The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-11-16
The Southern Cotton Manufac.
tories

Tie New York Shipping List says
Cotton manufacturing at the south
is making rapid Roadway, in spite OF
the predictions few years ago that
that section of country would never
be able to compete with New En-
gland in this branch of industry. .
The natural advantages of the
south over the north in the produc-
ton of the heavier varieties of cot
ton goods are admitted by practical
manufacturers to be from ten to
twenty per cent. The chief essen.
tials are salubrious climate, relia-
bic and cheap power, cheap labor,
accessibility to the raw material,
prompt and cheap transportation
and skillful management. Expert
eDce has shown that the climate is
peculiarly adapted to the manufac-
ture of cotton. 1t is claimed that
more and better goods can be pro-
duced in an atmosphere hav-
ing uniform humidity of sixty-five
or seventy per cent than in
the higher ATTITUDES. The southern
atmosphere being soft and balmy
| the cotton works easily aud
smoothly, and without the difficulty
experienced in many other localities
from electricity, which has to be
corrected by steam and other arti.
| fetal means.
Goods produced at the south have
peculiarly soft and smooth appear
auce, which in msDy localities has
to be brought out by some finishing
process after they are made. The
mildness of the winter is such that
little artificial heat Is needed TO
make the mills comfortable, while
the heat i'll summer is not great
enough to render them less efficient.
| Water power in most OF the south
ern states is abundant aud re-
liable at all seasons of the
year, besides being easily con-
! trolled. The absence of any cousid
cradle accumulation of ice in winter
dispenses with many expensive con-
trivances required i'll the colder eli.
mate of the northern states. Nat
ural granite formations at all water
falls furnish permanent foundations
without the expense of piling and
cOncreting. There is in the whole
south population of natives pecu-
liarly suited to make efficient and
skillful operatives. Living being
cheap makes labor cheap, and while
southern operatives live comforta.
bly,, the wages paid them are less
than is absolutely necessary for the
subsistence of those in colder coun.
tries, where houses are necessarily
mare expensive, as well as fuel and
clothing. The water powers are
located in the midst of the cotton
fields, and large part of the cotton
consumed may be bought direct
from the, producer. A very
material advantage is that il
comes direct from the gins, is
clean. has not been compressed fol
shipment, and, as a consequence
works mucn better and easier and
makes much less waste and better
goods. Facilities for transportation
to market by means of railways are
being rapidly multiplied. The de.
mand tor the styles of goods made
at the south is at present sufficient
to take all that are made, and the
demand is constantly increasing
For the present it is for the interest
of the southern manufacturers to
cOnfine themselves to the produc.
ton of the heavier yarns and fabrics
A we'll built and organized mill OF
10000 TO 10000 spindles at the south
makes net profit upon the capital
stock of Is to 20 per cent, while
some mills earn more. 1t is evident,
from the increased attention given
to this industry by the southern
press, that there Is a genuine awak-
ening In that section relative to the
establishment of cotton mills.