The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-14
COTTON MANUFACTURES.

The admission in a recent number of the
Boston Journal that the South Is now Sup
plying much OF New England's former
market for the coarser cotton goods, and
that in cert ain lines OF this manufacture it
IL rapidly taking the lead" throws much
light upon the progress which is now being
made in cotton manufacture by the South
ern States. Hitherto these States have
been satisfied 10 connne themselves to
making the inferior kinds Of cotton goods,
but II 10 signal triumph TO have attained
20 such skill in the mapufacture OF these
kinds that New England 10 In very great
danger Of being entirely supplanted in this
special direction.
This fact IL not only very important az
far as II goes. but 1t distinctly foreshadows
what the South ~ capable of accomplishing
In the manufacture of the finest grades OF
cotton goods If 1t were TO turn its attention
20 these goods with the strictest regard for
all the conditions that must be complied
with TO assure success. What 10 the chief
obstacle In the way of the Southern people
becoming the active rivals OF NortherR
manufacturers OF the beet cotton goods!
II has long been anticipated that the South
would in time be 10 q position TO compete
successfully with the North In this respect,
but why should it not be In that position
today
The explanation most frequently given ~
that there il a dearth In the Southern States
Of the class Of highly sklllful artincers and
designers upon whom the successful manu-
fscture OF the highest grades Of cotton
goods largely depends. There Is no other
reason that oan be advanced, for the South
has the cotton at the very doors Of It's lac
tories, and the proftableness OF the manu-
facture OF the coarsest grades OF cotton In
the establishments now In operation has
diuused abroad a feeling Of general hope
ruiuess a. 10 the successful manufacture of
the higher grades II once undertaken.
Oaly the RICH, class OF workmen are
needed. These. II must be admitted, can
not now De found In the Southern States.
but simply because there IL in these States
at the present time no practical or theoreti-
cal school IN which the necessary iniorms-
ton can be acquired. In other words, there
10 hardly factory In the South in which
the most costly kinds OF cotton goods are
made, and there is no art institute in which
the special knowledge demanded 10 taught.
One OF the very strongest arguments that
eau be advanced In favor Of establishing u
great technical school In the South, q school
that will rival the famous school In Boston.
IL the urgent need which exists In this sec
tion for an institution In which just such
artiucers and designers as are required In
the manufacture OF the highest class OF cot
ton goods can be thoroughly equipped for
the work that will be done IN the factories
10 which this class Of goods will In time be
made.
With local supply Of such skillful wsrk-
men at baud. the manufacture OF such
Foods, which must now depend upon North
ern operatives, win gradually expand In
the South, until THE section shall become Us
formidable rival Of the North In this class
ef goods ~ It 10 now In the eoarser grades.
with the finest forms Of manufacture In
cotton srmly established 10 tbs Southern
States, this manufacture, even In the very