The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1892-01-22
coTTon.

he Present Situation of the Southern
Planters Discussed by st. Louis News
pa 7er--Kenry Clcsys, n New York F1nah-
cicr, Throws i'm "a Block of Wisdom Gra-
tuitousIy.
Sr. LOUIS, jan 15-The Globe-Demo-
crat, in an article headed ''The Over
production of Cotton" says:
The present situation OF the southern plaat'
ers is an anomalous and dlscouraging one. Bur-
ing the past year they produced the largest cot
ton crop on record, and that ought to mean un-
usual prosperity. AS a matter of fact, how
ever, they are not so well off as they would be II
the crop had been materially smaller. They
find themselves burdcned with az excess CT
their leading staple The supply Is far greater
than the demand, and the price has accordingly
fallen to figure that puts profit out of the
question. Cotton is no longer kbJg IN the old
sense of controlling the market snd debating
sure and lucrative returns. When slavery ex-
listed the crop never exceeded 100000 bales.
whereas it now reaches S,500OO0 bales, and the
world has no use for more than 900 bales at
the highest estimate. The fact that the yield
has doubled under freq labor Is significant by
the way, and may fairly be SAID TO prove that
the colured element does better service now
than 1t did in it's former condition. But the
point of chief interest and importance is the
question of devising way to increase the price
of an article that has ceased To pay the pro-
ducer, and thus TO save a large f.yinber of citi4
zens from practical bankruptcy. The problem
Is urgent and vital, and the whole country is in
terested in its speedy and satisfat tory solution
There is one thing certain, and that is that
the area of cotton must be reduced It Is folly
for the south to go On raising mora than can be
consumed, as the price will remain at the pres
ent low figure, or fall still lowef under such
circumstances. The recent convention of plant
ers ut Memphis earnestly recommended judi
steps should be taken to accomplish that result.
The besetting southern partiality for the culti-
vation of this one staple, to the exclusion of
others which can be successfully gown in that
section viii have to be modif I'd in obe-
dience to circumstances that are other
wise beyond control. Corn, wheat,
oats and hay are all adapted more
or less to the soil and climate Of the south, and
they should be largely substituted for cotton.
In that way the price of the latter product can
be gradually increased, and at the same time
new sources of profit can he secured. The
great difficulty lies in persuading the people to
make the change in a general manneT, as given
localities and individuals will insist upon plant
ing as much as ever with view to protiting by
the decreased crop in other places. The
situation calls for Cooperation in the best
meaning OF the term. 1t is practically, by
common consent, to lessen the acIpRge in
such degree and according to such plan
that is what needs to be done as soon as poSsi-
BILE. The demand for relief is so distinct and SO
pressing that there can be no excuse fer delay
or for pulling at cross purposes. If the south is
to be prosperous she must diversity her prod
| ucts, not at some remote and indefinite time
but immediately. With cotton selling at less
than the cost Of raising it. because the yield is
| 100000 bales more than the consumption she
has no alternative but that of promptly d5vot-
ing considerable share of her cotton lanls tc
other forms of cultivation.