty northern philanthropy. If
you desire to'suppress the white race
and give supremacy to an inferior
race, your resolutions express your
wishes, hut I trust you were ignorant
of their elleef. These colored colleges
:md educational advantages for col
ored people arc being augmented by
millions every year from northern
generosity and sympathy. The north
ern people, who fought to free the
slave, are determined to educate him
(and I am not opposed to their mu
nificence) and they are rich enough to
atlord opportunities fhat soutliern
poverty will never rival in its gifts to
white children and their education
It would appear from your resolutions
in the Farmers' Alliance that you arc
incapable of comprehending this dan
ger.
These resolutions strike me as a
most unnatural proceeding—on the
part of men who make a business of
complaining that legislation has done
nothing for them or their children.
It amazes me, that the white farming
class, who arc so dependent on such
appropriations for the white hoys and
girls of the State, should be led on by
certain politicians, to stab the dearest
hopes of their own children —and
through prejudice, to be influenced to
their own injury.
I hardly thought it necessary to tell
you that all money appropriated to
lommon schools, is divided pro rata
with the colored race, while the money
appropriated to tie: university and its
branches goes directly to white pupils
under the constitution of the .State.—
and the legislature is authorized to
apnly it in any county under the di
rection of the ^State’s system of univer
sity education. I also though! it un
necessary to tell you that the consti
tution of the .State positively forbids
the appropriation of a single dollar to
sectarian or denominational colleges,
hut such are the facts.
If I obey your instructions, the door
is forever closed to the white girls and
hoys ot Georgia, whose parents arc
unable to pay hoard and tuition, and
traveling expenses to denominational
colleges. I fondly ho|>cd to bring
higher education within their reach,
that they might have an equal ohancc
with the children of colored people,
who are coaxed to enter colleges
where everything is paid for by north
ern money.
You wdl please remember, gentle
men, that I am a farmer, as well ns
yourselves.
You will also remember that after
fofty years of intimate association with
you and' your fathers, that I would
advocate no measure that would op-
>rcss the farmers of Bartow county,
jeeause I share alike your burdens
and prosperity.
Thcro have been a great many po-
one class against every other—the
poor against the rich, the ignorant
against the educated, farmers against
merchants, against railroads, against
lawyers, against town physicians,
against everything that has lifted our
country to glory and power, and
which 1ms made it a refuge for liberty
loving people from all hynls—and the
only land on God’s earth in which the
poor man has a living chance, or his
children a hope for the future.'
In conclusion, gentlemen, let me
•assure you I will never obey inslruc
tions, the eflect of which will be to
engulf the farming class of Georgia in
illiteracy, ignorance and poverty. ' I
am very respectfully,
AVm. II. Fki.ton.
The great danger to the Alliance,
ns Dr. Felton so graphically portrays,
is being made the tool of designing
politicians. If the order will adhere
to its tenets, not allow themselves to
he used by the politicians, then suc
cess will, in the end, crown their ef
forts and organization; hut, on the
other hand, if they do fall into the
traps set for them by politicians, the
usefulness of the order is at an end.
And this view is hold by the ablest,
clearest hendod alliance men in the
State.
Sunday School Convention
jThe convention of the third district
of the Gcoagia Sunday School As
sociation, convened at Boston, Ga., in
the Methodist church, at H p. in.
Tuesday night, August loth, Uev. .1.
B. Forster, District Superintendent,
in the chair. After the usual intro
ductory exercises, Mr. Forster stated
the object of the meeting, and intro
duced Kcv. Jas. M. ltushin, who, in a
few well timed remarks, extended a
hearty welcome to the delegates. Tho
response to this address of welcome
was made by Bov. Geo. G. X. Mnc-
Donoll, of Thomaiville, Ga. .
Mr. B. B. Iteppard, late president
of the State Sunday School Associa
tion, was then introduced, and lie
made some brief remarks touching the
importance of the occasion.
After the appointment of commit
tees, the meeting adjourned to 11:30
the next day.
