The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-29
COLD AND STARTLING.
PLAIN STATEMENTS ABOUT COTTON
BAGGING AND THE FARMERS.
They Have for Years Enjoyed from 100
to 800 Per Cent. Profit-Merchants
the Ones to Kick-Can the Holding
of Cotton Crush the TrustP

To the Editor OF The Appeal
lnotced an editorial in THE APPEAL
this morning, headed "The Farmers
Speak In this editorial it is stated
that the monopolists want 100 to 200 per
cent. profit on their bagging. desire to
make plain statement OF facts, in which
it will clearly be seen that the farmers
have not only wanted, but for several years
made clear profit OF from 100 to 800 per
per cent. on their baggng, while the
wholesale merchants have had to content
themselves witha profit of less than cent
per yard, or | OF a cent per pound, and
often not that much. With two-pound
bdgging ut 20 cents per yard, the farmers
Will not lose u cent, when they get 10
cents per pound for their cotton.
Let us see what the bagging on a bale of
cotton now costs and the price the farmers
will receive and the net profit. Seven
yards OF two-pound bagging at - cents
per pound costs 81 cents. Seven Yards Of
tWo-pound bagging, fourteen pounds, ut 10
cents per pound makes II 40, leaving net
profit OF 56 cents to the farmer per bale.
IL is true that many merchants have
purchased bagging at very low prices com.
pared with the present price, and will
make large profits, but this will not rcim-
bursc thom for interest storage, drayagc
and insurance paid Tor many years past.
The farmers will not only make ~ cents
per bale net in bagging, but will also clear
% cents per bale ON ties. making total
net profit OF Sl.5l per bale on the bagging
and ties, on an Investment of Sl.OP |
estimate the ties at y. p per bundle, or -
per bale, weighing eleven pounds TO the
bale, at 10 cents per pound gives Sl.l0,
less p cents, the cost, leaving q net profit
OF % cents per bale on ties, or nearly 400
per cent. Thus it will Ice seen that the
ialmcr7 are not in reality losing, only be.
ing deprived Of the immense profits they
have been making in the past.
lam stanch friend OF the planters and
opposed 20 monppolles, and only give the
facts in this article that all parties may be-
rightly placed before the public. II the
merchants had paid 10 cents per yard for
baggng, and the price hy Spectators had
been reduced 10 . cents, they would have
been compelled TO pocket the loss, rs the
farmers would have held indignation meet.
ingS to protect them from loss For this
reason they should not bee ccnsurcl Tor
selling ut the market prices II cotton
hlggiug could be mldu here Ms well us
used then the consumption might in.
crcgs' the price Of cotton, M luns, il
would keep millions ul dollars i'm the
south annually. While am in sympathy
with the country merchants and farmers.
] am satisfied tlat jhr suggestions made
| 10y some ol them Mundlv II followed.
would work not only an injury to tucm 40
| present. but hardship IN the future. |
| have reference 10 their holding their cot.
ton 20 sco il the bJgriug trust cannot be-
| broken. II is we'll known fact that
scyen-cighths Of the farmers arc LARGELY
I indebted 10 the county merchants, and
/ that thWc-lourths ul the country
merchants owe the wholesale myl.
/ chant large sums. ON which thuy
pay interest Now, can the farmer
afford 10 pay interest. los" the drcrcus' iu
| the weight Ui the seed cotton. as it lrip,
out, ami run the risk oi getting q lower
market in which to -rli his cotton in order
to get hoped for reduction iD the bngping
which may mover Gomez Besides. IL IN,
| i1ct Is known ,hatthc farmer, are going &
| hold their cotton, Who will advance thJ
money 10 pick Il, and without the clsh 9,
pay therefor, whore wi, there De- found
labor 10 do the work on a crgdit'
FArTs.