The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-09
Cotton Factories at the South.

IL Is but very recently tnat Inc attentlon OF tne
Southern people has been directed from the ex-
elusive cultivation of their great staple, towards
the manufacture of il for their own domestic
use. Having however conceived the idea, and
practically tested its feasibility they have EN-
baried in this new branch of industry with char
acteristic ardor and energy, and Cotton Factories
are now springing up throughout the Southern
and Western country with almost magical ra-
pility. Rs @sata atUa, ..,. q.s;.... 3D..
You can scarcely open Southern paper now,
that does not contain a reference to the success
full results of some established enterprise of this
kind-or chronicle the incipient steps towards
the establishment of some new one. After having
so long slumbered over the greatest facilities
and inducements that could invite to such en-
terprses, the Southern people, stimulated sud-
denly by the unprecedented success of some
bolder pioneers, have been fully awakened to
these resources, and the danger now is that they
may push their new notions too far. Through
outthe whole tier of Southern and Southwestern
States, the busy water-wheel and ceaseless spin
uoW DTeth buc SltilSc Vi many
on the banks of shitherto the haunts of the
hunter and his game-and the water power so
long rejected, is made tributary to human indust-
nv. Many of these Factories have failed to be
profitable, in consequence of inudicious man
ngemcnt and want of proper knowledge of the
business. But we know of no instance where
such result was attained, except from the causes
above specified; and are cognizant ofmany where
the profits are very large and rapidly increasing
Already does the supply of domestics in some
sections more than equal the demand, and afford
y surplus for export; and the Northern Mills have
already been forced to recognize a more formi-
liable competitor even than the British, both in
the home and foreign markets In the produc-
tion of the finer fabrics too, the improvement has
been wonderfully rapid-and prizes have been
awarded by Northern Institutes to samples from
Southern Mills, successfully competing with the
most celebrated Northern ones.
How far this competition will be carried, and
V hat the issue will be, it is impossible at this
early period TO predict-but this much is positive
that new and potent element of industrial and
social progress has been introduced at the South:
and that even should it be pushed no further
her citizens hereafter will not be dependent either
on Northern or on foreign looms for their Cotton
Goods but can always supply their wants in this
respect under any emergency that may possibly
mise.
There is also another feature which commcnds
this matter especially to the attention and coun-
tenance of Southern statesmen-it has been as
certained by repeated and successful export
ments, that slave labor is admirably fitted for
factories, and each Days experience confirms this
fact more strongly.
We have witnessed personally the working of
This experiment, and can, therefore, speak advl'
sedly upon it. For all the subordinate positions
in n mill, but three faculties are put in requisi
ton patience, attention, and manual dexterity-
al three of which with proper supervisory the
negro is found to possess in an eminent degree
We know of one remarkable instance which
would seem conclusive on this point. 1t was
that of Northern superintendent from Lowell
who took charge of a Southern mill, where an
equal number of whites and blacks were en-
ployed, on the express condition that at the end
of six months he should be allowed to substitute
white operatives in place of the black ones. AT
the expiration of the specified time he (most I'M
expectedly to his employers) reversed the condi.
tion and declared his decided preference for tbs
substitution of blacks, in the places of the
whites-stating that they We're more manages
bic, and at the same time better operatives.
His request was complied with, and the goods
which that mill has manufactured, with that Ia
Dor, have been equal to anyin the United States
1t was, (when we last heard of it, still doing a
rood business and the black operatives were still
working it.
To show the spirit that prevails in the South
west on this sub ject, we append an editorial from
the New Orleans Bulletin, which puts the matter
in nut shell
THE True Policy OF THE SouTH.-lt is prob
lem that no one can solve, why the cotton produc
ing States of the Union should send the staple TO
Europe, to be manufactured into goods to be
brought back again, when we have all the facili-
Ties, and appliances, TO manufacture equally
ports Of raw cottons into England, in ls49, and
Of the exports Of cotton goods during the same
year, furnish facts worthy Of consideration.
Ii appears that the import Of raw cotton into
Great Britain, in the year l849, is officially re-
turned as 6,745,259 cwt. AT liz pounds per cwt.
the quantity was 745, AGO. Os pounds. Dividing
the whole amount manufactured into forty-fve
arts, and twenty-five exported to foreign
countries and 90 are consumed on the British
Islands The annual consumption Of cotton
goods, especially in England and the United
States increases with remarkable rapidity. The
former exported last year l,335 ,644, ISL yards
of cotton cloth, and 149 500, 1876 lbs. Of cot
ton yarn. Estimating the pound sterling at
SIS, and the value of the cotton fabrics ex-
ported was Sl34, 453,9 $40. To this sum We must
add four-ffths as much more TO get the value Of
goods consumed at home. From these data IT will
he seen that goods made in lS49 were worth S242,
l7,l46 The London Quarterly Reriew, which
furnishes this statement, says that 1'the most re
rnarkable feature in the history Of our eXpor
trade is, that the increase of quantity Of goods
exported is prodigiousy greater than the increase
of the money value of our exports. :"
Upon this state Of things, which, in a few
years will be looked to as most strange and un