WEDNESDAY, 11:30 A. M.
Tho convention met at the appoint
ed time, and was opened with religious
exercises, conducted by Bov. AV. (’.
Jones.
Mr. Pruett was appointed secretary,
in the absence of Mr. Jas. F. Evans,
District secretary.
The names of delegates were then
enrolled, and it was found that j fifty-
one Sunday schools were represented
in tlie convention.
Reports of Sunday school work
from the different counties composing
the district, were then called for, and
made by representatives from those
counties, at the request of Rev. Mr.
MucDonell^thc only delegate from
tho Thomasville schools.) Rev. Mr.
Forster reported on the Sunday school
work in Thomas county, in which he
slated that there were at least fifty
white Sunday schools organized in the
county.
Mr. Rcppard delivered a very earn
est and interesting address on county
organization, and the Sunday school
work of the State Association.
In the absence of Rev. AV. J. Wil
liams, pastor of the Baptist church of
Thomasville, I’rof, Charles Cox, of
the Southern Female College, of La-
Grange, Ga., delivered a very instruc
tive address on “The Bible—our text
book. Ilow to teach it.”
At the afternoon session Rev. E. II.
Bryan, of Colquitt, read a report on
temperance as connected with Sunday
school work, and Rev. Geo. G. N.
MncDonell read a report on the ob
servance of'the Sabbath.
The committee on constitution and
officers, reported through Col. I. A.
Bush, chairman, a constitution which
was adopted, and the following offi
cers were elected:
President—-Rev. J. B. Forster.
Vice Presidents—C. P. Hanscll, of
Thomas county; A. L. Townsend, of
Decatur; James AVilson, of Mitchell
county; C. C. Bush, of Miller county;
M. 11. McCollum, of Colquitt county.
Secretary—1>. L. Switzer, of Thom
as county.
Treasurer—J. E. Dickinson, of
Decatur county.
Chorister — C. II. Williams, of
Thomas county.
TJic executive committee of .one
from each county, was appointed. At
4 p. m. there was a mass meeting of
the children of the town, which was
addressed by Mr. Dimmock, of north
Georgia, Air. Freeman, of the Way
cross Headlight, and Mr. R. B. Rcp
pard.
Their addresses were very interest
ing, and much culhusiasm aroused.
Many of the stores were closed and
the citizens generally attended this
meeting.
At the night meeting Mr. Dimmock
gave an interesting account of his re
cent trip to the international .Sunday
cliool convention at Condon and some
statements of its proceedings. The
exercises were closed with a brief
address by Prof. Cox, on "the higher
education of women. ’
Pic convention was a decided suc
cess. The.spirit of Christian harmony
and brotherly love pervaded all the
meetings, and the Sunday school cause
in this section will no doubt be bene-
fitted by it.
The citizens of Boston entertained
the convention with their accustomed
generous hospitality, and evinced
much interest in its proceedings. The
next meeting will be held at Green
•Shade camp ground, by the invitation
of Mr. Geo. A. Wight, the time to be
fixed by the executive committee, and
after consultation with Major Wight.
AN INTERESTING LETTER.
Tobacco Culture—Gadsden County, Fla.
—A Paying Business.
Eds. Times-Enteri’risk : Agreeable
to your request, and it) fulfillment of a
promise on my part, I will endeavor to
give you some idea of this (Gadsden)
county, and of the great tobacco indus
try. To one coming from the undulat
ing pine forests of south Georgia, this
part of the land of flowers seems
almost like a revelation.
Leaving the S., F. & W. Railway at
Faccville, and traveling southward, lor
five or six miles, one secs scarcely
anything of note, except the immense
forests ot pines, and the low, level
lands, covered with wiregrass and with
but sparsely settled districts. This un
inviting scope ofcountryis the extreme
southern portion ot Decatur county,
and reaches a few miles below the
state line. Journeying southward, one
will soon notice a decided change in
the general appearance of the forests.
