The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-01-11

~ iOoi Wig "SOnY OF ruined values
The South will always feel it les
than other sections, because W
have climate and soil which con
splre more readily than thoss Q
any other section, when properl,
utilized, to respond to the demand
OF hungry nature. Notwithstand
ing the loud wall that goes up from
some localities, and from some O
our people who always complain
tLoA is no danger Of starvation O
want, Or even hunger among th,
lmmeasurablc and illimitable re
sources at our command, waiting
to De availed Of, to accomplish
which only moderate labor is re-
quired. The cotton growers rea,
estate or land is his stock in trade
and valuable only as it yields a
net revenue above the cost Of cult
walton. 1t IS an assured and con.
fessad fact that the general crop OF
the South has for years been made
on a scale OF extravaganza beyond
the range of reason and common
sense; the development Of our sub
lime, but misguided faith in cotton
as king, evidenced by our expert
nnce that when cotton was worth
fifteen cents per pound the planter
bought everything he consumed,
from steam engine to a ham
string, for which cotton was called
on to pay, unaided by any other
domestic economies which are at
hand TO the meat and bread pro-
ducer.
As cotton declined in price, the
necessity of home production
forced itself upon our conviction,
until now, with our four cent cot
ton, 1t is freely and fully conceded
that he who would eat must pro-
vide the wherewithall at home.
with his own hand and under his
own eye. Cotton has lost its crown:
cotton has lost it's credit. The fac
tor in our great marts who once
sought to lend almost without lin
1t tor It's production, and grew fat
handling 1.-THE BANKER who.back-
ed the factor as far as his deposit
account sSpuld ENABLE hisa, the
country merchant with his hun
dred per cent, who hoped to grow
rich in single year by advancing
to his benighted cotton grower Gus
toner and whom a cash dealer was
a crying nuisance, and the profess
sions and trades have all lost their
faith IN cotton, leaving scarcely a
vestage of hope to stimulate exer.
ton when cotton is the only prom
lsed reward.
1t can now be safely stated that
cotton growing will be no longer
basis Of credit to the capitalists.
Capital will and should sesk's. 's.other
and safer fields of Investment. In
.erest and credit alone will soon
destroy the farmer. The waning
-ortunes OF cotton, its unproG table
production for years have led to
much discussion and theorizing
among its votaries. The cheap
ness of production and the sNs-
aiming of prices have been the
burden of our song all the while.
Causes of and remedies for these
wills have been sought in every di-
'echon. Speculation and the mon
y power have been cursed |
oudly for bearing prices. Over
production in turn is proclaimed
IS the great promoter of low prices
md generous and fructifing sea.
on is looked upon as an ill-omen
hat bears devastation and ruin on
he wing. This all-prevailing de-
'ression in cotton growing regions
as led to the suggestion of uni
ersal cotton growers cooperative
ssociation and combine to control
ne market and deal out the sup
ly to manufacturers on such terms
s will guarantee profit to the
roducer regardless of the quantity
That the farmers and planters
ould be thus brought into unifca-
OH is as visionary and chimerical
it Is impossible. Conditions
I'D circumstances are too diverse;
terests of different individuals |
70 varied. They are too numer S
is, and the cotton-belt covers too t
rye territory, to say nothing of /