Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-28
IRON TIES.
An Earnest Protest Against increasing
the Tax Upon Them.

The question of tax proposed TO be i'm
posed on cotton ties and bands, about which
the APPEAL has had much to say in opposl-
ton, has been taken in hand by the National
Cotton Exchange of America. from which
the following circular letter and petition has
been issued TO the various cotton exchanges,
the latter for distribution, upon which i. is
hoped the signature Of every laoorer in the
cotton-felds, colton-yards and gins and
presses will be obtained, they being vitality
interested in the gu: stion.
THE LETTER
NATIONAL COTTON EXCHANGE OF AMERICA,
NEW ORLEANS, January "a, 1883.
President Memphis Cotton Exchange:
DEAR sIR-Acting on the suggestion of promi-
nent southern congressman, lay before your
body memorial to Congress The design is that
copies of the be sent at once 10 the interior
for signature by colored laborers and planters and
forwar led to your representatives in Congress at
the earliest date possible. The exchanges them
selves entered protest at the last session against
similar action relative to the tariff, and with
effect. The attention Of your representatives
might also be called to this fact Re1psetfully,
President National Cotton Exchange.
c. n. PARKE, Secretary National Cotton Kx-
change.
THE MEMORIAL
To the Honorable Senate and House of Represen-
tatives of the United States:
The undersigned colored laborers in the cotton
fields, and growers and planters OF that great
staple of the South respectfully but earnestly pro-
test against the imposition Of any increased tar upon
iron ties and bands used in bdttng cotton They beg
torepresent that any increase of duty as is con-
TEN plated will be an immediate reduction OF the
proceeds they now receive from their labors. add
in gdrect to the cost OF sending their prod to
q market. They further beg to represent that the
price of cotton has reached so low figure that ii
barely affords living margin above the cost OF
production, and that with any additional imposi-
ton by the government they cannot compete with
the cheap labor of India and Egypt. In the lower
Mississippi valley the cotton crops for the past
three years have been poor and with the large
production elsewhere, the laborers and farmers
have been made to suffer frem lessened returns In
the way of cotton and lower prices, all of which
has reduced them to a condition of poverty and
distress In face of these facts the laboring people
ond especially the colored race, look TO the gov
eminent for assistance and protection, and earn
entail upon them additional burdens
.ROMPT ACTION OF THE MEMPHIS Elk
CHANGE.
Secretary Henry Hotter, of the Memphis
Cotton Exchange, received yesterday large
bundle OF the memorials" in blank, which he
has promptly forwarded TO various parties
within the district embraced in this Ex-
change, accompanied by the following letter
MEMPHIS COTTON EXCHANGE
MEMPHIS, TENN. January "a, 1888. !
DEAR SRI have the honor TO inclose you here
with memorial to Congress to be signed by col
ored cotton-eld laborers and planters, protesting
against the proposed increase of import duties
upon iron ties. viii you kindly obtain as many
signatures possible, and forward at the earliest
date practicable to your representatives in Con
gress. Very respectfully, HENRY HOTTER,
Secretary and Superintendent.