The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-10-03
COTTON AND THINGS.
Another Word or Two About the Cotton
Market Here and Elsewhere. +

/
! There was much discussion in Raleigh
yesterday over the News and Observers
exhaustive article referring to the price
of cotton this year as compared with the
price of cotton at the same time last
year, and there was discussion also over
the News and Observers exclusive re-
port of cotton receipts in Raleigh dur
ing September, 1897, as compared with
the receipts during September, 1896.
But there was not a man that even at
tempted to explain why cotton is 15s
cents lower this year than it was last
year, in view of the figures printed in
our issue of yesterday.
Mr.. G. G. Latta said, referring to the
disparagment IN Raleigh's receipts that
while he was correctly reported, word for
word, in yesterdays paper, still if he
had known that his remarks were going
to be printed, he would have said fur
Their that one of the principal reasons
why receipts had fallen off in Raleigh
this year was the fact that the cotton
crop was nearly two weeks later than
it was last year.
The News and Observer had two prin-
cipal objects in view in printing the ar
ticle referred to. One of these was to
correct the impression which seemed to
have become somewhat general, that
there was pool or combination
among the cotton buyers of Raleigh
having for its object the depression or
control of prices, and it said with en-
phasis, after careful investigation, that
las long as Raleigh pays as much for
cotton as other markets, similarly locat-
ed, the idea that there is anything like
Il combination on the part of the buyers
to keep down the price would not seem
to be well founded" And it then print
ed a statement from Mr.. A. A. Thomp-
son, prominent cotton buyer, which
was to any fair mind sufficient ex-
PLANTATION of how the idea had become
prevalent. The other object the News
and Observer had in view was to cor
rect, if possible, one thing, that, if what
everybody says, cotton buyers, as well as
cotton sellers. is true, has had ten
dency to injure the market-and that is
the difficulties that have arisen be-
tween the cotton weighers and the
planters. 1t was charged, and the charge
was made by as good men as Wake
county possesses. that these weighers
and the negroes under them were AFRO
CANT if not insolent, and totally indif-
1erenC as 10 Une duties Attached 10 the
positions they hold.
1t is the duty of these officials to
weigh correctly and promptly the cot
ton that is marketed in Raleigh. 1t is
the duty Of all men occupying public
positions, however high or however low,
to treat other men with due decency and
respect. This, the News and Observer,
as well as cotton buyers, cotton sellers
and the public generally, have the right
to demand at the hands Of these weigh
ers and their colored assistants, and il
this be treason to Raleigh, ''let FER
roll"
And the fact yet remains that.
as per the figures printed in yesterdays
News and Observer, and which no man
has yet denied or even attempted to de-
ny that the cotton sold in the city of Raj
eigh during September, 1897, brought
$4,000 less than the cotton sold in
the city Of Raleigh during September.
1896, and that the price of cotton today
is 15s cents less than it was one year
ago, notwithstanding the plaintive pleas
of the Mckinley men that the great
prosperity wave has envelOped the land.
These are facts, and if facts be treason,
''let 'er roll"