Instead of the. tall, stately pines, are
to be seen the oak, hickory, dogwood,
and other growths, with the pines fast
becoming fewer and smaller, as you
advance southward. There is also a
rapid change in the topography of the
country. From the low, sandy lands
of the pine forests, it seems wc arc
slowly going up to a beautiful high
level, and a fcw miles farther on wc
soon sec still more rapid changes on
all sides. From this stretch of beau
tiful, level plane, the country changes
quickly to lofty hills and picturesque
valleys, with the magnificent hickories,
magnolias, beech and other evergreen
growths on all sides. Soon we see
beautiful farms, comic.table homes,
orchards and rich farming lands. From
now until wc reach Quincy we fcastour
eyes upon the grand and magnificent
scenery that can be seen in almost
cver^direction.
Passing along over these high hills,
through the cool, shady valleys,watered
by the inviting springs that break out
at the foot of some steep bill, wc look
ahead and see a stately mansion on
the top of a lofty elevation, and we are
told that Quincy is in sight, though
we arc yet two miles from the town.
On wc go, down lone slopes, and up
steep hills, across a beautiful creek,
and up one more steep hill, and " we
arc in Quincy. The" natural beauty ol
the place at once attracts the eye of
the stranger. Nature seems to have
been lavish with her gifts in and around
Quincy. In addition to the magnifi
cent scenery, here is rich soil, pure
cool water in great abundance, healthy
and charming climate, and a soil that
produces corn, cotton, tobacco, sugar
cane, and all the smaller crops to per
fection, and, in my opinion, one ol.the
J>cst fruit countries I have any knowl
edge of. It seems to be the home of
the fig, pear, peach and pecan. The
largest and sweetest pecans I ever ate
grew right here in town, while hickory
nuts can he gathered by the bushel in
the country. The natives and old
settlers claim there is not another such
a county in the state of Florida, and
after having lived here, and can judge
lor myself, I am inclined to think they
arc right. This highly favored county
lies between the Chattahoochee river
on the west and Ochlockoncc on the
cast.
The soil between these two rivers,
while rich, and adapted to the culture
.of the finest grade of smoking tobacco
.(cigars), has no limestone in it.
I.eon county has limestone in her soil,
consequently tobacco grown in I.eon,
just across the river from this county,
docs not sell for near as much money
as the Gadsden county tobacco docs.
So it is with Jackson county, across
the Chattahoochee river. Wherever
thcro is lime in the soil, it does not pay
to plant the weed, as it injures the
smoking qualities, and it will not make
good cigars. From the best informa
tion I can get, twenty miles square in
this county would take in very near all
of the best tobacco lands in the coun
ty. So you see that i) does not take
a prophet to foresee that the day is
not far off when these lands will bring
fancy prices.
In my next I will try and give your
readers an idea of the extent to which
tobacco is being planted and cultivat
ed in this county, also the mode ol
raising, handling, curing, &c. I am
firmly Jot the opinion that tobacco
culture would not pay the farmers of
Thomas and Brooks counties, but in
tliis opinion I may be mistaken. I
hope I am, as tobacco, when properly
grown and cured upon the right kind
of soil, is one of the best money crops
I know of—$ioo and $150 per acre
being made when planted on good
land and properly worked and cured.
And then it is a crop that the longer a
farmer holds it the more valuable it
becomes. Tobacco three years old
will bring a much better price than a
crop just gathered.
J. AV. J.
Quincy, Fla., Aug. 14, 1889.
PRICES!
—AT—
LEVY’S
Our Mr. Levy is now
in New York making
Fall purchases, and
lie lias sent' us Avord
to KNOCK DOWN
PRICES on all sum
mer goods, and make
room for our immense
Fall aiul Winter stock
that is coming. So,
from now on, all
and Snmmer
at old
“Knocked Down
Prices.”
Remnant table full
of choice bargains
every week.
Spring
goods go
Lovys
Dry Ms How
Mitchell House Corner.
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