Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1849-12-22

auency, as well as the extent OtthOse violent hue-
luations in prices, which, though TO some extent
unavoidable, from the yicissitudes of the season,
&C., are often greatly aggravated BY the iniudi.
cious interference OF i'll informed Governments.
The effect produced by the sudden interference
OF Rew and inexperienced capitalists, eager only
TO grasp at sudden increase oil wealth, bat ig,
norant of some of the circumstances bearing on
the question of prices, though the result Of diff
iercnt cause, and calculated to work its own cure,
is, for The time il operates, as baneiul as egsla-
| tive medding.
The error generally made by persons imper-
fectly informed on the subject and by their inter-
es,sd advisers, is, in considering the consumption
of cotton too much it a fired quantity. They know
that it is the interest Of mill owner 10 continue
10 work his machinery not merely without profit,
but even at such loss as does not exceed that
which he would incur though his works were
idle, from loss Of interest on capital, insurance, 10.
cal and national taxes, expense OF keeping his
machinery in order, &C.; and therefore they cal.
culate that the ordinary consumption of cotton
will 90 on, Notwithstanding considerable rise
in prices, provided the margin is not oserstepped
when the necessity' Of stopping the machinery
becomes indubitabe.
II is quite mistake, however, TO suppose that
at all times when cotton mill is at work, it must
necessarily be consuming the same quantity OF
the raw material 1t is true that when a mill is
erected and filled with machinery, there is not
only particular description of yarn, bu; par.
ticuar size or range Of Sizes which it is intended
to produce, and for which it is, therefore, best a.
dapted. According to the description and size
OF yarn to be made will depend the quantity
OF cotton capable OF being used. For example
and not to take very extreme case, mill adap.
ted to spin coarse Nos of water twist, viii man,
utacture quantity OF cotton equal to eight or ten
mills OF the same extent arranged for spinning
No. 60 mule warps. When we hear, therefore
Of certain mills being stopped or put on shor
time in consequence Of the advanced price Of the
raw material, II is necessary 10 know the descrip
ton Of yarn spun by them to be able to Judge &C
curately otthe effect TO be produced on the guam
ty of cotton consuming.
But while there is particular range of num-
bers, for which each mill is best suited is Meth
er impossible nor very nconvenent to vary THU
range to moderate extent, according TO the de
mand and other circumstances, as well as to the
state ofthe cotton market. Such changes involve
neither outlay nor loss of time, and are resortet
to. in individual cases. every day to meet yer,
triaing alterations in the style Of goods wanted
And TO show the important bearing of such chan
ges on the consumption OF the raw material, il il
only necessary TO state that, supposing the ave
rage number yarn spun in this country 10 BIZ
raised only from No. 80 to No. 40, the quantity
OF cotton consumed il year would be diminish
ed not less than quarter ola million OF bales
and yet neither time of working nor The numbe
Of persons employed be at all reduced.
1t is in this manner, indeed, that rapid change
in the quantity Of cotton consumed are general
produced, rather than by a sudden ncrcas
. in the number Of mills, or from improve
ments in machinery, TO which causes the yaria
tons in consumption are frequently ascribet
though it must be obvious that they must operat
' slowly and gradually
In coarse yarns two,thrds of the price arise
from the cost OF the raw material, and that propo
ton constantly diminishes as you ascend to fine
numbers. When cotton is cheap, therefore, tn
h cost OF heavy goods, which are made from coars
9 yarn, is diminished in much greater ratio tia
the lighter description made from finer yarns; til
e demand will always increase with diminishe
cost; these heavy goods, SO long as the raw ms
ierial remains cheap, will relatively be the mos
profitable.
On the other hand, when cotton Is dear, h
% cost of such heavy goods is increased in grea
, Ter ratio than others; but the extended consumI
ton having been the result Of low prices, ca
r only be maintained by the same means. I'll
9. manufacture becomes Improbable, part of Ii
oil machinery is directed to somewhat finer rang
e ofspinning; another part is put on reduced tim
le and, perhaps, portion stopped altogether, Ii
IN either the diminution OF production creates sur
u a scarcity Of the manufactured article as leads
Is higher prices, or reduction in the price of Il
liz raw material again assimilates the cost to Il
selling price Of such goods. The present aspe
IN Of things in the cotton manufacturing strcts .
ye fords striking illustration OF The working OF tt
oil natural process, and is calculated to open d
IN eyes Of those who are apt in Judging of Il
n. probable prices Of the raw material to co
er fine their attention TO the prospects Of suppl
no And the inference to be drawn, from the CO
L. sideration Of this reciprocal action OF prices up
he consumption, is not limited to the check viii
of it imposes ON an undue rise in the price ofhe "a
n material, it ought, also, to impart confidence
N. the grower, that he need fear no excessive
or probation from abundant crop. since very slg
in decline in the average value is certain to sti
i'd uate greatly increased consumption.
\. Liverpool Chronicle.
Of :
EXPERIENCE IN THE GOLD REGIoN.-T
!. New York Journal Of Commerce, Of Wednesd
4 gives the following instructive report: