The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-10-09
THE HIGH PRICE OF COTTON.
The Financial Condition Of Our PeO.
pIe-The CrOps-The Splendid Out.
(ox RllR

ple-The CrOps-Ihe Spienu1u Out-
look for Business.
Not In the history of Abbeville has there
been q better outlook in the commercial
world than exists today. The crops were
made on the least possible debt, and the price
OF the staple Is about double as much as was
expected. A great many farmers nave al.
ready settled their lien or Indebtedness on
on the CROP and have about hall Inc crop
on hand TO dispose Of In any way that they
deem best or most advisa be. Many farmers
have old outstanding debts against them,
and will no doubt find this most favorable
time to settle them. Others have the ready
cash with which 10 buy property, or are reauy
TO spend 1t In pleasure as Inclination may
dictate.
Amid the general good luck and prosperity
that has come TO the farmers this year there
| is. however, one class who are 10 be sympa.
| thised with. We all know that there are
| number of good and honest men who have no
other or greater ambition than to pay their
debts-to make buckle and tongue meet at
the close Of the year. In the spring time they
arrange for such an amount OF advances 8 as
they and their merchant agree upon. Then
they SET 10 work 10 make the crop that Will
pay the debt, and when the debt is paid they
pleased and stands ready TO renew the bust
ness relations the following year with his
customer. ,,
| tion of sym pathetic people. They are In q
puzzling condition. They have paid their
debts, and have perhaps half their crop OF
cotton still on haud. The price being high,
they areat q loss TO know what 10 do with the
surplus. They do not care TO lay 1t by for
rainy day. If they keep 1t the money Will do
them no good, and If they spend 1t they can
scarcely decide what to buy. One poor fellow
last week was greatly bemoaning bis condi-
| tion, and he is only q sample of others; Q
had paid all his debts, and still had six or
eight bales Of cotton on hand. He did not
know " hat to do. If the price had been less
be might have been able 70 get along. The
price had fooled him, and he had made twice
as much cotton as he needed. If he had
known In the spring how the price was TO be
he could have worked less or spsnt more so as
to even up things.
The merchants OF Abbevile are greatly
pleased with their business this year. They
believe that every dollap OF credits this year
will be paid, and already thousands OF dol
lars have been paid on old debts. as a rule,
the farmers love to stand we'll with their mer.
chant or banker, and will pay to the last dol
lar. Many farmers have made good crops,
and the high price has given them that heart
and hope, which prompts them TO be anxious
TO pay up and be square with the world.
There has been no disposition on the part oi
any one to dodge his creditor or to spend any
money until after the current debts were
paid, and in the settlement of little debts the
peOple are not forgetful OF their subscription
accounts with the newspapers. They are be,
not be great while before the great majority
will have done the correct thing with the
printer. AS rule, the people Will pny for
do not like for their children and the post
master 10 know that they neglect this little
matter.
It will be recolected that in publicmeeting
last Winter resolutions were passed express
ing the determination TO plant less area 10
cotton. The great mass Of the people oi
course paid no attention to resolutions which
were so impracticabIe and contrary to their
best interest, but we believe there were few
exceptional cases where individuals either
wholly aba andoned the cotton crop or greatly
reduced the area. All such persons are To be
sympathised with. When these resolutions
were passed or adopted In the Court House
last Winter 1t will be recoIlected that this pa
per expressed opinions differing from the SEN
| timent therein contained.
| Aside from this reasonably fair crop which
has been produced and IL now being gathered,
and Without special reference to the satlsfac
tory prices which are being realized for cot
! ton, there Is another and greater blessing
! for which the country may be grateful, and
that Is In the increased harvest OF the food
supplies, not only in the field crops, but In
| the enlarged product Of the pasture. The
work OF enclosing pasture lands goes on every
year, and as a consequence much is saved IN
| the expense OF keeping plough animals while
! the profit in cattle Is better than ever before.
! Even the most unthrifty head of family is
beginning TO be convinced OF the value OF
milk cows and beef cattle.