New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-07
MANUFACTURES AT THE SOUTH.

VARIED CHARACTER or SOUTHERN MANUFACTURES
NATURAL PRKPONDERANCE Or COTToS-IM-
PROVED METHODS AND MACHINERY IN THE
AuLS-GKNKBAL GOOD CHARACTER AND PROS
o. Porous CONDITION or THE OPERATIvEs-RELA-
TONS OF EMPLOYERS TO EMPLOYEs-A BRIGHT
PROSPECT AHEAD FOR SOUTHERN MANUFAC-
TURING INTERESTS.
IRON A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBCNE.l
CHARLESTON. 5. c.. March 3O.-I have now
visited every Southern State except Florida.
have postponed TN now all report Of some things
observed everywhere, IN order 20 have the widest
possible basis IN observation and comparison for
NV conclusions. Southern manufacturing enter
prises have interested me greatly. but have hth-
erto said little about them for the reason just men
toned. / have visited nearly all the principal
cotton mills of the south besides many factories IN
different States for the production OF OIL and oil
cake from cOttonseod artificial stone ice fertilizers
of various kinds medicines and toilet preparations,
flour. tobacco beer whiskcy. lime, cement soap
sodawate artificial legs and arms saddles, sashcs,
blinds and doors furniture. lumber wagons and
carriages ploughs steam engines, boilers cane and
sugar mills, saw mills cotton presses iron store
fronts cotton gins. slaves and barrels. etc. etc
was in one good electrotype foundry. and saw tho
beginnings of various other manufacturing enter
prises some OF which likely to grow 10 import
ant proportions. Many things are now made from
the oil contained in cottonseed. and tins Is hecom-
Ing one OF the most valuable products of the south
Al one Of the oil mills in w-Oricans was refused
admission on the ground that some of the processes
and appliances used in the manufacture were secret
and that il wouil not therefore be- consistent with
the interests Of the propreturs % have the mill eN-
amined by strangers. Bu, as had no wish to pub
l.sh anything that anybody desired should be pri-
vate or in anywise 10 injure tine owners Of the
establishment did not think il wrong to VISIT
every part IF the factory although forbidden To 10
so. | found il wcll-oquippcd and most valuable
industry. The workmen ike 90 eat the oicako'
which is sweet and pleasant TO the taste. lhry
keep chewing il while at work. and grow FAT on H.
1t Is q very healthy occupation, though not very
clearly.
Iron is manufactured from the orr at various
points and TIN, industry Is rapidly increasing. Tie
manufacture of agricultural machinery and imple-
meuts i, extensive and highly remuncralvc ana lhe
same is trae of wagon and carriage making.
Whisky has long been, as everybody knows one oil
| the staple manufactures of the south II Is pro
duccd far more abundanty than l could wish were
the case considering the real interest and welfare
| of the people of the country. Within few years
the manufacture Of beer has also become extensive
| and profitable in the South. Tho production ana
! sale Of fertilizers amount 70 many millions oil
! dollars worth annually. Thcre excellent iron
foundres doing n good business ut various points IN
Mississippi Alabama, Texas and other states. In
most Of these rs in some other Of the shops ana
| factories mentioned above, negroes arr employed
| and in the manufacture Of tobacco most oil the
/ laborers are negroes though a few white womon
work with them. But in the cotton mills II the
South only white aborcrs are now employed be-
lieve. although before the emancipation Of the
slaves there were cotton mills in tho south which
! we're carried on with slave labor
COTTON MAVUFACTORIFs.
Thu, uchout my journey have given much aiten-
ton 10 everything connected with tho cotton manu-
features of the south because have more acqnant-
ance with tho same business IN the North Than with
| any Of our other great manufacturing industries
Having seen much Of factory life in New-Ens.and.
have been greatly interested in employing the COM
parativo method Of study in Southern mills. The
first thing noticeable everywhere hero is the OK
tremely happy and satisfied feeling Of the manufac-
turers and their confident hopefulness regarding
their business in the future have seen the books
and balance-sheets Of several Of the principal mills
| and | find that the owners have n solid and ale
ouate basis for their somewhat exultan' and
J triumphant mood. Southern cotton manufacturers
are making money and they arr extending tho IN
dustIy with great rapidiiy In some install es they
have had offers Of capital from the North than
they need Several Of the stronger corporations are
becoming possessed of adequate capital OF their own.
! think the Northern man who is most widely
known ar talked abont in the south is Mr. Edward
A,linson ~ BostoD Not only do the cotton mann
f,ctprrs All know of him and Of his interest in the
cotton manufactures OF the South but the planters
| and cotton dealers everywhere speak Of him and OF
his opinions Mr.. Atkinson thinks 1t might be
easier. or better for the Southern people 10 begin
With other manufactures. snch as shocmaking and
other Industries recurring q less costly plant -
tim with tbe manufacture Of cotton until they