The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-12-30
The dOmlition of Abbevillc.

The first four days Of last week passed OIL
entirely Satisfactorily to our mcfchan'S.
Their sales were larger during those four days
4han for any same number of days during
The Fell, and they have had no special
reason to COMPLAIN since that time.
THE sales of cotton were also larger, and
rs q consequence much money was paid
in liouidation of current accounts. The low
nricc of cotton has had a depressing effect on
Tie people generally in every rart of the
State. and We sec from the newspapers that
moncy is scarce elsewhere as we'll as in Able
vile county.
While money is scarce, the farmers, rs a
rule, arc not in q distressed condition. They
have q reasonable amount of provisions, ana
will enter upon the work Of making another
crop with renewed energy, and in the belief
that better fortune awaits them.
From present indications We arc led to be-
lieve that the demand for plow animals will
not be great this spring. Our people have to
4 greater or less extent paid attention to their
PASTURES and have not entirely neglected TO
raise either 4 mule or horse, which is now
in many instances ready to take part III the
production Of the next crop.
There seems to be Il good supply of fine
milk COWS in the country, and many farmers
have enough and to spare.
While it is true that there is Not n great
amount of surplus cash in the country, yet it
is true that it will require much less money to
make the next crop than it has taken to
make any of the previous crops. This, be-
cause our people will need a small quantity
OF goods, and because goods OF every Kind
arc at rock bottom prices.
Tho new law which disturhs the credit OF
those citizens who may need the help of
the merchant and who may need the bene-
tit of good credit, may work a hardship in
some instances, and it is believed that the
owner of the and will be compelled to put
his credit or property in jeopardy or else let
his lands go untitled.
The est~ablishmcntof the bank at Ab5cvillc,
if its advantages are properly understood 10y
the people, may bring about Il change in the
conduct of many farms. Instead of buying
goods on a credit from the stores, it is be-
iicvcd that many farmers will borrow the
ready cash from the bank. This will in many
cases be of advantage to the farmer, and will
incidentally result in benefit to the "
If the people come here to get their cash. they
will most likely find it greatly to their adj
vantage TO make their purchases here, where
large stocks of goods may always be found.
Again, in the Fall of the year, when these
farmers come to pay off their notes in bank,
they will naturally spend with our merchants
a portion of their surplus money.
The loss of trade which Abbevil!e will sus-
tain by the completion of the Savannah Val
Icy Railroad is often referred to, but VIC are
inclined to believe that the aggregate gains
will very nearly, if not quite, compensate for
the aggregate losses which VIC may realize
That portion of the country surrounding Alb
beville village is improving, and the increase
of population and the development Of Now
industries hcreabout will all tend to keep Alb
bevillc up to its present standard. The reduc-
ton Of business because Of the building OF
the Greenwood and Augusta Railroad
is more apparent than real. 1t is true that
there has been slight decrease in the amount
of trade, in a money point OF view, but the
actual amount of goods sold is perhaps larger
this year than for any preceding year. All
classes of goods are low indeed when COM
pared with former prices. Their chcapncss,
more than any new competition, has reduced
the sales this year to 4 figure in money, which
is below that Of last year.
The gins which work for the public have
done a greatly increased BUSINESS over that
OF last year. Last season Mr.. Mcmillan
ginned only about 400 bales. This year he
has ginned about 1000 bales, and Mcssrs.
Smith & Henry, at their now establishment
,,bovc the depot, have ginncd perhaps 500
bales. This increased business is dine in q
measure to the trouble and delay incident to
getting work dom in the country, but chiefly
from the fact that these establishments which
are convenient to market, kept close up with
their work, and were always ready to serve
customers promptly. The cotton seed were
in market, and a saving of time was realized
in the marketing both the cotton and the
seed. The gins at Abbevillc will no doubt
gin three thousand bales next season.
Abbcville in 1885 has lost some trade tenn
rorarily because of the freight diScrimina-
lions against her in favor Of Greenwood, but
It is now believed that bubble has burst, and
that each town will hcnccfOrth receive its le-
Ultimate trade. It is understood that the
Georgia Central Railroad and the ClydeS have
agreed upon freight rates which arc just and
equitable to all the towns, so that it IS hoped
the question Of frcightS has been settled, and
that we need fear no further injury from the
Railroads.
<Eyyn y frN- FTnNIr Ix0 ~ III