The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-10


ests, and those of the manufacturer, are best
subserved by regular and reasonable prices.
The first thing TO be done by the convention,
should be the adoption of plan for ascertain
ing the extent of each years crop. This is es-
seatial to all judicious and efficient action.
propose to effect it by the agency of planters
associations, to be organized in every county in
the cotton States. BY districting the counties,
and distributing the labor among the members,
the crop Of each county can be ascertained by
the middle of January every year. The county
societies should immediately thereafter report
the amount Of the crop to committee, or some
officer, residing at the seat of the State govern
ment, who should report the aggregate crop OF
the State to central committee, to De appointed
by the Cotton Planters convention; upon which
central committee should also devolve the labor
of obtaining all attainabe information respect
ing the probable demand by manufacturers at
home and abroad-ihe supplies which may be
expected from other countries-and, generally,
all the information in its power, connected with
the production and consumption of cotton.
The information referred to, and the reports
from the State committees, may be in possession
of the central committee by the lst April in
planters advised what proportion Of their re-
tanned.
| But inasmuch as a considerable portion of
the crop is annually sold before the report Of
the central committee could be made, propose
an agreement among the planters, "not to sell
more than two-thirds of their respective crops
before receipt of said report, and not to sell
any for price less than agreed upon" And
4 further, "not to sell more of the reserved one
third, than shall be advised by the central com
mittee." For illustration ofmy meaning: Sup
posing the crop 100000 bales the sale of two
thirds would amount to 1900, OO0-Ieaving
100000 bales on hand. If advised that the
consumption of American cotton would be only
100000 bales, each planter should then sell
only four out of every nine bales, which had
been reserved, and retain the remaining FIVE
bales under his cotton shed, to await future de-
mand, or supply deficiencies in future crops.
Experience has shown that a crop of 2,700
600 bales, thrown upon the market, will reduce
the price Of cotton to about five cents; whereas,
crop of only 100000 bales will raise it to
thirteen cents, or more. These are extreme
prices the first not remuneratve to the planter,
the last tending too much to stimulate produc
ton elsewhere The interests of all parties,
producers, manufacturers and consumers, will
be best served by moderate and regular prices
say, about ten cents per pound. AT that
price, two-thirds of his crop will put more
money into the planters pocket than would the
whole crop sold at six cents.
| have said that the difficulty of obtaining
concert of action among the planters, so widely
separated from each other, is great but my
confidence in its practicability is based upon
their obvious interest, and their good common
sense. Although less expert at figures than the
! a,latnr H.. Al =
among them can see that ten bales of cotton,
sold at ten cents, will yield more mony than
fifteen bales, sold at six cents. And, aided
by past experience Of the evils resulting from
want Of organization, it demands no extraord-
nary faith in their good sense, to believe that
concert may be obtained
The only objection ever made TO this plan is,
that the planters will not act in good faith,
but will secretly sell more than their portion of
heir crops" Now, without claiming for cotton
! planters higher character for honor and nteg-
rlty, | may say that they possess as much Of
those qualities as any other class of our popu.
ation. And although some may, and will act
basely, the number will be small, and their un-
faithfulness will but little affect the result
may cay the same of another small class found
in every community-Soomons, in their own
conceit, who make 1t a point of honor never TO
think, or act like their neighbors; and who will,
perhaps, refuse to enter into the argument But
If the plan suggested be tried, breaches Of faith
will be fewer and fewer every year; and where
a sense Of honor will not restrain, fear of ex
posure and shame will. Without some general
concert Of action, no Plan can succeed and that
now proposed presents as few objections as
any other. II proposes no advance Of money
no risk Of loss-and no change in the pursuits
/ IF h. nla al "A % a Il
can do no harm. You have, in the preceding, my
plan for regulating the price Of cotton.
There Is another subject connected with the
cotton interest which ! have much at heart and
which, in the shape Of a resolution, submitted
to the convention. know not whether Il was
adopted, having left the meeting upon discovery
Of the determination Of the small number pres.
ent 10 force the question upon the adoption of
the substitute. My resolution recommended
the erection Of cotton manufactures in every
county in the cotton States These factories 10
commence with spinning, and afterwards con.
Meeting The business Of weaving into cloth.
Spinning requires little skill in the operatives;
sod yarns sell for double the price Of raw ma
terial. The facility Of obtaining yarn from
neighboring factories would enable our planters
10 clothe their families and servants better and
cheaper than now. There are, upon every plan.
taiion, servants who, at times, would be inefi.
cient in the field, while perfectly able 10 work
the loom. This, however, is the least Of the
benefits which would result from the system Of
manufacturing. Millions Of pounds Of cotton
yarn are annually exported from Great Britain
10 the continent Of Europe, and 10 other por.
tons Of the world and the business Of spin.
ming IL said 10 be more profitable than that Of
weaving. Our Southern factories would obtain
the raw material a, least twenty per cent cheap
er than those Of England and Southern yarn
and cloth would monopolize both the foreign
and the home market Let each county com.
mence with factory Of one thousand spindles
and Jet The planters agree 10 invest, annually,
ten per cent. Of their crops in the extension Of
such factories; add in few years they would
manufacture The whole crop Of the country, and
export il 10 the shape Of yarn and cloth. Such
course would double the value Of our exports.
and would add 10 the prosperity Of the country
more than the gold mines Of California, twice
/ Naf1 Ifa .N..f -.