Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-18
SOUTHERN COTTON
lag PROSPECTS.

At the opening of the year representatives
OF more than a score of cotton factories in
the Southern States organized Southern
Cotton Manufacturers Association" for mu-
tusl Improvement and protection, and J. F.
Hanson, of Macon, Ga, a protective tariff
man, was chosen president, with I. B. Dallas,
of Nashville, az secretary. The association
issued a circular letter to the cotton manu-
fscturers Of the South, in which they assured
them that ''the cotton-spinning business of
the South is in anything but prosperous
condition" In the light OF subsequent
events, especially Of the testimony of the
Eastern mills as to the success of The South
az rivals to them in the Western market, the
position taken by the new association
has fully sustained the views ex-
pressed by the APPEAL when its
circular appeared, and accordingly we
have seer, since its establishment, no
public mention of the young and immature
association. 1t appears 10 have sunk into
the grave of dead hopes aud ill-foundered
projects. The object in view evidently was
to secure as much protection fer infant
industry" as could be got. The Hrglvct au-
corded TO the association by the Southern
mills generally, appears to intimate that it
is not TO protection those mills look for success
in business. Appearances, indeed, indicate
that protection and the high prices resulting
from il would retsrd, not stimulate the pros.
psrity OF the Southern cotton mills. These
will, for some time to come, supply no more
goods than a market can be found for within
the Uaited States. A cent pound in the
price OF cotton and reasonable freights in
getting the cotton TO market, is ample pro-
lection in dealing with the Southwest and
West on the principle of good, sound free
trade. Ultimately, however, foreign out
let will be wanted, as it will be great ad-
vantage 10 the grower and 10 the country
to send abroad more manufactured goods
and lees raw cotton. The railway counee-
ton with Mexico will give fine oppor-
tunity TO the Southern mills 10 extend their
business connection, and that market will be
of value Just in proportion to the cheapness,
of the American cotton.. Goods at lower
pIIcss Than DINERS can make OF Inc same
quality, aud honest goods clear of sizs and
made Of good American cotton, will give the
Southern manufacturers the Mexican trade,
if they are enterprising. The stout quality
of goods our Southern mills are producing
lie Just what the Mexican market requires.
The English ara making great efforts to Sc
cure this trade for themselves, but their in.
ferior, heavily sized goods cannot sand in
competition with American clolhs, provided
that our goods are not made dear By pro
lection. If we are 10 pay heavy taxes On
cotton ties, cotton machinery, aud go on all
through, the money to pay those taxes must
come out Of the cotton and the goods made OF
il, and so add 10 their price, and this indie ties
that, whatever may be the case elsewhere
all the South wants for her cotton is to be let
alone; to be allowed to build up business
relying on it's own inherent strength, not On
a sy tenn of artificial protection. The Amer
lean manufacturer must set himself resolute-
ly to work to Dispute the Mexican, South