The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-09-05
COLUMBIA.
Wednesday Morning, Sept. S, 1885,
The Great Want Of the South. :

Wednesday Morning, Sept. S, 1886.
The Great Want Of the south.
AS we have said on several ocea-
sions, the great want Of the South at
this time is an extensive system OF
manufacturing; and in this depart
ment Of industry, our staple-cotton
takes the first place. 1t does SO IN
Old and New England for thesreason
that its manufacture is profitable,
arising from the fac. that the pro-
ducts Of the spindleand the loom are
universally used by consumers.
In calling attention to this subject,
we will cite the largest cotton manu-
factu ing town in America-Lowell.
In tho factories in that place, the ag
gregate capital invested is stated at
$13, 100000 The amount Of cotton
consumed is 100, 1000 bales; the num-
Der OF yards, exclusive of yarns, is,
something over 100, ,00O, 600, and the
number. of operatives is 10000
mostly women and girls. It is esti-
mated that it would require at least
35, $50 field laborers to raise this cot
ton, and yet it is converted into
yarns and cloths by 1900 operatives.
The process of manufacturing cotton
about doubles its value, and the ave-
rage dividends declared by the Lowell
mills is 33 per cent. 1t ought to be
recollected in this calculation, that
these New England manufacturers
have to pay freights, commissions,
and other charges, before they can lay
cotton down at their mill doors; there
lore, considering these charges, the
Southern manufacturer, it might be
very reasonably estimated, could
make a nett profit of 30 per cent.
Our neighboring State of Georgia
has taken the lead in engaging in this
department.. Her journals are con-
stantly informing us of the establish
ment of new manufactures, and large
subscriptions to the capital stock of
the new companies. This subject is
also attracting attention in Alabama.
Governor Parsons has addressed an
interesting letter in relation to the
matter to the directors of the Alaba-
ma and Georgia manufacturing COM
panies, and the people of the whole
South will find it to their interest to
embark in the business.
The National jnteUigencer, in notic-
ing Gov. Parsons letter, very truly
says that in this respect new era
has opened for the Southern States,
md the sooner the people accommo-
date themselves to it, the better for
them and the whole country. This
is the truth; and all additional incen-
tive to.the Southern people to engage
in tho manufacture of cotton is the
last unjust tax of three cents pound
on cotton exported.
In addition to the reasons already
urged, the quest on of labor adds an
other, very cogent, and which neces-
states change in the industrial pur-
suits of our people. The old system
of extensive planting passed away
with that which enabled planters to
raise their own laLorers on the plan
tation, and by their natural increase
and pecuniary value, enabled him to
add acre to acre, and field to field,
and inducing him to half cultivate the
old plantation, or abandon it entirely
to seek new and rich lands. Cotton
was specie, and the whole energies of
Southern planters were concentrated
and devoted to raise every pound pos
sible, to the neglect of stock-raising,
or even the production of the neces-
sary amount Of provisions. Thus,
while the New Englander, in every
department Of manufactures-from
that If q fine carriage to broom
recei ed large portion of the profits
of co ton-raising, the North west sup
piled what the planters themselves
MIGHT have vaisa5 viz. horcoc ,,o1,Joe