The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-03-31
Cotton Mills in the South.

TO the Editor of the NcCS and Courier:
In your editorial, "Cotton Mills in the
South-A Northern View," in your edi-
ton of the 10th instant, you close your
article alluding to Northern mills being
built South, "rhey will be built some
where; we should see to it that they are
built here" There are three cotton mills
now in operation in the Southern States
that are branches Of Northern corpora
tions. There are four more that since
McKinley's election are going to be built
in the South; none of these have been or
will be built in South Carolina. The value
of our water powers is recognized and the
fine climate and conditions in upper
South Carolina are admitted, and yet two
of these mills have been built in Georgia
and one in Alabama, and of the four to be
built this spring three will be in Alabama
and one in Georgia. The reason why
South Carolina is avoided is simply be-
cause of the general radical tendency of
our legislation and the hostility manifest
ed to cotton mills and other corporations.
Looking back at the past session Of our
Legislature you see labor bills introduced
which would bear harshly on all cotton
mills; you see absurd usury laws pro-
posed; you see special tax on insurance
companies which will increase the cost OF
insurance in South Carolina to those who
have to buy insurance; you see an income
tax passed, and you see general license
law proposed.
Within the past ten days I have been
visited by two parties Of Northern mill
owners who have decided to build South,
in addition to their already large mills in
Northern States. was asked questions
about our laws and the general trend of
legislation, and to one party that mem
toned the income tax, he said: "Well
that settles it with me. was thinking
very seriously Of locating in upper South
Carolina, but shall 20 to Alabama and
take cheap coal as against free water"
Some three years ago one of these mill
corporations who have already built
South had their solicitors compile the
laws of several States affecting corpora
tions, with view TO decide what State in
the South they would 90 to. One of the
States they were advised not to enter was
South Carolina
York and on the train became acquaint-
ed with gentleman who is a director in
a financial institution in New York that
has over two hundred millions of assets.
He was explaining the difficulty in lend
ing their money 80 as to make per cent
net interest, and in reply to my question,
why he did not seek some Southern con-
nections, he said: "NNhy, my dear sir, we
could not lend dollar in your State. We
are afraid of reputation and hostility to
foreign lenders of money. Any State
that has an income tax and dispensary
law, whose legislation is very closely
watched by outsiders, and which is so
radical and revolutionary in their ten
dencies, alarms all lenders" He admit
ted my position was right that we did
want more money per capita, but we did
want some recognition Of our assets as
collaterals for loans, but he said the credit
of all borrowers of money in our State
was injured by the actions of our politi-
clans
If there is going to be any more cotton
mills built in South Carolina our people
will have to build them for themselves,
as the cotton machinery makers who
stock in the past have agreed not to do so
these Northern mills, moving South.
local mills. They reap all the advantages
of our Southern location, and they reap
the advantages of the Northern manufac-
turers in using their valuable we'll known
brands, and having the. long business
experience and connections that their old
corporations North have, and they have
the free use of cheap money which their
credit and standing in Northern money
centres would give them. The Southern
people would gain nothing by these
Northern mills, except employment for
their people and any little rise in real es
tate caused by the new mills,
Will South Carolina continue to sgitate
and pass such radical laws az the income
tax, the dispensary law and the general
license bill, which is making our State
by-word in the commercial markets of
the country, and putting our citizens at
such disadvantage with our neighbors?
MANUFACTURER.