Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-09
Cotton Planters Union.


The farmers ground swell OF dozen
years ago has long since subsidized, and
very few oranges now remain in exist
ence. Al one time it seemed as II the
grange movement would exercise Won
derful and permanent influence on the
future of the country, but The elaborate
ideas of its originators, which promised
TO do so much for the farmers in every
part of the country, proved to be imprac-
ticable, and the main objects of the order
were soon abandoned or subOrdinated,
and the oranges generally became mere
societies for pleasant social Intercourse
and for the purpose Of conference on agri-
cultural aud kindred topics.
The trouble with the oranges was that
a great many of the farmers would not
Join them, and it was soon found to be i'm
possible TO secure that unity and CO.
operation which were absolutely neces-
sary to make success of the move
ment.
There is now a growing sentiment in
favor of a cotton planters union in the Mis-
sissippi Valley and Texas. There are plen-
ty OF arguments in favor OF such union.
The success of manufacturers unions and
railroad pools has been noted by the
planters, who plainly see that for the
past twenty years they have been ruined
almost by overproduction, and by the
want OF cooperation.
No one will dispute that the average
price of cotton for the past few years has
been little, If anything, above the average
cost Of production, even where planters
have had fertile lands and have pursued
the best methods. 1t is universally adj
mItted that the main cause of the low
prices of cotton is OverprOduction, and
there is no reasonable doubt but that il
the amount produced could be
limited to reasonable degree
the price would be materially and
permanently increased. Many planters
have an idea that it would be possible to
so limit production that so high as 20c.
per pound could be commanded for
American cotton. This is an unreasona-
BILE view of the subject. The highest
prices that could be hoped for would
probably be 10c. or 12c., as Il very high
price would cause great increase IN the
consumption of coarse foreign staples.
There would be good money in producing
cotton if it could be made to bring 10c. to
12c. in our Southern markets for average
grades. 1t is to be feared, however, that it
will be long time before such prices can
be obtained, as the outlook for united ac-
ton on the part of the planters in the
light of the history of similar local and
general movements in the past is not a
hopeful one.
There is IA disposition in some sections
to blame factors 10 considerable extent
for the want OF success in cotton plant
ing. 1t has been suggested in Texas that
the planters unite to market their own
crops and thus dodge what they term the
"tolls and tricks" Of the factors and COM
mission merchants. The war of the grau-
gers on middlemen soon came to nothing.
1t was violative of the natural laws OF
trade and commerce, and few co-opera-
tive warehouses or stores lasted more
than one season. The farmers in every
part of the Union soon discovered that
stock in such enterprises was very I'M
profitable, both so far as the dividends
were concerned and as to the indirect
benefits that it was supposed would be de-
rived from them.
The fact is, the experienced, conscien-
tious factor and commission merchant is
indispensable to the success of the cotton
planter. Intelligent planters in every
part of the South appreciate this fact,
and the cry against the cotton mid
dlemen will not be likely to attract much
attention.
The planters can reduce the annual pro-
duction of the great Southern staple, if
they Will only do so. Resolutions and
conventions may do good by emphasizing
the necessity for reduction, but
after all the individual action
of the planters is necessary to make the
movement a success. Bulling the market
by resolutions is impractIcable. The cot
ton SPECTATORS and spinners know as
much If not more about the acreage. con-
dition and prospects of the cotton crop
than the planters themselves know.
Nothing but an actual cutting down of
planting operations will avail. and the
planters who reduce the area planted In
cotton and increase that planted in pro-
vision crops are the wise ones.