The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-11-24
Gen. Buffers Views.

To the Editor Of the State: The sug-
gestions Of Mr.. W. r. Bradley in his
communication to your paper CT the
10Th inst. in regard to the present low
price of cotton, arc the most sensible
and practical | have seen. II the
cotton raisers Of the South could be
induced to act upon them for five
years we would be the richest, most
prosperous agricultural people in the
world.
The two prominent and controlling
factors that depress the price of cot
ton are Qst) the over production OF
cotton and under production of food
crops; (2d) the inadequacy and in
equality in distribution Of the volume
of currency. The first we can control
if we will in the manner indicated by
Mr.. Bradley and other practical farm
crs, and the second can, and | trust
will, be corrected in time by appro-
pirate legislation.
If We could limit the production OF
cotton to 100000 or 100000 bales
per annum, the demand would neces-
sarily enhance the price, and make
cotton the best and surest money crop
| in the world, and {. money crop that
would remunerate the producer.
This is so perfectly clear to my
mind that I cannot conceive Of any
successful argument against it.
The Limitation ON the crop in this
country would, perhaps, stimulate the
production elsewhere, but not to de-
gree that could seriously affect US.
So far, the efforts to find soil, eli
mate and conditions to produce fibre
comparable to our upland cotton have
proven failures. lido not mean to say
that we are complete masters Of the
situation in cotton raising, but we do
occupy such a commanding position
as to defy successful competition, if
we are true to ourselves. Just how
we are to reduce the acreage and limit
the production is difficult, some
think a hopeless, undertaking. 1t
can only be done by close concert OF
action and good faith on the part Of
the principal cotton raisers in the cot,
ton belt. That reduced acreage and
production would result in enhanced
remunerative prices seems too clear to
require argument.
When the Confederate government
restrained, by law, the planting of cot
ton to so many acres to the plow, and
thereby encouraged the production Of
food crops, the South was full of corn,
wheat, oats, sorghum, bacon and beef.
In fact, we had an abundant suppl y
in every line Of food products. In
times Of peace tits, Of course, ques.
tionable whether such restraint could
be imposed by law. If, however, such
legislation could be had it would be a
wise thing to adopt and enforce it.
If time enough has been allowed to
secure a representative convention
from the cotton growing States at At
lanta on the second Tuesday Of next
month, I shall have hopes OF such ef-
fective and earnest concert OF action
as will improve the prospects Of cot
ton planting throughout the South.
It is sad to think that an agricultural
people so favored by nature as ours
should so often be made the plaything
of speculators and drones Of the in
dustrial world. 1t is our own fault,
however, and we have nobody to blame
but ourselves.
If we will only plant less cotton,
more grain and encourage cotton man
ufacturing in our midst, the solution
of our present depression would, in a
few years, be made in our favor.
Mr.. Bradley's example is one that
would pay every farmer in the South
to follow. NJ. G. BUTLER.