W.W. Andrews Talks About Farming and Politics, 1935

“A Fireside Chat” with G.M. Mann, General Manager of Carolina Co-operator, as published  June, 1935

This month Mr. Mann is visiting the home of W.W. Andrews near Goldsboro in Wayne County. Mr. Andrews represented his county in the State Legislature in 1929 and again during this past session, and from the 1935 Legislative manual we glean the following information: Born in Wayne County, October 14, 1886. Attended rural schools and Guilford College. Farmer. Member Democratic Executive Committee. Methodist and member of the Board of Stewards since 1930 and chairman of this group in 1934. Member Belfast School Board for 15 years and chairman for past five years. Member of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Cotton Growers Co-operative Association.

The Writer: It would not do for me to live here, Mr. Andrews, as crazy as I am about trains—why with the track this near to me I would just be looking at trains all day long.

Mr. Andrews: You’re wrong—you’d soon tire of them and you wouldn’t even see them when they passed.

The Writer: You certainly have one thing around your home that every farmer should have—a grape arbor.

Mr. Andrews: I expect a lot more farms will have them now after what the 1935 General Assembly did.

The Writer: That’s mighty fine looking tobacco land over there.

Mr. Andrews: Yes, Mr. Mann, we do very well with tobacco and we have in times past done very well with cotton.

The Writer: I just don’t see how you have been able to keep your farming operations going as you have with the many things you have done on the outside, as shown in the little booklet entitled “Who’s Who In the Legislature.”

Mr. Andrews: Well, Mr. Mann, lots of this credit should go to my wife and 21-year-old son who assume the responsibility of running the farm when I’m away. There are three things I think every man ought to devote a little time to—and these are, first, the church in his community, next is the educational development of his community, and the next is the political side of his community and State. The trouble of the whole business is that too many of us stand off and say let the other fellow do it.

The Writer: You certainly have done your part, Mr. Andrews. Incidentally, I believe you were one of the first to get back of the cooperative movement.

Mr. Andrews: Yes, I believe in the cooperative movement. It is the only salvation of the farmer. Of course, all of us know that mistakes have been made, yet I am proud of what the Cotton Association has accomplished, and it is a living example of what can be accomplished in other things.

The Writer: I, too, have been interested in the co-operative movement ever since it started, and even before any cooperative was formed in this State, and what gives me encouragement is that men such as yourself are willing to throw their support behind it. Of course, the trouble is that enough influential men are not willing to assume the role of leadership.

Mr. Andrews, I believe you were a member of the agricultural committee and also honored with a most important chairmanship during the recent Legislature, and though I know it is hard on you, I am frank to say that I am glad that a man of your ability and sympathy was named chairman of the committee on State hospitals. If there is any class of people who need sympathy and tender consideration, it is those who have had the misfortune to be placed in these institutions.

Mr. Andrews: Well, Mr. Mann, it was a hard job and a task that I did not feel worthy of, but I did do my best to lighten the sufferings of those confined in our institutions, then I am glad that I had the opportunity of serving. I do wish, Mr. Mann, that more of our citizens would think not only during the Legislature but throughout the year about those less fortunate ones and would have constructive criticism to offer and especially let us know if they have any reason to believe those confined to the hospitals are not being treated as they should be.

It seems to me that we should be able to provide without any quibbling enough money to carry on the work of these institutions in an efficient way.

The Writer: Mr. Andrews, it has certainly been a joy to run out and talk with you, and I certainly hope that The One who does all things wisely will give you a bountiful harvest this season to repay you for the sacrifices you made to stay in the Legislature.

Mr. Andrews: Thank you, Mr. Mann. I am always glad to have you come by when you are in this second and if I can do anything to help you in the cooperative work, I want you to call on me.

If you don’t come before, be sure and come during the grape season—and bring Mrs. Mann with you.

The Writer: Thank you, Mr. Andrews—we will certainly try to do that. You know Mrs. Mann feels like Goldsboro is her home. She went to high school there—I won’t tell you how many years ago for she might beat me up!