The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-05


the quality of the cotton was excellent. In
point Of fact, it was indeed a great cotton year
for the south and the cotton planter. The cot
ton crop was the largest and one OF the finest
ever raised. and it was marketed at very salts
factory prices, or an average OF cent per
pound. OF IS per bale, over the highest average
| in seven years Added TO this there was no time
lost in gathering the crop, as the weather was
good, which fact made 1t less expensive IN get
ting the crop to market. The food supplies alSo
were cheap. All these circumstances combined
to make the last year the prettiest cotton year
in the south's history. In truth, the uniformity
OF the production Of cotton for the last three
years was something very remarkable. The
total crop will reach 73ll,322 bales, the largest
crop eve- produced. OF this immense crop
Savannah received 9565l7 bales, just 127ssS
bales more than the previous season, and o. OO
bales more than she ever received in any other
year Her receipts exceeded Charleston's by
6O7, $50 bales, and the combined receipts OF the
Virginia ports of Norfolk, West Point
aud Newport News something over
100, 900 bales. These figures of themselves speak
| eloquenLly for Savannah as cotton market and
shipping port.
remarkable feature of last years receipts
at the ports was the very heavy increase at the
| gulf ports which was over 10000 bales greater
than the Atlantic ports, but with all this Savan-
nah was not the loser by their gain, but gained
largely, holding easily her position as the second
cotton port Of this country. The figures, how
ever, afford food for reflection and 1t would
| seem from the movements OF cotton in the last
few seasons that New Orleans, Savannah and
Galveston will always be the great shipping
ports II not for the whole cotton crop, at least
| for the great bulk of it. because they have the
advantage of being nearest the cotton fields,
and with their great facilities for handling large
shipments there is apparently nothing in the
regular order of trade to divert cotton from
them
In the local market the large receipts moved
| of very rapidly, and there was no glut There
was hardly a day that the factor did not find his
tables pretty we'll cleaned up. and the sales were
| at all times on an average at fair prices. This
state Of Affairs was aided very much by the
ship brokers, who, contrary to their usual short
sighted policy, had at all times ample freight
room TO offer, for the reason that they had en-
gagged sufficient supply of vessels to meet the
regular requirements of trade, and in this they
displayed good business sense. This country
sold very largely ahead 10 the spring and sum
mer, and orders had to be filled. This caused
the extraordinarily good demand through the
first four months OF the season. The season
was remarkable for the few complaints against
the railroads. Indeed, there very little cause
for complaint. as the railroad facilities
were at all times good and the railroad officials
seemed willing and anxious to DO al that lay
in their power to assist the trade and bring all
the cotton they could 10 Savannah, that is, by
breaking up abuses which we're complained of
in other seasons Tn cir fac lities for handling
and their prompt deliveries sup assed all their
I1ra nd af a.sa1
ton all around. They have reached out into
new territory, and for the coming season have
furnished better terminal facilities than are now
enjoyed by any other port in the south. Their
cessions to texporters In the matter of free on
boardcotton are appreciated and are higlly bene-
fetal to the port. They not only grant them free
Warehouse room. but allow them the privilege
of turning down cotton and examining and re-
weighing it, thereby preventing troubles that
usually arise from loss in weight, which is one
OF the grounds for reclamation. They have
also extended the same privileges to the factors.
which will be of incalculable benefit this sea-
son in the handling of cotton.
The receipts here throughout the season
graded high, and there was very little differ
ence between the cotton here and that of the
gulf cottons It was found to be satisfactory
| TO spinners, there was very little waste in its
manufacture, and it was almost entirely free
from sand. The local factors receipts we're
slightly larger than those of the previous year,
aud, what was better, the receipts held up re-
markably well throughout the season. Along
with the good demand the factors encountered
no difficulties TO speak OF in the way of bank
ing up stocks. In their collections of advances
| they were remarkably successful, and losses
were very trifiing. They have reason to con-
lofA box
| remunerative business year. The season opened
with verylight supplies in sight, both in Eur ope
and America, and while the receipts were large
and steady, the demand from spinners showed
| that consumption kept pace with the
heavy supplies for the greater portion of
| the year. The demand of the domestic mills
| was smaller than that of the previous season,
which made the overland movement lighter,
but the demand from England and the CONT
nent was very heavy. There was always good
| supply of money except in December, when
there was slight stringency, although the
| planters were not cramped for money, having
| been assisted very much by the returns of the
| previous crops. The farmers alliance has
| afforded planters a very fine school for their
education in the matter of economy and 10 the
care of their obligations. Indeed, the alliance
has not injured the merchant any. On the con
| trary. between them they have worked very
harmoniously and smoothly. The middle
men and interior storekespers all did very well,
as they we're able to buy cottons satisfactorily
and with few chances of loss as is always the
case when good crop is produced, because
there is no trouble in grading the cotton, and
for the same reason, buying in the interior was
carried on to great extent, especially on &C
count of free on board contracts.
With the exporters there never was a season
in which q better opportunity was afforded
them to make money, that is, providing they
confined themselves TO legitimate business,
The season opened with very short stocks, both
in England aud the continent. Liverpool was
| in the throes of Spectator SteenStrand's cor
ner, which finally eliminated in October aud
proved to be somewhat of fiasco, which was
brought about by the mills working on short
time the mill employees uniting with the manu-
facturers, and Savannah coming to the rescue
by early September deliveries of cargoes. which
enabled the short interests to liquidate late in
September. Exporters we're assisted very much
in the first part of the season by
the liberality of spinners on the other
side. and by the quantity and quality
| of their orders, as we'll as by prices The only
complaint the exporters have had TO make is
that the seasons business was covered in too
short time, the greater part of which was