The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-10-10
THE CORNER ON JUrE BAGGING.
What the Master of the State Grange Ha
to Say About 1t.

to Say About 1t.
To the Patrons of Husbandry OF
South Carolina.-I have watched with q
great deal of interest the discussions as
to the best means to defeat the specnla-
tors in their corner in jute Dagging, by
which all cotton producers are forced to
pay nearly double this season, Tor bag
ging, what the same article brought last
season, and am induced to suggest a few
thoughts to the members Of the Grange
throughout the State. I certainly would
be glad to see the Grange oppose by
every available means this iniqultous
combination, and adopt every and all
substitutes for covering cotton that can
be used, and while this is Grange prin-
ciples, to cooperate and solidly fight
against everything that is calculated to
be detrimental to the farmers interest
it is equally our duty to direct these
efforts intelligently, so that we may &C.
complish our purpose and not be the
sufferers thereby.
1t seems to me that there is very little
relief for the farmers for this season.
The manufactures have sold all their
bagging to the Spectators, and they
have sold and made their profits out Of
the merchants, and unfortunately as q
general thing the merchants have al
ready such hold upon the farmer that
he can force him to sell his cotton as
soon as it is gathered from the field.
For the farmer to refuse to buy bagging
at present prices and hold back his cot
ton seems to me to be unwise, for he
thereby withholds from his creditor for
time at least what is justly due him,
and this will not reduce the price Of
bagging, but certainly will come great
loss to the farmer. His cotton will lose
in weight, his interest account will be
increased, and most probably get less
price for his cotton. Then again for the
farmers to cover their cotton with any
substitute that will not be merchantable
covering, such as is prescribed by the
different cotton exchanges, or that will
iniure the staple will entail loss on the
farmer, for all reclamations will most
certainly be paid by none except the
producer.
If we can use any closely-woven, light,
strong material, well covered with extra
bands, at cheaper cost than bagging,
or when Patrons live adjacent to facto-
ries where their cotton will be accepted
packed otherwise than in jute bagglng,
then I would advise such covering. Ii
we can induce our Southern mills to
manufacture some strong cotton mate
rial, suitable for covering cotton cheap
er than jute bagging, and then the
members of the Grange and all cotton
producers unite and give such mill or
mills their entire patronage, upon con-
dition that such mills will never enter
into an unjust combination, nor allow
Spectators to do so, against the farm
ers, then it seems to me we will have
gained that relief that is now out OF our
reach. I think the cheaper grades OF
cotton could be utilized in this way to
advantage both to the mills and the
consumers. The present state of things
certainly convinces us how utterly in
the power of Spectators the farmers
are, and we should now make every
effort to place ourselves in such condl-
ton as to be able to resist similar COM
bination in the future.
Fraternally yours,
W. X. THOMPSON,
Master State Grange of 5. G.