The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-10
THE SOTTH'S ADTANT1GES.
What This Section Has to Offer to the
Settler.

In recent statistical article on the South
the Philadelphia Times made some state
ments that cannot fail to impress the public
mind at home and abroad. Ii started out with
the declaration that our labor, including 80
per cent. of the whole country, had, during
the last ten years. suffered only one strike to
every twelve i'll other sections of the country.
Our water power equals six times the COM
bined water and steam power in use for manu-
featuring purposes i'll the United States in
1850. This can bel utilized at an average of
4. 10 per horse power. against an average of
not less than il5 in the rest of the country
Mark. these two pOints-the most cOntented
labor and the cheapest motive power, the
chief factors in development of raw mate
rial.
With this preface, our contemporary then
proceeds to call attention TO a few significant
facts and figures. Our timber covers over 40
per cent. of the area Of the South. Is against
the IS per cent in other sections. IL is esti-
mated that we have still standng 23O. 900 900 900
feet Of yellow pine and other timber will
bring the sum total 10 500 600 900 900 feet, with
market value Of si0, 00O, 000, 900. The annual
cut Of this timber amounts 10 about tl00.-
O00, 900. and is rapidly increasing.
Take the matter Of iron next. In ten years
our production of pig iron has risen from 290,-
772 tons IN 1880 10 l.6s4663 in lS90-an in
crease of $50 per cent With this goes On in-
exhaustible supply Of cheap fuel in the shape
of excellent coal.
The increase Of our cotton crop TO 1000 900
bales emphasizes the fact that we have more
than twice the number Of cotton mills in oper-
alton than ten years ago. The number has
increased from lei IN 1880. consuming 1887
bales of cotton. 20 33i in 1885, consuming 545,-
$50 bales. and turning ont product of S54.-
l9s.379. These new mills are largely devoted
TO the finer grades of goods.
Southern railway mileage has more than
doubled in ten years, leaping from 1882 miles
in 1870 10 Al. lis in 1890. These railroads last
year earned S119s ,205.
Naturally all this railway building and
manufacturing enterprise have stimulated the
growth Of cities and towns. opening new mar
kets. and advancing the agricultural interest.
The increase in farms is rapid, and in ten
years it runs from s67 1871. 500. in value of
agricultural machinery, 10 $40. $50. 200; in
acreage, from H,679.145 to 1851 ,42s; in the
value Of products. from sell, 6aO, las to &sS4,-
707 600. and in the value Of live stock, from
$3.50, 066, s33 to 1856. 905. lOs.
In conclusion the Times remarks that il
could go on indefinitely showing our increase
in population, banking capital. the assessed
value Of property, and n hundred other inter-
esting particulars.
This brief but comprehensive outside view
". w so"ei ePe"hs iof i'Scii. feeioh vi
such fair promises is in no danger of being
made the victim Of an unfriendly sectional
policy. We have left all that behind us. and
so long as considerations of interest and cain
continue To sway mankind We may expect 10
see outsiders rushing here to build up. develop
and colonize. instead Of seeking to tear down,
disorganize and lay waste.
As we write these lines ii would be the
easiest thing in the world for any representa-
tive Southern business man to suddenly make
in the Middle States, or in the Northwest, and
organize colony to come South 70 start q
farming community, with town Of its own.
Nor would he find il any more difficult to
visit the crowded workmen and western cities
and induce capitalists and manufactures to
come here. The movement Is under full
headway, with such swing and impetus that
nothing can stopit