The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-11-15
The Peoples Forum
The Cotton Situation.

Editor Constitution-The subject which
is now most prominent in the minds or the
southern people is the price OF COTTON II
is lamentable fact that the prosperity
of this section is dependent upon the cot
ton planter securing a fair price for his
cotton; otherwise every other interest is
adversely affected and scent cotton means
depression to all commercial affairs ana
poverty to large majority of people. II IS
to the interest of the cotton manufacturers
throughout the world to buy their cotton
at the lowest possible price-at cents, II
they can-and what do they care II 1t re-
suits in the labor of the southern people
going for nothing? Unfortunately for the
cotton growers, Il system exists which
compels them to accept MhateVer may be
offered for their product, simply because
they owe the money for advances, and it
must be paid.
With an estimated crop of 100000 bales.
it is assumed that at least 5.OO0,oJO bales
will be sold for about . cents, which means
depression and stagnation, and should the
remainder of the crop be forced down TO
cents, it means actual want and suffering
to many. Combinations for the promo
ton of many of the largest interests IN
the country now exist, such as sugar, OIL,
tobacco and many others. Some of these
combinations are necessary ana commcnda-
bic. and should be encouraged, but grind
ing monopolies result in eXtortion, and
should be stamped out. Now, snail We let
the other 5000, 900 bales of cotton go out
Of the country to enrich foreigners ana
mpoYeriSh the southern people, or snail
We demand Z cents for it and store it in the
Warehouses until that price is paid? Ihr
world VIII require this cotton for its
actual wants, and should the producer, by
combination demand the Warehousemen 70
hold tor a basis of cents at the ports
no power on earth could keep
the gold of England. France and
Europe from coming to the south
of cotton who are able to hold at least
100000 bales until they obtain at least
7 cents for it, and this would mean $50, OJ0.-
600 for these growers. Are the
cotton producers forever to pay tribute TO
other combinations. and do nothing to
advance their own interests?
But the American manufacturers of cot
ton goods may say that such Il price for
raw cotton in the face of the limited de-
mand for the manufactured goods would
prevent them from running their mills eX-
cept at a loss. The only way to Obviate
this would he to form combination
among the manufacturers, estahl!shin g
prices for their goods which would af
ford a fair compensation for their labor
and reasonable profit for their goods.
Three million bales held in bonded
warehouses would be certain to advance
the price to reasonable figures, and adj
Vances could be made on the warehouse
receipts, if necessary, moreover ware
house receipt for 100 bales of cotton would
be safe as a bank account.
In regard to the next crop: Factors
Will not advance more than One-half of
what they advanced this year. and the
class of farmers who depend upon obtain
ing advances on cotton will be compelled
to forego that pleasure and raise hog and
hominy; the Liverpool and New York
operators Will have to base their calcula-
tons on 100000 crop for next year A
cotton combination among actual grow, rs
and holders may be all visionary and en-
tirely impracticable, but one thing we
know and experience every day, that is
low prices and commercial depression.
therefore, 4 southern cotton association
could do no harm by making the expert
mCnt. r SHELTON HOMES
II lNAN O. ll.-.a q