The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-20
COTTON MEN EXULTANT.
THE EXCHANGE CELEBRATES THE
MIILION-BALE RECORD.


Event - Congressman Lester Con-
gratul ties Savannah Up9n Passing
the Million Mark-Gen. Alexander's
and Col Gordon's Predictions for
the Future-A Two Million Bale Cele-
bration Not Far Distant-Cspt. Ger
ter on the Harbor's Improvement
Judge Falligants Prophecy - Con-
eratuIations From Sister Exchanges.
The Million Mark in Naval Stores.
The cotton exchange celebrated the mill
ion-bale record yesterday with great
eclat
Twelve o'clock was the hour set for the
celebration. At that hour the floor Of the
exchange was crowded with the members
and their friends. Everybody was happy,
and none made IAN attempt to hide his
feelings.
Four tables were ranged on each side Of
the exchange laden with lunch and wine.
A feature of the lunch was little sand
witches made in the shape Of compressed
bales Of cotton. The idea originated with
Mr. Clavius Phillips, and he was the recipi-
ent Of many congratulations on the skill he
displayed.
After the lunch, Vice President j. Flor
Rnce Minis spoke briefly to the effect that as
Savannah had passed the million-bale mark
in cotton receipts the members had been
called together to celebrate in a becoming
manner that very important era in the
city's history. He proposed toast in honor
of the occasion, which was drunk amid
great applause.
Cobb's orchestra occupied the balcony
overlooking the exchange floor. and at the
conclusion of Mr.. Minis remarks played
''Dixie," after which there were loud calls
for Congressman Lester.
COL LEsTER's CONGRATULATIONS.
Col. Lester congratulated the members Of
the exchange and Savannah upon the
event which was being celebrated. THE re-
ceipt Of a million bales, u he said, lis some
thing which should not only stir the pride Of
every Savannahiau but of every Georgian
as well. 1t tells the world that Georgia is a
great commercial state, and bespeaks for a
great people continued prosperity and
progress"
Col Lester alluded to the necessity of
having a greater depth Of water in the
harbor. so as to further increase the city's
prosperity and bring more ships here.
de promised to continue the work Of i'm
pressing upon congress Savannah's needs
and endeavoring TO secure appropriations
commensurate with its Importance.
GEN. ALExANDER's RESPONSE.
oous EAOA6AncAg DIooiOcub Va Tue O6ubEhl
railroad, was the next speaker. The receipt
OF a million bales, he said, results from Sa-
vannah's natural location and great COM
mercial advantages. Gen. Alexander re-
ferred to the lease Of the Central by the
Georgia Pacific in an of-hand manner. He
said the arrangements now being made will
enable the Central alone to bring to Savan-
nah within the next two years 1 200 600
bales of cotton. He believed that Savannah
would have passed the million mark long
ago If her railroads had oountenanced the
practices Of rival ports.
A GREAT FUTURE AHEAD.
"With the consolidation of railroads"
he said, Savannah has everything to hope
for and nothing to fear. When the arrange
ments now pending are completed freight
from Portland, Ore, to New York will pass
through this city, and new territory of
great Importance and vast extent will
become tributary to the port of Savannah"
There is one suggestion. con tinued Gen.
Alexander. (which | would like to throw
out to the members of this exchange, and
that is to educate buyers abroad to class
cotton according to the state in which
1t is grown, and not from the port from
which it is shipped. A bale OF cotton
shipped from New Orleans brings Il cent
more than that shipped from Savannah,
but there is no reason why such state of
affairs should exist. Change the classified
increase accordingly
A SPEECH FULL OF FACTS.
Col. Gordon made an interesting speech,
full of solid facts. He began by comparing
the wonderful growth of Savannah with
that of Charleston, which had long lead
before the war. "Prior to the war; Col.
Gordon said, Savannah was completely
envlroned by transportation lines leading
into Charleston. The trade OF Florida and
the traffic of North and Middle Georgia
went through or around Savannah to
Charleston. 1t looked to be a Utopian
dream to think of this city ever becoming
the greatest port of the South Atlantic
coast
After the war, though, Savannah's bus
mess men arose phoenix like from its raw
ages, let the dead past bury the dead,
buckled on their armor and went to work
with a renewed energy TO build up their
city. by their enterprise new railroads
sprang up in the place of those destroyed,
business was pushed in every direction,
freights were reduced aud new industries
developed. We have the results of that
energy before us to-day. The freight on a
bale of cotton used to be $40 from Augusta
and $50 from Doctortown to Savannah
Now it is only a dollar or two, and the
Farmers are saved millions of dollars
yearly.
SAVANNAH NEVER DOWNS.
said, have failed to crush Savannah's en-
terprising spirit In 1876, during the dire
days of the yellow fever epidemic, the bust
ness men of Savannah kept up the movement
of cotton steadily and saved the trade to the
city. Much OF the credit for this state of
affairs is due TO the late President Wadley
of the Central, who by his sagacity kept
the outward movement up to the receipts
here
''The depth of water in the harbor has
been increased from fourteen to twenty feet
and freights have been reduced from three
fourths of penny to one-fourth on foreign
going cotton, which is saving of IS Der
BALE This means the saving of $1,000. 600
on 1000, 900 bales, four times as much as the
total appropriations for the harbor since the
war. Congressman Lester deserves praise
for his efforts in increasing the appropria-
ton, but we want a twenty-six-
foot channel, and it is 60
the interest Of the whole people of the state
to aid in securing it."
In concluding his speech Col. Gordon
urged upon the members of the cotton ex-
change and the citizens of Savannah to be
true to themselves and nothing will fail
them which they undertake.
TWO MILLION BALES COMING.
G. n Oyvans traffic nanaCar OF tha O.