The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-30

almost everything used by the farmers oil MIS-
w sec no reaspk Why every southern iarme,
once 81 down and 5fiie a letter to the Hon; Roger
@ NILS, OF Texas, demanding an eApnuAuon vi
To claim thatthe great reduction in the
prices OF cotton goods is due to protecuon
is an argument as fallacious as TO say that
similar and equal reductions IN the prices
OF cotton goods 10 free trade" England
is due TO the protective policy oil these
United States.
1t is a well known fact that wages in the
same period have advanced at a proper,
pionately greater rate in free rade'
England than they have In any oil the
projected nations OF the old world. Inc
only deduction 10 be drawn from this well
known fact is that the reduction IN the
prices OF cotton goods in these old coun-
tries must be due TO two causes, the i'm
proved mechanical appliances which ave
been brought almost TO a stage OF perfec-
ton, and TO the more economical METHOD
OF manufacture, brought about through
the necessity OF meeting sharper compete
ton from every countryin every field.
As TO the price OF cotton in Memphis in
1860 and 1883 the figures show that II the
same conditions had existed in 1883 under
protection that existed in 1860 under free
| trade" the Southern planter would have
received about G cents for his cotton in
Memphis in 1883. a
The first feature in this condition is
shown in the comparative production OF
cotton in the two years named. In 1860
the production was 20 pounds per capita.
In 1888 il was 80 pounds. A production
OF 10 pounds per capita In 1883 would
have made a crop OF over 5000, 900 bales.
Every cotton planter knows what effect
such Il crop would have had on the price
OF hia staple crop.
As ii was, with a 30 per cent. decrease in
the per capita production the average
price of middling cotton in New York in
1888 was cent lower than the average
price In 1860; the average prices as given
by the statistical bureau being respectively
1913 in 1850 and 9.S in 1888. In other
words, on a decreased per capita produc.
ton IN 1883, the cotton planter lost
cent a pound on his cotton, based on the
New York prices. So much for the benef-
cent influences Of protection.
Mr.. Moore, the New York Sun and the
Economist eliminate altogether the effect
/ NV lhiinlblAtNlOh wv OAlltI Iilul kt1
have had upon the prices OF cotton in
Memphis. In 1860, according TO Mr..
Moore, the Memphis price was s.5 cents OF
2.3 cents lower than the New York price
which was los. In 1883, when Mr.. Moore's
'ledger account" was produced, Memphis
was paying within one-half n cent OF the
New York price which, in 1883 averaged
9.S. II the 1860 average, 1913, had ruled
in 1883, Memphis factors would have been
able TO pay l0.3 for middling uplands. The
planter, at a glance, can see that but for
tho aid Of decreased transportation and
other charges the bounteous blessings OF
protection In 1883 would have brought
him rs cents for his middling cottons in
the Memphis market.
Another fact the high tariff economists
may learn by i%iguringi il out is notwith-
standing the immense decrease In the prices
election cloths broughtabout through more
perfect methods OF production, the protec-
ton laws OF the country have brought
about an annual export of Sl2, 500, OOO
worth Of manufactured cotton against
an export OF SEQ. 900. 600 worth Of raw cot
ton. This is the work Of twenty-eight
years OF protection.
On the other hand free trade" England
imports SIS, DOC, 900 worth OF raw cotton,
and after clothing her $1,000, 900 people
exports 1915. O00, 900 worth OF manufac-
tured cotton. Commenting on this very
fact, the New York Economia has the
hardihood TO uphold the protection laws
with all their restrictive influences, and
10 berate the policy OF 'ircer trade" as
advocated by Southern planters, which
would result in tho cotton mills OF
tho South converting the 500, OOO, 900
worth OF raw cotton into 500, OOO, 600 worth
OF manufactured cotton, which would find
a ready market In the same fields where
England yearly places S3l5, 0OO, 900 worth
OF manufactured cotton, the bulk Of which
Is received In its raw state from the cotton
plantations OF the South.
Is II wonderful that both the Southern
manufacturer and Southern planter want
to see a radical change made in the tafih
laws OF this country.
DAVID ID HARRIS.
Meridian. Miss, March 20, 1889.