The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-03-17

Earep. h". sssd...:.. ,....... 2 ,2s7.e2d e7e.
lsS9-90-7. 307, ,2l8 d G ct 3
the average price Of n.53 @
brought t..................... S73, 16l 1881
1S90-9l-S,G52,597 d G at
the average price of 9.O3
brought."........ ....-....... 429 ,I92,O4I
1S9l-92-9,0S5: :379 b & at
the average price Of $50
broueht........ ..............- 39l ,424, ,7l5.
"a little over seven million bales in
l8S9-9l sold for nearly q, much as q crop
Of nine million bales in 1912, and, but
for the enormous over production during
the past two years, the planters would have
received highly remuuerative prices last
year.
Tho South produced last year about so
per cent. Of tho commercial cotton of the
world. and ii has been in universal use by
nearly all the inhabitants of the globe.
The Southern planters are in position today
TO make the price Of their great product
highly remunerative TO themselves and
without disadvantage to any one-alse~r
fact, there il hasaaA4.yvx my dealer in cotton or
COTTON goods, or any mill throughout the
United states, who would not prefer that
cotton should sell ut much higher prices,
for, should it do 60, all kinds of busiues ss,
particularly in the South, would be quick
ened and rendered more profitable while at
the same lime il is fact that, should rea-
sonable advance in cotton occur, it would
scarcely be felt by the consumers who wear
cotton goods.
"The foregoing arc simple facts--they
have been stated repeatedly by us and by
other commercial men everywhere. Now,
why is it that low pricos for Gotten prevail,
and distress and embarrassment Of so many
planters is so pronounce The solution of
this question is easy. The planters stake
all they have on cotton, over produce il,
and do not diversity their crops sufficiently.
Cotton, under these circumstances, goes
down, and the planters pay out annually
millions Of dollars for mules, pork, hay,
corn and other necessaries which can be
readily produced much cheaper on the
plantation than they can be bought else
where.
"Why will not the planters stop for day,
or week, If necessary, and think over q
business proposition like this 4?
"Tbe whsle financial welfare of the South
depends upon cotton. If the planter can
get nearly as much money for the produc-
tion Of n crop of 7,5O0, COO as be can for one
Of 100000 bales, why should he expend SO
much time and labor to produce the great cr
quantity? Why will he produc 500 bales of
cotton, worth $4,000. when it cost him
II
day laboror he might make some money and
keep out Of debt but just SO long as he
overproduces cotton he will be kept contin-
ually in debt, and the interest alone upon
his Indebtedness will sooner or later ruin
him.
''lt would be far better 10 decrease cot
ton crop of average size 100000 bales
than to Increase it SOC, 900 bales.
Tho statement of such facts caunot be
questioned. At the same time it is natural
for farmers to ask how the present situation
can be changed for the better? In answer
to this question we would cay: Abandon for
ever the one crop idea-cotton. Adopt new
methods and new things. The planters
present mode of doing business is wrong
experience shows it. Change it Immediately.
Organize farmers club associations and
meetings and discuss csttou, particularly
before the planting time. Keep your organ
izations entirely free from politics do not
rely upon the Government to grant you
assistance. If it gives you aid, it must
grant every other citizen assistance. The
people support the Government, but the
Government does not support the people.
Avoid all schsmes that politicians get up to
catch votes. Rely upon your own opinions
and do not run after impracticablo ideas.
Consult your congressman or write letters to
them urging that the functions of the Agri.
cultural Department at Washington be en-.
larged, and that liberal appropriations be
made for this purpose, in order to enable
that department to keep the planters fire.
quently and fully advised about the produc-
ton and consumption of cotton. Have the
Governors of your States impress upon
the Legislatures the necessity of increasing
the scope Of the State Agricultural Depart
ment, and have distributed to every county,
town, precinct and neighborhood information
touching The future prospects for supply
and demand for cotton. With proper energy
and vim, these departments could distribute
information to every planter in the South,
which would enable him to know, in some
degree, what the requirements of the world
would likely to be the next year.
@'We are aware that no such plan as This
would absolutely control the amount of cot
ton produced. 1t might influence the omount
that was planted. In any event, it would be
step 10 the right direction, for it would
lessen the planters risk. 1t might be said
that ten men in the neighborhool would
reduce their acreage Of cotton, while two
others might iocrease their acreage, but this
would not last long, for any man who would
endeavor TO seek gain at the expense of the
C Immunity would soon be frowned down.
ole.s some change is nado in the present
practice the Southern planter cannot pros.
rer. If a radical change is made, the future
is bright, full Of premise and prosperity,
tor when cotton becomes a remunerative
article to the planter oil his obligations can
bc met promptly. He will be speedily
relieved from debt, and his lands will rapidly
in value. His credit will be
and all difficulties that sur
round him today will be removed. God has
given the South virtually monopoly of the
production Of cotton, and there is no reason
why this great article should net yield
handsome returns to the planters Of The
South who work so hard to produce it.
Immediate consideration of this subject is
important, fer it really involves the prosper
ity Of our common country"
yours truly,
LATHAM, ALEXANDER s. CO."
HERE 1T Is hCAIN-The RoDfjst ToUri.r