Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-01-09
THE ADVERTISER.
Edgefield, s, C.,>Jan. g.. 1873.

THE ADVERTISER.
Edgefeld, s. C.,,Jan. 8, ls7s:si
To the Senators and, Representatives. Of
Edge6etd and Aiken. s.
Last week we; spoke incidentally of
Mr.. Bowley's bill before the Legislature
to exempt Manufacturing Establish
ments, in South Carolina, from taxation
for the next ten years. The Legislature
re assemblies to-day, Tuesday 7th, and
we now earnestly urge our immediate
Senator and Representatives. and those
of our sister County, Aiken, to uphold
this Bill strongly, and do all in their
power towards making it a law. And
for the information Of these Legislators
we would state one or two"important-
facts bearingon the question. The Gran
iteville Manufacturing Company have
nowson hand a surplus of Four or Five
Hundred Thousand Dollars (all made at
Graniteville) with which they design. or
wish, to build new Factory. They had
rather locate this Factory at Graniteville
than elsewhere. But Of course they will
go where Cotton Factories ore most en-
couraged And in Georgia not only are
such establishments exempted from tax
alton for ten years. but the city Of Au-
gusta, with eminent liberality and en-
terprise actually offers n premium "a.
per cent upon all money invested on
her Canal. Therefore, if Mr.. BowleY.'s
Bill should not become a Law, 1t is but
fair to suppose that the, new. establish
ment of the Graniteyille Company will
be located in Angus .. And if the Rep
resentatiyesof Edgefeld and Aiken leave
anything undone to secure so great a
Factory within their, own borders,i they
must certainly be considered hereafter
very feeble custodians ofthe welfare and
interests of their constituents. Ourpub.
lie men-and our merchants and capital
ists-must be more imbued with the
spirit Of the age, and must realize the
fact that manufactures are the lifo,and
soul of all inland towns. The changed
condition of the labor of the country
admonishes every thinking man that
there must be corresponding change.in
the application Of the industry of the
country. ~ =
But let us take broader view of this
important matter of encouraging manu-
factories. The South to lie Independent
and prosperous, must give employment
to the immense amount Of surplus labor
she has on her hands; and this, cannot
be done without manufactures 1t would
seem that, at present, only about one
third of the labor of the South can be
called available. And this for want Of
proper employment. AS matters now
stand, we are dependent upon the pro-
duction of cotton alone. for the support
of the entire population. And what num-
Der or what proportion Of our popula-1
ton is engaged in. it2 Not one third.
Not enough to support the balanee-who,
must be fed and clad, and are compelled
to be idle for want Of proper employ
ment. .5...a..'-..-...
The gross receipts for the cotton crop
may be set down at an average of $275,-
100000. And if the immense amount of
surplus labor in the Siuth. which is UNI
able to enter into thr production of cot
ton, but is admiralty adaptcu to its man.
ufacture, was All 'rtlcd the means of its
manipulation in proper factories, we ask;
would not this labor so employed, add
S275, 900 600 more to tho Golfers of the
South. Is not this the only salvation
for the South? Can she not yet, by the
Introduction If cotton factories alone,
become the Elost independent people
upon the face Of tie earth. = 81
1t would appear from the present stu
alton that the people Of the South ur,e
simply nothing more than serfs for the
New England States They must make
these States cottin to manufacture at d
profit of about two hundred per cent
and as IL -staull--ti.4. Il -.
the means of support to New
England. How long is tliisstate of things
to continue?
Let the sou.!l give employment to her
surplus labor, ;,pl make the profit on
the manipulation of the staple herself
Let the laws give us encouragement i'll
South Carolina; and with our resources
it would require comparatively little capr
ital to put i'll operation handsome cotton
factories in every part of. the State-in
Edgefield, in Aiken, along the Ridge
country, pronounced by travellers to be
the garden land of the South.
1t is all nonsense about such enter
priscs not paying. Look at New Eng
land, Virginia, North CaroilnaaMd Geor-
oia. We remember statement going
the rounds short time back, showing
that the factories iii these States had de-
clarod Dividend at from Is to % cents.
And look at the fact of the Graniteville
Company having q surplus of s4oQ,C0 or
$500, 900, ready for investment.
The fact is, we lose all the profit on our
cotton by letting other people manufiIc
ture it; and we hope the people at large
will be convinced of it at no distant day.
------~sS---'.
Further of the Louisiana Imbroglio.
On Monday, the 9Th inst, the people
of Louisiana were to make an attempt
to inaugurate the lawfully elected State
ofIicers-Gov. McEnery and others. And
for this purpose the lawful Legislature
was to assemble, though previously over
ridden and kept dowil by Grants bay'-
nets The people being determined to
assert their rights, and the usurping fac
ton being defiant and still backed by
Federal troops, it has been feared that
the day would see armed collision md
terrible bloodshcd. But the latest dis
,>,t,l nc ,fror, IEn.I,t,,utou and Nav Dr.