The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-06-27
SENSIBLE ADVICE TO THE SOUTH.


The newspapers have had a great deal
about Mr.. John f. Searles. treasurer or
the American Sugar Refining Company
In the last few years. but we do not re-
collect n simple foolish utterance that he
ha. made. Mr.. Thomas p. Grasty, OF
the Manufacturers Record Of Balti-
more. had an interview with him recently
for that journal from which we quote
below. If the people of the South would
abuse Mr.. Searles less because he Is con-
nected with a great industrial organiza-
ton and would not listen to and act upon
wha he says. they would find their ma
terial prosperity growing far more rapid
ly than ii does.
Mr.. Searles said In part:
III Secretary Herbert, iii his recently
published interview in the Manufacture
ers' Record. is correct In his stimat OF
fundamental condition, and especially IN
assuming that the Anglo-Saxonism of the
South may be relied upon to insure con-
servatism and sound principles. there Is
no reason why the Southern States may
not come rapidly to the front as a field
for investment and development and enter
upon an era of prosperity hitherto I'M
dreamed Of.
The Southern States have to-day larger
and more valuable and varied undevelop-
ed resources than any other region OF
which j have any knowledge. capital
coupled with industry. will develop their
resources with marvellous rapidity under
favorable conditions. and II only remains
for the sturdier Anglo-SaXon elements
throughout the South TO develop a public
sentiment which is broad and fair-minded
and just. and they will open the flood
gates through which there will flow in a
tide Of prosperity equal TO anything we
have seen in the phenomenal development
OF the Western States during the last
three decades.
" IT takes money TO make money and
the money TO make the South rich is
awaiting investment in it's fields and for
osts and mines, when the people OF the
South. putting aside the modern heresies
regardilE, capital. reasserting inherited
principles and living up to tim~e-honored
traditions. shall make the visiting dollar
like the visiting guest. safer in the South
against any and all enemies than any
where else in the world.
1.-The notion that in some way capital
can be legislated out OF the hands OF its
owners and into the pockets of the many
is the popular delusion of the day, and
this idea must give place TO the truth.
''The whole trend of development in
this country Is toward economy of pro-
duction and elimination of unnecessary
charges and useless burdens: hence by
inexorable economic laws. other condi-
tions being equal, raw material will be
manufactured at. as nearly as possible.
the point of production.
apply this principle to the products
Of the South and estimate. If you can, the
multiplication, variety and extent Of the
industries awaiting development.
but this development requires capital.
you say. and IL does. and that capital. as
! have already stated. is ready to-day for
the construction and operation of new in
dustries Immediately IL is seen that pub
lie sentiment in the South stands ready
to adequately safeguard II and protect
those who enter into partnership with
its people for a common benefit.
IF at this particular juncture, where
in many OF the States efforts are being
made to hamper capital and attempts by
legislation TO restrict its use. the South
were to throw its doors wide open with
guarantees OF protection TO investors. l
believe there is in store for 1t such pros
perity as would surpass anything the
country has ever yet seen
Each year during which tho people OF
the South delay such safeguards and such
action is another years posrponement or
the era of prosperity and of the general
welfare"
Nothing truer was ever said than that
II takes money TO make money and we
are simply drying up our own resources
when we enact laws hostile to capital.