Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-02
soUrnERs MANUFACTURERS.
stirring Address by the President
Important Resolutions Adopted.
fBy telegraph To the Dispatch.l

fBy telegraph To the Dispatch.l
AUGUSTA, May LIN pursuance OF the
call Of President Hickman the southern
manufacturers met here to-day TO take into
consideration the condition OF cotton manu-
featuring in the South; TO discuss the ad-
visibility OF a permanent organization Oi
the cotton manufacturers in the southern
States, and also whether cotton Begging
could be substituted for iute baggiug.
Manufacturers were present from Georgia.
south Carolina, North Carolina. Alabama,
Tennessee, aud Louisiana.
President Henchman in addressing the
convention said: "The question OF build.
ing new mills should be freely discussed.
We make serious mistake TO build mills
and put them in operation without having
commercial capital 10 protect our Interests.
The result OF the policy is that we ship our
goods TO agents for the purpose OF raising
money 10 keep our mills in motion. Once out
OF our control, they are often forced upon
the market and sold without reserve and
without profit. A good agent is good
thing 10 have II you can control him, but II
he controls you the danger-line will soon be
reached. Competition il too sharp TO make
money on such business principles. We
have had some success in making brown
cotton goods, but we are IN danger OF losing
our advantage. We are making more than
the country needs; hence the very 10"
prices now. We are making the same MIS-
take In making cotton that the Planters make
In growing IT. All cotton and no corn Is
a bad policy. All brown goods without di-
verifying our interest - az equally bad.
We have q large stock on band in this coun-
try, aud on March 3lst the Shanghai was
loaded down with 4.SG0 bales OF drills and
q. 900 bales OF sheetings, with prices very
low. We should control the matters OF south
America and Mexico. and 10 accomplish
this desired end we should Invoke Govern
ment aid. our flag should float over
every bale Of goods which leaves our ports.
The British Government. taking advantage
or some supposed trouble between emma
and our Government with the pope OF prelu-
diciug that country against us, has passed
law requiring every piece OF goods maze IN
this country and passing through England
20 China 10 be branded Manufactured in
the United states Of America We would
ike to have our goods reach China without
passing through England. and without the
use OF English bottoms. Give Us American
ships. Let China see tue American iag
II orr Government would lend helping
hand in placing our products IN ioreigp
countries il would not be long before you
would see manufactured IN L. :. A. on
goods made in Manchester, Eng. One other
! imnortant matter: We have invited our
cotion-groving friends and the consumers
OF our goods TO meet with us TO discuss the
great and absorbing question OF msnuiaclu-
ring otton-blgging from cotton, ana /
trust that you will in your wisdom be able 10
fall upon some plan that Will give
them substantial aid and comfort" 10 sc-
cordance with President liickman's sug-
eestion resolutions were adopted providing
for Il permanent organization. with head
quarters at Augusta, Ga, where snail be
stationed q secretary, whose duty II shall ne
to collec. and keep on record statistics snow
ing the number OF mills in the south, looms,
spiodles. quality and quantity OF product,
and sll Information Of value TO south
err cotton manufacturers. \ resolu-
tiou introduced by j. L. Hanson,
OF Macon, was unanimously adopted 20 me-
morialiZe Congress TO grant subsidies To
steamships from our ports 10 Central and
south America. a resolution was adopted
uledging the southern manufacturers 10 pay
Ten cents per hundred pounds more Tor cot
ton baled in cotton or other light bscEing than
for cotton in lutte begging. The impression
OF the convention seemed 10 be that cotton
bagging is not altogether practical, but the
shirt Of the manufacturers is TO DO all IN
their power TO aid their planters.
Representative. from the Georgia Farm
ers, Alliance and the South CAROLINA
Grange and Alliance were present 10y in
yiration aud took part in the cotton-bageing
discussion. One mill in New Orleans and
three in Georgia arc now msking cotton bag
cling, and It is probable that others will be
mt on r.. The annual meeting OF southern
manufacturers will occur in Augusta in Oe-
tOber.