Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-29
PLANT LESS COTTON.
REDUCE THE ACREAGE AND
PRICES WILL BE BETTER.
The Alliance Asked to Consider the Matter
and Act Promptly for 1S92-An Open
Letter to Southern Farmers.
To the Southern Farmers.

Pardon US for addressing you. Our apol
ogy is our profound solicitude for your well
fare. Not only the merchants are inter-
eSted in your success, but every class of
people, from the banker to the fruit-dealer
must confess that the success and prosper
ity of our country depend on its agricul
tural prosperity.
When our fields yield their increase ev-
erything has a basis of life and success.
In reality, vocations do not conflict; each
depends on the other, and the farmer
should occupy his proper place-king of the
financial world. He should be the most in
dependent man in the world. But can we
look at the mortgage on the farms and the
condition OF the farmer without asking,
What is the matter with our farmers?
Many of our farmers are unable TO meet
their debts. They have hoped against hope.
No one, with any degree of truth, can say
this condition has been brought about by
lack of energy. No class of people work
harder, use as much economy and have less.
The farmers economy often amounts to
sacrifice, that he may keep his head above
water. Their children in many instances
are kept from the public schools in order TO
help lift the nightmare" of debt. Yet, Tor
all this toiling, planning, economiZing. what
can the farmers show in return. What is
the TROUBLED Something is radically wrong.
Can we find a remedy2 Amid all the clouds
al
no hope for better days for the Southern
farmers! Can the desert place be made to
rejoice, We think there is q remedy. We
desire to emphasize what we regard as the
cause which has brought about such con-
dition. "i'he price of cotton is below the
cost of production" And this is the trou-
Bile Farmers may work and economic. and
like Tennysons ''brooklet''-go on forever;
but as long as they raise cotton when the
price is below the cost of production, there
will be stagnatiOn and agricultural death.
Cotton is said to be king If so, our king
has been very unkind to his subjects, for he
has not paid his subjects for their devotion
to his welfare.
The question presents itself-and it is the
question above all questions for the South
ern farmer: How can we raise the price Of
cotton to living basis.
The reason cotton is selling below the
cost of production is found in the fact that
the production in 1890 was greater than the
consumption. The world could not con-
sumo what was raised last year.
The remedy. we think, is to reduce pro-
duction by the reduction of acreage. Let
every farmer say that in 1892 we will plant
one-third less cotton than in 1891.
Let the farmers rallying cry for 1892 be
one-third less acreage in cotton and better
prices for same! The farmer will then
have time to change his meat market from
SutCdSO W HIS own pace duu HIS COTNcTlU
will be found at home instead of the West.
Let every farmer sign written contraSS
to plant. in 1892, one-third less acreage In
cotton than 1891. This plan. we are sure,
will give you time to raise other products
than cotton and move the price of cotton
from and cents to l0and II cents in 1892.
VIII not the Alliance utilize this sugges-
tion?. Let there be no delay in the agita-
ton. We are in earnest. Something must
be done.
Let every lodge call an early meeting and
require each member to sign a written con-
tract that he will plant one-third less acre
age in '92, and that each lodge appoint a
committee to visit each farm next spring
and see that the contract is kept, and when
parties fail to comply with the resolution,
let them be expelled as traitors to the farm
ing interests.
Let US ask the planters of the Mississippi
valley and Red river basin to join US in this
great movement to raise cotton SO that the
price will be above the cost of production.
We appeal to our fcllow-merchants to
turn none away because of this reduction of
acreage The farmers success is yours,
giving us life and enterprise
We speak for ourselves that under no
circumstances will we turn any one away
on account OF this reduction in acreage.
We ask our commission merchants IN New
Orleans, Galveston and other great cotton
cenJerS 10 nelp US 10 ASSIST the farmers IN
this movement and thereby raise the price
of cotton above the cost of production. We
believe they will.
Come, cheer up, eoH-worn farmers: we
believe there is better day for you. The
clouds of financial depression are already
parting and the light of hope can be seen.
With best wishes for your success and
the assurance that your prosperity will give
Us great pleasure, we are. yours very sim
cerely, W. S. HOWARD & Co.
Hazlehurst, Miss, Oct 90 1891.