The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-10-23
Cotton Spinning.

Inc condition OF the cotton manufactures
i'll this country aud in Europe is the subject
OF earnest discussion on both sides of the
Atlantic. England, France and the New
England States of tile American Union are
alike discussing the best means OF prevent
ing loss of their trade, and of securing
themselves against disastrous competition.
In England, an enormous monied capital,
backed by the whole power of the govern
ment, is ready to be used in recovering the
old markets orr in forming new ones And not
day too soon! The continent of Europe
Is far less dependent than formerly OH the
cotton goods of Manchester, and the Ameri-
can demand, in consequence OF the increase
in domestic manufactures, is steadily de-
creasing. Commercial treaties do not stop
the gap. Take the treaty with France as
al example, which treaty, while 1t secured
the English q: market for their coal, ami
hilated their silk manufactures What is
now proposed is nothing less than the re-
moval Of the entire cotton manufacture TO
India; to establish the factories there, and.
by the aid OF low prices, for labor as well as
the raw material, to undersell both Euro,
pean and American manufacturers
In France, n similar scheme is under con-
sideration. There the proposition is to trans
fer the cotton factories from the northern de-
partments to the southern portion OF the EN-
pirc During the last six months the Austrian
port of Trieste has imported from Bombay
twice as many bales MS France received.
This gave rise to the suggestion to move the
factories nearer to the supply of raw mate
rial and nearer to the seaboard. In both
instances the principle is the same-to bring
the cotton mill closer to the cotton port and
cotton field.
A similar idea is beginning to attract ut
tention in mechanical New England. The
obvious truth that cotton can be procured
and manufactured at lower price in the
South, where il is produced, than in the
Northern factories, to which it is conyeyed
at great expense, is opening the eyes of the
spinners. This has taken firm hold of
the Southern mind, and New England must
either move its mills down South as Eng
land proposes to move the mills of Lancas-
ter to India, or must submit to he driven
out OF the iiarket by the produce of the
Southern factories. Nearly one hundred
million dollars is invested in cotton manu-
facturlng establishments in the New Eng
land and Central States This is the extent
OF the interest which is felt in the manufactu-
ring progress OF the South
Notwithstanding the failure of Senator
Sprasue to lead the revolution in cotton
spinning, of which lie spoke 80 glibly, there
is still prospect that Northern capital and
Northern machinery will gradually find their
way to the South. 1t can, moreover be
shewn, we think, that the English splnners
can use their surplus machinery here more
protitably than i'll distant Hindostan. Upon
the same continent they would find the raw
material, the means ofmanufacturng, and
sufficient markell market more hard to be
satisfied as the broad pluins of the West are
made rich by the labors of the immigrant
and the passage Of the locomotive.
The South, in truth, holds the balance of
power. 1t has not been found practicable
% replace the American staple, though sacks
u English gold have been scattered broad
cast among the cotton planters of India.
old King Cotton holds his own, and both
and New England are forced to
acknowledge his sway. In the meanwhile
'ur people have an excellent opportunity of
making themselves rich and independent
Money is flowing steadily into the cotton
states The surplus capital is already large
t cannot be invested in negroes aud of
and there is more than enough: Where.
hcn can it be applied to more advantage
han i'll the manufacture of cotton? In no
'ase has well-managed cotton mill been
Improbable, and we can lay our finger upon
dozen which are earning large dividends.
me Southern mill can make money when il
ellis yarns at the price which they cost to
in New England. The risk il
mall and the gain is great; not only in hard
money, but in the, opening Of new channels
i industry, in giving enlarged opportunities
Il employment to the@peop,c, and in keen.
ng III the country the money which now
lips into the pocket of the Nortllerrer and
oreigner. -
The he, subject is well worthy OF practical at .t
sntion, and we hope that our people NOT
linking too long, will lie convinced of the
'isdom OF beginning at once the grent work
making South Carolina ON important!
manufacturing State. - FrI