Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-27
DIXIE'S WHITE SLAVES.
COTTON PLANTERS AT THE
MERCY OF SPECTATORS.

Diversified Farming the Only Way in
Which the Thraldom Can be Thrown
oh-A strong Plea from the Iuter.
State Agricultural Convention at Jack.
son.
MEMPHIS, TENN, Feb. 25.--The Inter.
State Agricultural Convention. which has
been in session at Jackson, Tenn, since
Wednesday, adjourned this evening. Tha
following resolution was adopted, With
an amendment to include Dresdstuts and
hog products, as we'll as cotton,
The manipulation by speculators OF tbs
cotton crop of 1856 which 50 depressed
prices that they have fallen below the ac-
tual cost OF production forces upon she
planters of the South the necessity of re-
lieving themselves as far "a in tbeir pow
er lies from the influence OF so ruinous a
system as that which now controls the
chief exportable product of the country,
and with this end In view the represen
tatives or the agricultural interests Of
Tennessee In convention assembled, call
upon our brother planters OF all Southern
States to protect themselves by united
action.
PRICE OF THE NEXT CROP.
Emboldened by past successes the speo-
ulator has already fixed the standard
price for the cotton crop OF 1865 This
he has done before the seed has been put
In the ground or even ploughs have been
started. The cotton futures for tina
months of October November ard Des
cember, 1886, and January, 1887 are to-
day quoted in New York at from $ 90c. ta
Ss4c, according TO the months. This
means not exceeding sac. for middlIng
cotton in New York or sac. at the prln-
cipal cotton shipping ports OF the South,
including such cities as New Orleans,
Charleston, savannah, Augusta, MOBILIZE
Galveston and Memphis.
THE PRICE TO THE PLANTER.
Middling cotton at these cities selling
for sac. means not more than 7Hc.
to the planter, who must pay
freight, insurance and regular commls@
sion charges, which generally average
from 36c. to lc. per pound. Now in
view Of these conditions 80 ruinOus Of our
interests, we appeal TO the intelligence ok
the cotton grower and ask him can he
pay the expense Of farming and make
even a bare living by selling cotton au
716c. per pound. The answer is already
given In the negative. The next question
following upon this is what is the remedye
DIVERSIFIED CROPS THE REMEDY.
We answer diversified crops. Plant
one-third less cotton and more grain and
grasses. Raise hogs ana bominY. Lee
cotton be the surplus crop. Instead Of
producing 6,500.000 bales make only
| 100000 bales. BY this means we may
realize long price for our labor, and az
the same time live independently OF the
speculating sharks who profit by our
losses. In addition TO this the Legisla.
lures OF each of the Southern States
should be petitioned to make dealings for
future delivery, unless cotton is actually
on hand to sell aud Is actually delivered
TO the contracting purchaser, a felony
punishable by fine and imprisonment OF
not less 81, 900 and two years in the peni-
tentiaTy. The time Is now prOpitious
for marked action and we appeal
TO the press OF the North TO aid US in
our efforts bygiving every publicity to this
protest and appeal, which we feel can
not but result benehcially TO the planter
ifpromptly acted upon and lived up "a
honestly.