Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-02-23
THE EVENING NEWS.
Cotton Spectators

A forcible writer in the Daily Ne,cs thus
thus pitches into large class Of individuals
now doing service at the South:
"The greatest obstacle to the success Of
our arms at the South is the presence Of a
class of cormorants known as "cotton specu-
lators." There are many honest, loyal, big
hearted men in the cotton trade; but such
are exceptions. The majority are sharpers,
whose loyalty ID more than questionable, nm
serupulus as to the means employed to effect
their object, overbearing and insulting to the
common soldier, but obsequiously fawning
round officers, and pandering TO their inclina-
tions and vices. In most districts these spec
ulators have formed a combination, and by
that means control the market, getting the
cotton at their own figures.
"There is good reason for disloyal men to
engage in this business-many Of them have
been in the rebel service-this fact secures
them from guerrillas, and as an offset do not
hesitate to convey every information concern
ing the affairs Of our armies, and BY talking
treason obtain the confidence Of the rebels,
thua enabling them to make purchases where
others would utterly fail. They penetrate
our lines, and it is in a degree through their
agency that the rebellion has been able to
maintain itself thus far. For mouths after
the issue Of legal tender notes they paid gold
for their purchases, and It required the most
stringent orders to compel them to use United
States currency in their transactions, They
are in league with traders and suffers, espe-
cially those remaining at small posts after the
advance of regiments; these traders are the
most unconscionable extortionists-having
exclusive permits, they hold their goods at
fabulous prices, and the farmer who has q
pound Of cotton to sell must not expect TO
obtain half its value. Many Of the guerrilla
outraees were caused by spectators, who in
violation of their permits, bought cotton Of
open rebels, requiring them 70 deliver 1t at
certain points--the cotton once in the posses-
sion of the buyer, he would inform them that
it was liable TO confscation, and they must
take the buyers price for It; Of course, the
rebels would seek revenge upon any Of the
class who has thus cheated them, and this led
to the indiscriminate firing upon boats. =.
s"The whole system Of trade with the South
is defective, and needs rernodeling. The au-
thorities use too little discrimination in grant
ing permits, and, as it now is, an unworthy,
dishonest class, almost without exception,
have obtained permits The history Of our
country presents no parallel for frauds prac-
tised both on the people and the Government,
through the instrumentality OF the present
system, and these frauds are countenanced,
ii not participated in, by men in high places.
We call the attention Of the Treasury De-
partment to this fact. 1t is becoming the in:
strument Of oppression TO the people, and
the means Of enriching the greatest scoun-
drels who disgrace the country. The cotton
trade ought 10 be interdicted TO individuals,
or thrown omen to the whole community.
Let Government only become purchaser, al
fixed prices, direct from the producer. This
would stop all Illicit trade, and give general
satisfaction. The evils complained Of are
becoming greater every day; the incentive TO
dishonesty and favoritism is too strong foI
many Government officers to overcome, and
it will be but right to remove the temptation
from their path" --r- g.. .'f-.ro, ~.