The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-10
DOUBTFUL OF ITS EFFECT.
TARIFF ON COTTON NOT CONsIO-
Erred A SURE BLESSING.

Action of the Georgia Senator's Gre
atcs Some Surprise-The 20 Per
Cent. Ad VaIOrem Tax ON Imported
Cotton May Help Growers of Sea
Islands and Extra staple UpIands,
But Increased Production Predict
ed as n Consequence of Higher
Prices.
The action OF the Georgia senators In
securing a 20 per cent. ad valorem duty
on all cotton imported into this country
by the cooperation Of the republican SEN
ators was a great surprise to democrats
here, cotton men as we'll as everyone else
1t looked too much like falling in with the
republican policy and encouraging a pro-
lection sentiment IN the south
The veriest tyro in the cotton business
did not have to be told that no tariff duty
no matter how high, could affect the price
of ordinary upland cotton so long as the
greater part OF the cotton produced is
exported and there is no similar cotton
in the world which can compete with it
at the same price.
AS to the effect upon sea island cottons
and extra staple uplands, opinions differ
Very little extra stapled uplands comes
to this market, this cotton being chiefly
produced in Texas, Louisiana and Missis-
slppi Memphis being it's chief market. Sa-
vannah, however is the headquarters for
the sea island cotton crop. The majority
of those handling sea islands here regard
the tariff as a very doubtful experiment
1t is admitted that it will probably operate
in connection with the decreased acreage
and consequently a reduced crop, to in
crease prices this fall from to cents a
pound. This increase in price, however, is
regarded as temporary only, as the nat
ural result will be to induce the farmers
to greatly extend the acreage devoted to
the crop another year. and large crops
mean low prices without any regard to
tariff duties.
THE millmen,do not regard the prospect
of a tariff with any great dread" said a
prominent cotton factor yesterday. "a
tariff on Egyptians means that they will
be enabled to dispose of the stock which
they now have on hand at higher prices
than they would have obtained otherwise
If the mills go on importing Egyptian cot
| ton then the only benefit derived from the
duty will be the revenue obtained by the
| government. IT, however, the mills decide
| to put in combing machinery and make use
| of sea islands instead of Egyptians the sea
| island planters will reap some benefit from
| it. The extra stapled uplands of the west,
however, comes nearer to filing the place
| OF Egyptians than any other variety of
| cotton and is more likely to be benefited by
| the tariff. The producers of extra staples
have suffered severely from competition
with low priced sea islands and Egyptians.
We must remember, however, that what
ever amount of Egyptian cotton, which for
merly came to this country is shut out
| by the tariff means just so much more to
| come in competition with on the other side
! crop being exported"
! Mr.. j. P. Williams came squarely out
| in favor of the duty on cotton. "Our SEN
| ators did good thing" said Mr.. Will
| Jams. Il am thoroughly convinced that
duty on Egyptian cotton will rebound
| to the benefit OF the farmers of South
west Georgia. If the Industries of other
| sections are protected, why should not the
| industries of this section be protected
also? 1 am unqualifledly In favor of a
duty on lumber also. The government is
| compelled to raise a very large revenue
| by the tariff which means more or less
| protection to various industries. This
| being the case there is no reason why the
industries of our section should not be
protected as well as the industries of 9TH
er sections. Otherwise we will be at a
| disadvantage"
| There being such a difference of opin-
ion as to results, the experiment will be
required to determine who is right. One
| years experience will not be sufficient,
but as the tariff bill about to be enacted
viii doubtless last through President Nc
! Kinleys term the experiment viii have
| a sufficient time to run.