The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-02-24
Urges Less Cotton Acreage.

Address of Hector D. Lane, President
American Cotton Growers Association OF
America, to cotton growers of America in
behalf of acreage:
ATHENS, Ala, Feb. II.
The time has arrived when the farmers
should be giving the prospects of the
coming crop the most serious considers
tion.
That the environments of the cotton
grower are becoming more inimical to
their interests each succeeding season, is
discouragingly apparent; that the en-
croachments upon our commercial rights
are becoming more piratical In their
character, is q fact that is not only appre-
ciated but condemned by all right-mind-
ed men who recognize the right and priv
ilege of legitimate commercial methods,
and the obluseness of the southern plant
or in failing to observe, and his subser-
viency in tamely submitting to these ills
that are being inflicted upon him by this
scourge in the hands Of this reckless class
of speculative gamblers, is encouraging
them in their pernicious methods, is rem
dering him pitiable in the eyes of the
world and subjecting him to the obloquy
of being both stupidity ignorant of his in
terests and ignominiously servile in his
forbearance.
AS is usual at this season, the cotton
shear" is again in evidence, hewing
down prices to the very lowest notch,
using all the sophistry that his cunning
can devise and all the artifces that he
can so ingeniously invent to hammer
values down to less than living prices,
they ere so thoroughly Indifferent to nor
NAL conditions and reck little Of the com.
mon veal. They are sowing the seed of
incipient communism in fields in which it
is an unknown and an unnatural growth.
They would exult over 4-cent cotton and
would contribute their active aid in
pressing it down to the lowest point, re-
gardless Of the sorrow and destitution
that would prevail throughout the South
under such conditions.
At this time last year they we're antici-
pating matters by industriously circula-
ting reports that it was the intention of
the Southern cotton grower to enormous
ly increase the acreage, which they glee-
fully stated would result in the produc-
ton of from 100000 to 12,000,000 bales.
Like fabrications are again being circula-
ted by them, with the hope of affecting
future values.
The Southern planter has the power to
checkmate these reckless despoilers of
our prosperity by manly and intelligent
action. The only remedy is to Eight the
devil with fire." meet organization with
organization.
Do not be led into the error that you
can combat this power without system
stic ORGANIZATION. You cannot deceive
the great firms that buy your product.
They have their emissaries in every town
and village; they are ever scrutinizing
your actions and know more in regard to
the general conditions than you can pos
sibly find out.
Destroy the annual surplus of cotton
that is the active cosdjutor Of the cotton
..bear." This can be accomplished by
increasing the food crops and consequent
ly diminishment of cotton acreage. You
will be better off with 100000 bale
crop selling at 10 cents, supplemented by
ample food crops, than with 10000, 900
bale crop selling at 5 cents.
The world spends about 1885, ,0O0,0
annually for American cotton. If we
make 7,OOO,0O bale crop they will run
after us for our product. If we make
100000 bale crop we fall over ourselves
to sell it to them.
The 100000 bale crop of '94 and '95
brought the South, in round numbers,
$2S9, 1000, 900. The 100000 bale crop OF
'93 and '94, brought, in round numbers,
$293 3,OOO,OOO.
The 100000 bale crop of '95 and '96
brought $292, 900, demonstrating the
fact that small crop brings more money,
irrespective of acreage used for food crops
and the labor and money expended on a
larger acreage.
Our only hope of protection lies in in
telligent concert of action. We should
l. ;oF oS Of nrDn oopSi-
tions, amount of production, etc., through
out the cotton area. Then, by system
attic and judicous marketing of our crops,
we can realize inestimable benefits that
never can be secured permanently other
wise.
It is not my desire to incite prejudice,
and deprecate the arraignment of one
class against another, nor would I wish
to "fre the Southern heart" to any ac-
ton beyond legitimate resistance to
commercial vandalism, but would that
I could inspire the spirit of the Southern
cotton grower, without reference to class
or color, to proper appreciation of the
unfair attitude that we are forced to occu-
py in the commercial world, and wish
devoutly that I could arouse you from
this lethargy which has grown upon you
80 insidiously that you can be likened to
the freezing man who lies down and be.
comes actually comfortable through dor
mant sensibilities, though even in the icy
grasp ofdeath.
Believing this to be of paramount i'm
portance 70 our material interests, and
that these questions in their most COM
prehensive form should be grave!y con-
sidered, I deem 1t advisable that the cot
ton growers meet in convention, that we
may adopt some rule Of action by which
we may be enabled to combat these agen-
cies that are daily growing more destruc-
tive to our interests.
Pursuant to the advice of my associates
and with the view Of meeting the greatest
number of farmers, three conventions
will be held, and, in accordance, l res
pectfully request that farmers of Texas
meet in convention in the city of Waco,
Monday, March s. The cotton growers
of the Mississippi valley will meet at
Memphis, Wednesday, March 10. Those
east Of Mississippi will meet at Augusta,
Ca, Monday, March Is.
respectfully request the cooperation
Of the Commissioners Of Agriculture of
the respective States, all agricultural So
cieties, and those interested directly or
indirectly in the growing of the South's
main staple.
I remain, Respectfully yours,
HECTOR n LANE President