The comet., 1881-06-04
COTTON PLANTERS MEETING AT
MEMPHIS.

| Tne meeting OF cOCCOn planters,
which assembled at Memphis and ad-
journed Il few days since, was very
important.
In their resolutions it was urged
upon Congress to enact laws that will
prevent excessive transportation
charges. Immigration was encourag-
ed by recommending that its import
ance be set before each of the State
Legislatures.
1t was also recommended that the
Agricultural Commissioner of the
United States have the same power as
a Cabinet officer, aud that an expert
mental farm he organized for the pro-
motion of different agricultural pro-
duets, with an experimental cotton
farm.
Lengthy resolutions were adopted
on the importance of cotton seed as
fertilizer the cost of establishing
planters cooperative mills; and a
committee will be appointed to inves-
tigate its value, and secure better
prices for seed.
On the subject of immigration the
following was adopted:
What we regard as the best, surest
and most permanent method of at
tracting immigration to our Southern
country is to adopt such systems of
conducting our industries as to bring
about prosperity to those of us already
here, and TO the promotion of this end
we look with great favor and reliance
to a diversification of crops, and to
the addition of variety to our indus
tries, 80 as to make us self-sustaining.
Without prosperity to those already
here immigration must be limited and
unreliable. However, during the
great flood of immigration to Amer
lea tina. is now going on of people who
might teach us useful practices in ag-
riculture and manufactures, we deem
it advisable and hereby recommend
that the Legislatures of the southern
States take proper and necessary steps
to place before the people the advan-
tages of our country, as compared
with the Northwest, as a place to en-
gage in any and all kinds Of indus
ufieS.
This is a very good resolution, II we
could only impress upon the minds of
the people its Importance. But how
are we to get them to diversity their
Industries? Nearly two decades have
passed since the war, and they are still
moving on in the same old path. This
year there will he a larger acreage in
cotton than there was last, and it will
cost 20 per cent. more TO make 1t than
last year. The effect of this will be
deplorable condition of affairs next
fall and winter. 1t will be impossible
for the farmers to get out Of debt with
the present low price of cotton and
high price of provisions. Without a
prosperity of the country immigrants
will not come here, but go where they
can do better.
The following resolution was also
adopted, on the introduction Of manu-
capital here from the North
of Europe:
ResOlUed, That committee of five
be appointed, whose dlty IL shall be
to correspond with manufacturing |
capital of the Northern States of our |
and England and the conti-
nent, with a view of inducing capital
TO seek investment in the reduction of
the cotton crop to yarns and fabrics by |
cotton manufactures in the
main inland and seaport cities and
towns in the cotton belt, and to ascer-
tain the comparative expense of man.
cotton Ia tie South, with
The expense In New England and in
foreign countries, and to report at the
next meeting of the Association.
After speeches by Hon. J. B. KILL
brew, Of Tennessee, and Maj. f. g.
Wall, of Mississippi, the meeting adj
burned to meet at Atlanta contempo-
-ary with the Cotton Exposition.
Such a cooperation of the cotton
planters is destined to accomplish a
great deal of good. 1t is directed by
,ur most Intelligent representatives
rom all the cotton States.
There is a tremendous power at
work which is bound b bring about a
evolution. Let the press of the South
and aid them in their noble
Ind useful mission Of saving the South
rom bankruptcy and ruin.