The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-28
DIMES COTTON FIELDS.
TIE AUGUSTA CONVENTION IN BE-
HALF OF SMALLER CROPS.

A just Equilibrium Between Land,
Labor, Capital and Management De-
clsred One Of the Primary Needs OF
the Cotton Industry-A Plan 70 Make
Land More Available as a Security
AUGUSTA, GA, Jan. 27.-The convention
Of cotton men and cotton planters called by
the Augusta exchange met here to-day.
The body was representative OF the cotton
interests Of this section and the convention
was well attended. The subject Of reduc-
ton Of the cotton acreage was fully dis
cussed and after debate the following reso-
luton was adopted.
WHEREAS, The enormous extension Of cotton
culture has so cheapened that product as TO
cause Widespread financial preston, seriously
affecting all branches of industry in the south
and the outlook reveals no limit to the con
stantiy increasing production and Improbable
ness OF TINS culture; and, inasmuch as this Is
largely due TO the absence of that mastership in
husoandry which alone prOhtably controls
ana directs labor and regulates production to
large areas, the titles TO which, being more or
less matter OF doubt, are ODtainable at nomi
nal values, and TO the assistance of which for
elgn and domestic capital Is and always will be-
r9ady 10 extend, often directly 70 labor itself
AID Tor the production Of staple commanding
spot cash In the markets of the world;
therefore, in order TO re-eStabllsh values in
the land; to restore a Just equilibrium between
the four primary and essential factors in the
production, TO wit: land, labor, capital and
management, two Of which, land and manage
ment, are now virtually without influence n
our agriculture; to induce the return OF in
tangible and Invisible personal property now
seeking refuge from taxation in speculation
and commercial ventures to visible and tangible
permanent improvements in agriculture, and
to restrain the vast waste and destruction of
our resources through unlimited cotton culture,
be ii
RESOLVED, That this convention memorabilia
the legislatures of the cotton states, recon-
mendlng the enactment OF such laws as they,
in their wisdom may think best calculated TO
accomplish the following results:
/. Inc adoption among US of the Australian or
s. me similar system for the regulation of land
Titles and transfers, SO as to render these evil
dences or property as secure and as easily and
cheaply transferable as state and corporate
bonds and st ocks now are.
:. To secure more effectually than at present
way belonging to land tfor example the right TO
own and power to dispose of It as secured by
law in Germany to the owners of lands for
their sale and use and disposal.
=. That all agricultural lands be classified and
q permanent valuation for taxation fixed upon
them as was done in England by an act of par
ilainent IN l692, and that thereafter for psriod
OF thirty-three years no improvements of agri-
cultural lands be subject to assessment and
taxation.
4. That to meet the present and prospective
depression of cotton, threatening bankruptcy,
moderate license tax be placed on cotton
acreage for period OF four years, lifting the
burden OF taxation from all other crops and re-
straining the Improbable culture OF cotton.
Ihls last section was amended so as to
suggest careful consideration by the leRiss
lature of the subject Of cotton tax.