The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-04-07


The amouGt OF co:tcn produced in
1895 Was 5 0S6 96i 400 pounds. The
imports Of cotton during The same
YEAR was - 332 O22 pounds. 1t Will
be seen tGat the per ceat OF imports ii
wheat was only ab2ut one third OF me
per cert Of imports n cotton. The
Mckinley bill OF 1890 gaze wheat
protection of 25 cents per bushel, and
the Wilson bill Of 1898 p per cent sd
valorem. Il IS hardy necessary for
me TO say that cotton IS ard has been
on the free list. While the inporta.
ton OF wheat does not seen to in
crease, the imports c. cotton are rGak
ing rapid strides.
While the bulk of wheat imoor!a
ton co-nss from Canada and British
Cclumois, no less than fifteen differ
ent countries are sendiag "a " cotton
to our shores. The Imports Of raw
cotton have increased from 1924 53l
pounds in 1887 to 81, $50, $50 pounds
in 1896. II is a mistake to assume that
all the cotton imported IS long staple.
Out Of the imports OF 1896 but As 574,
769 pounds came from Egypt, leaving
nearly twelve million pounds 10 be
sent from other sections. 1t IS sale to
infer ;nat all Of tAis IS not long staple
cotton. Jus: how mucl is short staple
have been unable to ascertain. Be
the amount what it will. it IS danger
signal that should not remain unno
ticed.
SOUTH ASKS JUSTICE ONLY.
Mr.. Speaker, the people Of the South
are entitled to this consideration.
They have the riSh. to demand equal
and exact justice with other secuons
at the hands Of Congress. It IS unfair,
unwise and Un-American ~ compel
them to bear more than their share OF
the burdens Of government. This i'm
portation of raw cotton strikes at the
very vitals OF the one great Industry
of the South. It is a standing menace
to the cotton planter which but few
seem to realize. Fifty Eve million
pounds Of cotton is not far from 12O,-
900 bales. This represents the product
of nearly, if not quite, 10000 average
farms. It also represents the income
OF more than 100000 OF the people OF
ny section. II the manufacturers OF
the East and the farmers OF the West
are to be protected against the pauper
labor of other countries, have not the
people OF the South a right to demand
a similar safeguard2 Is it fair to ask
the people OF the South to submit to
certain conditions which the East and
the West refuse to endure2 I have
made no distinction IN regard to the
different kinds OF cotton, since they
are all affected by these imports. II
by reason OF this duty long staple cot
ton should be excluded, much of the
land now used IN producing short sta
pie would be used IN producing the
long staple. This would lessen the
crop Of short staple and increase its
price. In this indirect manner the
grower OF short staple would be 5ene-
dted. It is assumed by some that these
duties on wheat, corn, oats, barley
and other products OF the North and
West does not increase their price.
# that be true, why are these duties
imposed2 Are such duties placed up.
on the statute books to deceive9 Are
they intended as bribes to the North
ern and Western farmers from the
cunning manufacturers OF New Eng
.and.
Mr.. Speaker if the duties upon agri
cultural products Of the North and
West should be eliminated from this.
bill 1t would be voted down by this
House. l am led to believe that the
disasters that overlook the wool grow
ers because Of the Wilson bill, which
made his product free raw material,
together with the promise OF q protec-
tive duty by the Republican psrty,
was one of the potent factors which
compassed the defeat of the Demo.
cratic party n the late election.
The wool grower Of the West IS rat.
uraiiy with US on the paramount issue
and the time is not far distant, when
he will repu6iate the miserable see
saw" sophistry that this bill discloses,
of legislating higher prices by tariff,
and forcing lower prices with a single
gold standard ;he will then unite with
the other producers OF raw material in
driving you from place and power. If
the agricultural products OF sae North
and West are to be favored by nation
al legislation. in the name Of justice
and fear dealing, let the agricultural
products of the South receive similar
consideration. Let the statute books
Of our country disclose a record OF
equality and reciprocity to all sections
and for all the people. The South IS
worthy OF this action at your hands.
It stands today as the most available
portion OF this great nation, where
capital and development can be made
profitable. 1t is rich IN resources, rich
in the variety OF its products, and pos
sesses the best labor II the world. It
seeks no advantages, and only asks
an equal chance with other sections
Of the country.
Mr.. McLaurins S speech was the event
OF the day in the House, because OF It's
able advocacy Of the doctrine OF pro.
tecting Southern raw materials" and
especially cotton. As the first Of the
new Democratic members Of the ways
and means committee. all Of whom
hold this doctrine, to address the
House. Mr.. McLaurin received espec-
ial attention, and many congratulations
not only On the argument ne made,
but also on the admirable way n
which he parried the interrog2tlons
with which it was attacked.
Agricultural Education.
TTEuSoS COLLEGE, March 30-Tne