Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-01-29
The Cotton Exposition.
PA;ladslpaia Tertile Record.

During the past month we have re-
ceiTed many letters from cotton planters,
dealers, and manufacturers, and from
makers of cotton machinery in this
country and Great Britain, expressing
the warmest approval Of the plan of the
International Cotton Exposition. In
every quarter there is manifeStly but one
scntiment-that this event will do Won
ders in advancing our various cotton
industries. Ii the assertions of leading
manufacturers of machinery for mani
pulating cotton, and of appliances for
the mills, are faithfully acted upon,
there will be such an sgglomeratiOn of
improved devices in Atlanta, represent
ing one distinctive interest, as the world
has never seen. 1t is reasonable TO
assume, now, that the first expectations
of the promoters of the enterprise will
fall far short of the results. Even at the
present premature stage, before the eX-
tent of tiOOrage 10 be devoted TO exhibi-
ton purposes has been decided upon,
there comes a volume of inquiries about
space, which is reassuring 10 a degree
The prospectus will shortly be issued,
containing full information upon all
points of interest to the prospective ex-
hibitor. 1t will be thoroughly distributed
throughout the United States and Eu-
rope.
The government has three important
duties 10 perform IN relation to this ex.
position, Of an imperative nature, which
should not be overlooked or delayed.
First, this exposition should receive,
and 10 secure q full measure of success
must hdCs, the sanction, charter, aud CO
.,f ka e ha ii
States. II any timIdity exists among
Representatives, it is baseless. The man
would be poor advocate of the peo
pies interest who failed 10 see IN this
event grand effort 10 extend one of the
foremost branches of American com
merce. 1t is no small affair and
must not be handled with tender
fingers. We can not see wherein
the slightest objection could arise to the
granting of a national charter 10 this
exposition, and the duty sternly de-
wolves upon Southern Senators and Con
gressmen to see that immediate and
favorable action is taken. Second, the
duties should be removed upon ma
chimes, ETC., sent into the country 70 ex
hibit. This is Of paramount conse-
quence. The Inquiry has been made by
several of the large machine builders of
Oldham, Manchester, Yorkshire, Hud
dersfield. Bradford, etc, "Wili full du-
ties be imposed upon exhibits from Eng
land ?" 1t is quite essential that these
English machines should be entered, bat
that the inventors will bring them and
pay the duties is quite improbable. This
matter should be made g subject of
special enactment during the present ses
sion of Congress. IL the exposition
should be dwarfed and its usefulness i'm
paired by the failure of the government
10 take proper cOgniZance of it, there
would be cause for genuine regret.
Third, there is another point, the import
ance of which should not be lightly esti-
mated. Very frequently inventors have
devices, for which no patents have been
issued, that they would gladly
show to the public, but for the
danger of having their ideas gar
bled and infringed. It is the OBJ
vious duty of the Commissioner OF
Patents TO protect all such exhibitors
against any loss of the fruits of their
Ingenuity. And if special Congressional
enactment is required to give the Com
missioner such power, it should be had
without delay These are matte rs which
we desire to strongly impress upon our
readers, and especially upon Congress.
If they are neglected or handled in
dilatory fashion, serious injury may
result.
It is gratifying to note that many Of
our letters received within the month re
fer to investments in cotton mills in the
Southern States. There can be no doubt
that the greatest result of the Exposition
will be the placing Of large amounts of
capital in mill property in the cotton
States. The astonishing success of
Southern mills has thoroughly exploded
the old idea that it was impracticable TO
manufacture cotton IN the regions where
il is grown. The South will doubtless
never make fabrics Of verv fine texture,
but it will supply an immense quantity
of the coarser goods.
We will be pleased to receive commu-
nications for publications upon the sub
Jet of the exposition from practical
men everywhere. We desire the fullest
expression of public sentiment.