The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-03-17
Shepperson's Sound Sense.
Words on Folly of Overpro-
duction of Cotton which
will FALL on Deaf Ears.

Augusta, Ga March Is The fol-
lowing letter. in reference to decreas-
ing the production of food supplies
is sent out for the information of cot
ton planters Coming from an expert
statistician GU the production and
consumption of cotton it emphasizes
the conclusions and justifes the action
taken by the American Cotton Grow
ers Protective association, which met
in convention in this city to day:
New York, March II, 1897.
To Hon. Patrick Walsh, Editor Chron.
icle
My Dear Sir: Though our present
cotton crop will probably not exceed
s, 500, 900 bales and the stocks in the
world s markets and mills at the end
of the season may be even below the
moderate figures at its commence
ment, the TACT remains that cotton is
half a cent a pound lower than
year ago The cotton goods trade
is exceedingly dull and prices at
about the lowest. Many American
mills are running on short time My
friend, Mr. Thos Ellison of Liver.
pool, thinks the European mills will
consume no more cotton the present
season than during last season, In
view of the injury to British trade
from the plague and famine in India.
it is, ii, my opinion, even doubtful If
last seasons consumption will be &C.
tually maintained In Bombay the
cotton mills are practically closed,
thus releasing more cotton for export
to Europe than had been estimated
| 1t is TO be added that the cotton crop
in India will be larger than the esti
mates of several months ago. Our
fcongress is about to meet IN extra
session to discuss q general revision
of the tariff and the uncertainty as to
the outcome of tie matter wilt de-
press every kind of business. The
session may be a long one and it is
by no means certain that any kind Of
a bill! will be passed, as the Repub-
licans do not control the senate. The
depression in business on account OF
uncertainty in regard 10 the tariff
would then continue into 1898
These are the conditions which con
front the southern farmers upon the
eve Of planting time this spring. II
seems 10 me they indicate with
clearness which admits ofno question
that every farmer should first make
provision for ample food and forage
crops before considering ssthe matter
of cotton aerage.
In July last when the crop pros
poets we're 80 favorable that many
people predicted yield of 10000,
900 bales the price for Novembe'
delivery declined to nearly 6 l
cents. while niddling cotton on the
spot sold at I l-16 cents Had no.
the severe drouth occurred the crol
might easily have reacned 9,ooU, ,Vol
to 100000 bales and this addition
,e the supply would probably have
resulted in lower prices by fully
1-2 cents per pound than are curren
to-day. l think middling cottol
would have sold at 5 l2 cents il
New York and this wonld have
been disastrous to southern
farmers and serious injury to tn
entire country owing to the disturb
ance in foreign exchanges whlcl
would have been caused by so grea
a shrikage in the value Of our cottol
exports. LIDO not believe that on
planter in thousand can prodnc
cotton so cbeaply that he can sell
on the basis of 5 l-2 cents poun
for middling in New York and ge
hack even the cos. of production, t