Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-06-20
Cotton Mills in the South.
Ne,o Orleans Democrat.

AT no time has the scheme of estab-
fishing cotton mills in the South shown
more strength, vigor or promise than it
does at present. As Tennessee gentle
man travelling in New England wrote a
few days since to the Louisville Courier
Journal, the idea of removing the cotton
mills South has reached fever heat in
New England. and if Southern towns
and villages will show the proper spirit
and disposition they will secure North
ern capital, machinery and experience
to embark in this industry, which prom
Uses so much for the South.
During the past week no less than four
distinct propositions have been made by
Northern mill men to establish them
selves in the South, and it is probable
that majority of these propositions will
be accepted and carried out.
A Boston company, through Mr..
Lowe. of Alabama, has offered to put
$3.50, 600 into a cotton mill at Memphis.
Tenn, if the citizens of that town would
put in the same amount of capital. The
AUaLanche has opened subscription for
that purpose, and large sum of money
has already been promised by leading
citizens of Memphis.
A Massachusetts company has made a
similar proposition to the people of
Louisville, which the Courier Journal
promises will be accepted.
An intelligent and business-like Rhode
Islander made similar proposition to
the people of Huntsville, Ala The
corporation formed, the stock taken up
and the company organized. The city,
following the course of this State, has
wisely exempted the new company from
taxation for ten years. provided the fac
tory is kept in operation. And matters
are moving forward with such rapidity
that it is probable that the mill will be in
full working order by October Is.
And, lastly, Boston company now
offers to invest $500, 900 in cotton fac.
tory in Vicksburg.
We need not mention here the various
other cotton mill schemes now under
consideration in the South; the new mill
at Natchez, the two new ones at Au-
gusta, our own company, nor the in
crease made in the capacity of nearly
every Southern MILL what we wish to
show is the fact that the Northern manu-
facturers recognize the fact that the South
is the future field for the cotton goods
industry, and are already beginning to
move South to carry on the business here.
The testimony of all the newspaper
correspondents who have visited this
section-and nearly all of the Northern
journals have sent out correspondents
for that purpose : is to the same effect.
The New York Tribune declares that
the South offers innumerable advantages !;
that the hands are better treated and
better satisfied than those of the North !;
that, besides the advantages of cheaper
cotton, cheaper motive power, cheaper
labor and freight, fewer days of inter
ruption with work, etc. the Southern
manufacturers enjoy the estimable ad
vantage of being on friendly terms with
their hands, and safe from the strikes
and labor troubles that have so crippled
the prosperity of Fall River and Paw.
tucket.
The New York Herald is still more
enthusiastic on the subject, and believes
manufacturing industry from New
England. The South possesses, in its
opinion, natural advantages which New
England has not. 1t has abundance of
fuel, abundance of water power, and a
climate just suited to this industry, and
which does not interfere with work like
the rigorous winters of New England.
1t is nearer the cotton field, and it is
nearer the many points to be supplied
with cotton goods. Particularly IS this
so of Mexico, which lies much nearer to
the South, and with which we hope to
soon open important commercial rela-
tions.
AS to the remarks of Mr. Edward
Atkinson, in reply to the inquiry made
of him by the Democrat concerning the
future of the cotton manufacturing in
dustry in the South, the Herald says:
"Mr. Atkinson is New England man
and identified with the cotton interests
of that country. We have seen no
reasons put forth in support of his opin-
ion that the South cannot become a
great centre of the cotton manufacturing
industry which cannot be overcome in
time. OF course it will take time to
build up cotton manufactures in the
South, as it has in England and in New
England. But the South has rare natu
raj advantages for the development of
this industry, which, if properly turned
to account, cannot fail of great results. :"
With such testimony in our favor,
with the practical Endorsement of the
New England manufacturers in estab-
fishing their mills in the South. it is
evident that the cotton mill boom" is
not forced, but natural and promising
much for our future.