The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-07

The Industrial Condition OF the South.
A number OF interviews with southern
congressman on the condition OF farmers in
the south, how they are affected by the
present tariff, and what legislation would be
most beneficial to them. and on the manu-
facture of cotton fabrics in the south, were
published a day or two ago in a western
paper. Among the number interviewed
were Representatives Oates and Herbert. OF
| Alabama, whose close relations with the
farming classes and accurate knowledge of
their needs and conditions enabled them to
speak with confidence on the subjects dis
! cussed.
Col. Oates thought that the planters of
| his district who were making the most
money were the ones who raised cotton as a
| surplus crop, and made their farms self
/ supporting in other particulars. The
| average cost of producing cotton, he said,
is from 81 to 9 cents a pound. 1t is paying
crop if it is produced at l0cents apound. The
present demand for cotton seed makes that
product the best future Of the crop. Cotton
raised at 10 cents pound nets at present
prices for both the cotton and the seed,
about SIS bale.
1t is proper in connection with the above
calculation to call attention to the fact that
it has reference only to the large plantations
which are cultivated by hired labor On
the small farms which, particularly in the
less fertile sections of the cotton region, are
far the most numerous, where the farm
work is done by the farmer and his family.
the farmer can expect not only the profit on
his crops but also pay for the labor ex-
pended in their cultivation.
In the opinion of Col. Oates the cotton
planters have Suffered by the depression of
other farming interests only sympathetic
cally, in the sense of a general condition.
He thought that all the cotton planters
needed in the way of federal legislation was
an increase of the circulating medium and a
reduction of the tariff on all articles which
they consume, but he thought state legisla-
ton against excessive charges of interest
would be beneficial. With reference to
cotton manufacturing in the south, Col.
Oates said that cotton goods could be manu-
| featured with profit in the south if the tariff
was wiped out. As it is, he added, facto-
ries are multiplying rapidly, particularly
in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.
Mr.. Herbert's views were about parallel
with those of Col. Oates. He favored di-
versiication of crops, and an abandonment
of the credit system as rapidly as it could
practically be DONE He called attenti on to
the fact that cotton goods were beingmauu-
featured in Admission, Ala, and Columbus,
Ga, in spite Of tax of about 40
per cent on factory machinery.
The views of these gentlemen,
/ who have direct aud intimate information
concerning the needs of the cotton-growing
section, are worth attention The demands
OF the southern farmers, and manufac-
turers, too, are in pleasing contrast to thosa
| of other sections, who claim that it is the
| duty of government to make their business
profitable, regardless of its adaptability or
inadaptability to surrounding circum-
stances. All that the southern farmer and
manufacturer ask is hands off, ana permis-
sion to trade where they can do so to the
best advantage. This is little enough, and
| should be accorded them.