The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-04-29


Cost Of Southern yarns, as heretofore, 2 y
-, saoHn... " =: -. .s..-. ..':.e '. .29
fieisus anu insurance. .i..s..rs.s- LOO
Cost of Southern yarns delivered In
Englanu.. ..................t... .. 30. so
Difference in favor of Southern yarns Ats
But no estimate is made of the brokerage,
&c., in Liverpool, or Of the freights and
charges on the cotton from Liverpool to
Manchester. Southern yarns could be
shipped to the continent of Europe at
about the same rates rs to Liverpool, while
English yarns would have to pay freight
from Manchester to the continent. These
additional charges on the cost of English
yarns being considered, L think it would be
quite fair to infer from the foregoing that
we could send our yarns to Europe and,
selling them al The cost Of producing English
yarns, derive a net profit of ut least five
cents per pound.
In support of the figures have given and
the conclusions 1 have drawn from them, /
mention the fact that ut no time within the
last three years would we have been uuoble
to command from our Northern commission
houses (had wo chosen to ask for them) ad-
vances beyond the total cost Of our yarns
Can any Northern or English manufacture
say this
Estimating the average crop of cotton at
100000 bales. Of 45O pounds each, and
the price here at 25 cents, and we have as
the amonnt received by the South, 1925,
O0O,O 600. Manufacture this cotton into
yarns, and sell at cost of Northern or Eng
llsh production, and we have, after deduct
ing all foreign charges, (net price per pound
34c.,) $4,000, 900; and for waste, which
would be worth for paper stock, if manufac-
ot 1,n l,,l,
0O0-$3t5. 900, 900; showing gain to the
South OF S12O, OO0, 900; and if we estimate
for receipt of say Be- per pound and cost
OF foreign manufacture land our experience
would more than Justify it,) We have Il
further gain Of $50, 900. 900 In all, $780,
100000.
The average production of yarns last year
throughout the United States was per
spindle, g. II pounds; the average number
of yarn manufactured, 27,31S the total
number of spindles was about 6, ,04S, 249; of
these the Northern States had 5,S4S, 477;
and tho Southern States only l99,772 The
average number Of yarn manufactured at
the North was 271a; production per spindle.
191i. .ihe average number of yarn manu-
iactured at the South was 1875; production
per spindle, 14O.37.
These figures arc based upon the reports
made to the National Association of Cotton
Manufacturers and Planters. 1t is probable
that many of the smaller mills in the South
were not reported. My calculation is based
upon an average production per spindle
(ring traveler) of 81 pounds, and average
number 20.
10 spin $500, 900 bales would require
II, 494, 253 spindles, Ii cap frames were
used, of course a less number of spindles
would be required. The calculation will
vary, according to the kind of spinning
done, and machines used. IL, 1,494, ,253 spin
dies would give employment to 249, ,95l
hands-principally females, from ten years
of age up, and small boys.
The average wages Of the operatives (big
and little) in our mill is S142. 50 each per
annum, which would give as the gross
amount paid for wages per annum, $780,
79S, ,9Ol. So And that, too, paid for labor
that would nearly all of it not only be other
wise unemployed in adding to the wealth of
the country, but be positive burthen upon
the country.
1t must not be supposed that. because
these figures show that it would require
about twice the number of spindles now
run in the North to spin up our entire cot
tai required would be double that invested
in cotton manufactures in the North, and
therefore to be beyond our reach; for but q
comparatively small amount of Northern
capital is invested in spinning. Tho most
OF it is in weaving, dyeing, printing. bleach
ing, &c. Spinning is comparatively simple,
and complications commence when weaving
begins.
1t must be evident to every business man,
that all our cotton must, sooner or later, be
manufactured here, at the place of its pro-
duction. If done now, by associations of
planters and other Southern people, addi-
tional wealth is secured to ourselves and to
our children; if deferred, Northern capital
and energy will inevitably occupy the field.
1t seems to me entirely practicable that
the planters Of cotton -grcw wing districts, all