The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-04-24
SOUTHERN COTTON.
0eorsia. Florida. south Carolina,
Mississippi fnterested-An SOUTH
ern Interests Fnvorfng Re-
publican Policy.


The southern planters of long staple
cotton are quite in earnest in their pur-
pose 10 secure protection under the new
tariff law. Three weeks ago the James
Island, South Carolina, agricultural So
ciety passed resolutions TO the effect
| that the government has adopted "the
policy OF the protection OF the industries
of this country against foreign comPeti-
tion," and as ''the Sea island cotton In
dus.ry is in a most depressed condi-
| tion," largely due TO the importation of
Egyptian and other foreign long staple
cotton, "free of duty" therefore the
Sea island producers would petition
congress "to impose such duty on all
varieties of long staple cotton imported
into this country as viii extend to them
The same measure of protection against
foreign competition by existing laws"
to growers of tobacco and other agri-
cultural products.
A few days later the long staple cot
ton growers of Georgia and Florida
met and took similar action. The
| planters Of the Yazoo district OF Alissis-
sippi have taken up the matter with
| equal energy; consequently the ways
| and means committee will get consid-
cradle information on the subject.
Our southern friends are fast be-
coming pretty good practical protec-
tionists. even those who theoretically
are free traders. For number Of years
they asked for protection on rice and
sugar. and they got il. When their
iron and coal interests were threat
ened, those having investments therein
and In the industries Of which they
were the raw materials, began TO see
that free trade in those minerals was
not all that IL was cracked up 10 be.
When Sumatra tobacco was imported
at reduced rates they suddenly discov-
cred the need of protection for the cul-
tivators of "the weed" and when free
lumber from Canada dcmoralized that
immense interest of the south they got
another new idea. But they have never,
until recently, seen any necessity for
protecting any part of their cotton
crop. With them cotton was the king,
seated firmly on his throne, whose do
minion extended throughout the world.
Recently they have discovered that
British capital and Egyptian fellahs
have combined to compete with them in
giving to the world the most profitable
grade OF all varieties of cotton known
to commerce. Hence this latest de-
mand for protection for the south.
The extent to which this movement is
affecting public opinionjn the cotton
states may be seen In the editorials of
many papers that have heretofore been
more or less enthusiastic advocates of
free trade. The latest instance of this
appears in that stanch free trade paper,
the Charleston News and Courier,
which is strongly advocating a united
effort by all cotton growers and others
connected in any way with the industry
TO secure protection against the Anglo
Egyptian staple. II earnestly urges all
the cotton growers of that state TO
unite with "their fellow-farmers In
measures for the protection and promo
ton Of their common interests in the
conditions that so seriously affect it."
But IL is somewhat amusing 10 note
the ingenuity with which IL sugar
coats the pill IL administers TO It's old
time free trade constituency. 1t does
so by saying:
The petitioners ask only that the
avowed and adopted policy OF tho
government for the protection OF home
Industries against injurious foreign COM
petition, as exhibited in existing laws"
for the protection OF other Industries,
shall be applied also for the protection
OF their industry, which is injured and
depressed as the result OF the free foreign
competition which has so long been per-
mitted at its expense. They ask only to
be put on an equal footing under the law
with other citizens OF the government.
Their petition cannot consistently be
denied or ignored by the congress TO
which Il r. addressed IL should require
only 70 be submitted to that body I'm
order 10 insure it's being granted without
hesitation. Concert OF purpose and action
on the part OF all the cotton growers IN
interest ~ desirable and necessary TO the
proper and effective presentation OF their
claims. The Georgia and Florida cotton
farmers have decided ito ask for duty
OF five cents a pound on all imports OF foe.
eign cotton" The South Carolina farmers
should agree and unite with them In pre-
senting and pressing this reasonable and
modest claim.
This Is an adroit way Of telling it's
subscribers of many years: Even
though we are opposed TO the doctrine
Of American protection, yet, when In
spite OF all our opposition the people
have ordered that il shall be the policy
of the government, AS good Americans
we will accept the popular verdict, and
with all our might get whatever pro-
lection southern citizens require. that
they all may be put on an equal foot
ing under the law with other citizens OF
the government"
Must Grow Our Sugar.