The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-20
Neelectina rheir opnortunltr.

/ NeSleCtinE LOeT opportunity.
The southern part OF the alliance never
had better opportunity to do the cotton
I producers great and lasting service than
I the one that presents itself ct this time The
price OF cotton has declined until Il does NOT
afford the producers q profit. It is ad-
mitted by every fsir-minded person that
the cause Of the decline Is overproduction.
| The great markets Of the world are choked
with cotton The supply is greater than
the demand. Il wss greater than
the demand last year, and 8 large
amount was carried over to this year.
Notwithstanding the fact that more cotton
was produced last year than was needed.
there was no reduction Of the
acreage this year. II is evident
that unless measures are taken to i'm
press the cotton producers with the folly of
producing so much cotton there will be no
reduction in the acreage next year. The
surplus stock win steadily increase, the
price will fan still further and the cotton
producers will be over whelmed with debts
and finally ruined
The alliance should begin a vigorous
campaign OF education. 1t has the organ
ixatlon and the means TO do this 1t can
reach each cotton producer, and, il it
works earnestly and vigorously, can hardly
fail to convince him that property depends
upon the production of less cotton and
more grain, fruits, vegetables aud stock.
The alliance has taken some steps to
create q sentiment in favor Of reducing the
production OF cotton, but what it has done
has made very little or no impression. The
holding Of conventions and passing resolu-
lions are well enough, but something more
Is needed. Let every alliance lecturer be
instructed to present, as forcibly as he can,
in all parts of his territory, the disastrous
consequences of producing an oversupply
OF cotton. Let every subalhance hold
meetings and invite well-informsd speakers
to address them on the necessity of reduc-
ing the cotton acreage. Let the matter be
| agttAted just as q political question Is. In
this way, perhaps, the cotton producers can
be induced 10 pursue a course that will
\ enable them to escape the ruin with which
| they are now threatened.
| At present there Is q widespread belief
| among the cotton producers that specu-
lators have brought about the present low
| price Of cotton. Some Of their organs tell
| them that such is the case. They assert
that the spectators are forcing down the
price snd buying the cotton with the view
| OF putting up the price when the crop is
all marketed, thus making vast fortunes.
Only recently the charge was made that
1 SPECTATORS IN New Orleans and New York
| had combined to do this.
1t must be apparent shat there is not
much foundation for assertions and charges
Of this sort. Every cotton factor is carry
| ing bigger load than he cares to and is
hoping for better market. Every cotton
| exporter is anxious for rise in the price Of
| cotton because he can do very little bust
| ness when the market is dull and falling.
The feeling among all who have anything
to do with the handling of cotton is In favor
OF high price and a booming market. but
nothing can be done to improve the situa-
ton In the face Of the heavy receipts
The spectators are not responsible for
the present low prIce Of cotton. The cotton
producers are. The have overloaded the
market, and they Will overload it next sea-
son If vigorous steps are not taken to con-
vince them Of the folly Of doing SO. This Is
the alliance opportunity 10 render the south
a service of inoalculable value. Let ii con-
vince the cotton producers of the necessity
for reducing the cotton acreage.