The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-06-24
THE COTTON MILL.
IFS Beneficial Effects Already Felt by
Our PeOpIe-Some Reply to Pre-

Last wear the Abbevile Cotton Mill paid
out several thousand dollars for vacant or
hitherto Improbable lands, and later on tney
invested large sums IN orlcSs: E.sepiy sopio uo''"f
of these sums was paid to home people.
In March OF this year the direct0fS inyiteu
bids for the erection OF the MIL puIiiluing.
The lowest bidder who was able or willlng 10
put up the proper assurances UT pieuses WIS
Col J. w. eagle of GreenVllIe. 49,
| For some two or three months the orlck.
makers and the contractors nave oeen AT
work, paying out to hands T perhaps an aver
noid ont TO mechanics and laborers has been
some help 10 all of us. While IT Ia true that
some OF the mechanics have come from a
distance vet we believe that none of our
mechanics have been turned away, II they
were clbable and willing to work for the
length of time and at the price which was
paid to others for the same class of work.
Those who cannot afford to work at the
prices ut which their fellow craftsmen work
have no reason 10 complain, especially when
they find more desirable or more profitable
employment elsewhere.
We are under the impression that an effort
has been made TO prejudice the mechanics
and others against the mill because men
have come from a distance TO find employ
ment in its construction while our own peo-
pie either did not care to work under lne
rules or were unwilling to give their services
at the rate at which others were being paid.
All things being equal 1t Is well 10 give give
home-folk the preference, ana the directors
ed the contract for building the factory on
The principles which are approved oy tne
best business methods and In doing as tney
acted as other intelligent conscientious men
would have done. TO show that the directors
of the factory are not alone in giving con-
tract TO a citizen of another community IL
would be only necessary to call attention 70 Il
few facts:
First-The Railroads, Instead of giving em.
ployment to AbDeVille men, sent agents from
elsewhere to serve this community. The
Railroad companies are good business men,
and they sent US good agents.
Second-In our stores we can find many
clerks or book-keepers that came from other
places than this, and we believe our mer-
chants are good business men and patriotic
citizens.
Third-The oil mill gives place to book.
keeper and to business manager, both or
whom came here to I'LL places. while
there can be but little DOUBT, that AboeViiIe ~
men would have been glad TO have had the
places. The President or the oil mill is one
Of the most enterprising and as well as one OF
The most public spirited citizens In the town.
In the practical affairs of life he takes an &C.
live and successful hand at whatever comes
along. II ne can employ others than citizens
Of the town, why may not the cotton mill
directors award their contract TO the mau
who will do the work on The most advantage
Fourth-The school trustees send away even
TO the great State OF Florida for PrinGlpal
aud other teachers IN the high school. Why
may not the cotton mill directors send TO
Greeuyil in our own State, for an eX.
perenced mill builder?
Fifth-The Churches-the churches of the
true and living God-ipstead Of employing our
own men to administer the bread or lie 10
lamiShing souls, send off to get preachers 10
explain 10 us the plan of salvation and TO lm'
press upon us the christian truths as eXem-
plitied in the life OF our saviour. II lnls S ID
SOiwhy should the cotton mill directors not
20 abroad to employ man who is eX'
perienced in the art Of mill building?