The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-15

The following article from the Louisville Journal
will lead to very interesting reflections in the minds
of the thoughtful:
The PRoGREss OF THE CoTToN MANuFAcruRE
SOUTH AND w EsT.--It is now bur few years since
public attention called to the vast natural adj
vantages at various points in the valley of the Mis-
sissipp for the manufacture OF the great staple Of
that valley. The essays and discussions on the
subject that have appeared in this and other jour
mails have satisfied every reading and thinking man
in the country that the chief seats of cotton manu-
facture are to be and near the cotton and coal
fields. Already indications of the results
of these opinions in the condition of Eastern mills
In few years more, English capitalists and ope-
ratives Will have ascertained superior advanta
ges, and the mills of Glasgow and Manchester will
be gradually closed preparatory TO a removal OF
| money, men, and machinery to points within our
limits, where more be effected by the force Of
each.
We ask the attentive consideration Of the reader
to the following extract from able editorial in
| the last Dry Goods Reporter:
At the present moment, among the producers Of
cloth IN those sectlons-nameiy the Northern and
Middle States-which have hitherto been regarded
as the chief seats of manufacturing industry, there
appears to be, and doubtless is, something less Of
that prosperity which, upon average, throughout
the whole country Is nusually marked. The value
of materials has risen dsproportionatey to the
price Of fabrics and, although the demand for the
latter ID good, the supply Is more than equal to it..
That Is TO say, notwithstanding the raw material is
very high and manufacturers complain Of made
quate prices, they nevertheless buy and work up a
! larger quantity Of raw material than Before,
| in the face OF enhanced imporatons of rival pro-
| auctions. This is anomaly which puzzles many
but If we reflect upon the causes which in ope-
ration TO stimulate competition, arrive al some
| thing like "a solution
We may reflect that political causes in Europe
| have operated To keep goods cheap in Lancashire,
and, by SO doing, 2 promote large exports to this
! side OF the AtlantN at moment when three in
centives to manufacturing rivalry have acted upon
| the South and West. These are, first, abundance
of capital; second, the influence OF the improve
ments i'll steam power and machinery emancipat-
ing factory labor from water power localities and
| lastly, political motives.
The South has abundance of capital evinced in
the fact that the crop thus far delivered say 900,
900 bales, has realized lOi 900 0O0 against $780,
100000 for 2620, 900 bales last year; that 10 say
a quantity diminished by one fourth lessening 10
the same extent the expenses of freight, packing,
weighing, &c, while rates OF exchange are high,
drawn against hi gh values, have enabled the south
az whole, probably TO realize $50 100000 more
money from this crop than from the last. With
these means, factories have multiplied that not
short of 10000 spndles in operation in the
cotton States, requiring loo, 900 bales of cotton per
annum and every mail brings adyiccs of some new
one going up. This rivalry affects the old estab-
ished factories the more that new factories all
armed with the newest improved machinery and
will produce at probably 20 per cent. better ad-
| vantage. The competition from this quarter is
| every way calculated TO diminish the old margin
/
| RIGS. Therefore, those old concerns which had
reached the minimum margin at which they could
work. must shut up shop and give place to more
competent operators.
The editor of that paper has been a merchant and
cotton manufacturer. There is no better authority
on this subject.
Mr. A. A. Alexander advises the South to let
manufactures alone, and because il has not capital
Here we see an excess of 3 3O,OOO,00O the pro-
duct OF the cotton crop of so that of '4S-9.
This thirty millions of dollars would put up at home
and equip enough mills to change from five TO six
hundred thousand bales Of cotton into coarse cotton
| cloth. Most of the money would be spent at home
Tor labor and materials, and would constantly be
| reproducing cotton mills The South can spare
this thirty mions of dollars every yesr, and in
stead of feeling loss and deficiency of capital,
would feel the stimulating influences Of productive,
home employed capital In ten years, the savings
in carrying cotton, and cotton CLOTH and food for
the cotton cloth makers in unnatural directions
about the world would build and equip cotton mile
enough TO consume our entire crop, aud we should
then have monopoly Of cotton cloth as well as Of
raw cotton.
| The people Of the South would then be busy
at home instead Of running of TO California. The
stream of Pactolus would then run by their very
doors, and they would find ts golden sands richer
than those under the Sacramento.
! The reaocr will not fail TO note what is stated in
the extract quoted above about the greater ccicn-
| cy ola new cotton machinery. Twenty per cent.
advantage is enormous
! The eastern mills have now the advantage Of our
own only in system. This and shall soon
obtain, and then we shall hear no home croakings
and sneers about the proftableness or advantages
| Of home cotton mills.