Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-01
Cotton-Growers I'm Council.
nvnchhnrr Advance.)

The c-otton-planters are not realizing
much of the prosperity promised by the
Republican ante-election orators. Thu
price is so low that it leaves no margin
of profit, and the planters are meeting
and seeking to devise some plan to i'm
prove their condition. TIL American Cot
ton-Growers' Association, recently in ses-
sion at Memphis. Tenn, adopted the fol-
lowing resolutions:
THE object Of this association shall be
to educate the cotton-growers of America
as TO their rights and duties and to de-
wise ways and means for the improve
ment of their condition. In order TO carry
out the principles of the association we
shall strive by the thorough organization
of all the cotton-growing States, coun-
ties. and districts to unite all growers
i'm an earnest effort to reduce the acreage
of cotton each year to such a point as Will
insure a fair average price TO every
grower. This Organization will take no
part in national. State, or local politics,
and will permit no persons TO use it for
personal Advancement or purely political
purposes. This association shall aim,
above all things, to teach the American
cotton-grower:
81. TO reduce the cost Of the production
of cotton.
'2. To practice the principles of thrift
and economy which shall enable him TO
escape debt and make his cotton a real
money crcs.
80. To make all his own supplies at
home, TO the end that the crop, when pro-
duced, may be all his own.
~. To hold his crop each year until he
can sell it TO the best advantage.
'5. To build factories for manufacturing
cotton near the cOtton-ields so that the
South may receive the largest returns
from each annual cotton crop, and that
home markets may be built up for other
farm products
There IS a great deal of good sense con-
tanned I'm these resolutions. The planters
do nor adopt the usual plan OF calling on
the government for relief. They are SSH
reliant. wide-aWake citizens, seeking 10
improve their own condition by business
Methods without reference 10 partisan
politics. In this course they are rlsht'
eminentlv right. Their well-being depends
mainly on their own efforts. 1t may not
be possible to carry out their plans in
full II has always been found impractl-
cable TO restrict. the area, planted IN cot
ton bv public resolutions. But something
NAV be done in that direction under the
pressure of circumstances. n wisdom
of the advice to planters TO raise their
own supplies cannot be questioned. Inc
suggestion TO encourage the establish
ment Of manufacturing enterprises IN
the South is equally wise and timely.
The advice to the planters TO Withhold
their crop from the market until the
prices are satisfactory may not in all
eases be practicable. The cotton-planter
can no more control the market price OF
-. 49, Tho wheat nT06nHHTG can
control the price of wheat. Still, the
planters would do well to exercise some
Judgment in marketing their crops and
not rush their cotton to market all at
once and more rapidly than the existing
demand justifies. 1t is well that the cot
ton-planters are seeking TO bring about
concert of action for the benefit of their
own business. 1t is just what men or
other pursuits have been doing all along.
and in most instances with partial, If
not complete, success.