The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-30
COTTON GROWERS ARE
URGED TO COMBINE
4 NEOEssITY FOR ORGANIZATIONS
N IS IMPERATIVE.
5.sually Strong Addrcsss-WRy for
as8'Farmers to Protect Themselvos 10
Pointed Out In Detail-Tho Dan.
gar ImminSnt.
To tho Cotton Growers of Soutl
\ CarOlinn:

OuTOllnn.
The special committee appointed
by the Cotton Growers union of the
State held in Columbia On the goth
inst, desire to say that tho exceed
ingly low prices of cotton at the pro-
sent, with the indication Of lower
prices still in the future, painfully
admonish us that we have reached a
crisis in the history of the industry.
Prices today are not only far lower
than they have ever previously beer
at this season of the year, but lower
than they have been for SO years,
and the months of November, De-
cember, January and February are
selling on the Liverpool market low
or than during tho greut depression
of the forties, and oven at these fig
ures English agents are advising the
spinners of Great Britain to with
hold their purchases upon assurances
that prices will soon DO SO points
lower. In view of these conditions
we desire to call tho attention not
only of the cotton growers but Of
every business association in the cot
ton belt to the portentous fact that
for the want Of organization directed
by ordinary tact and foresight, we as
people are allowing this great elo-
ment Of wealth to pass beyond our
borders for a mere song; that our
birth:ight is going for mess Of
pottago, and our great natural ad-
vantages sacrificed with the careless
Indifference Of drunkard, who filings
from his lap his treasures. Foreign
spectators and manufacturers, fully
aware that the staple is passing out
of the hands of the growers at fig
: pres far below the cost Of production,
nevertheless hold aloof from the
market to allow tho maturing obliga-
tions of the farmers to force the crop
out Of their hands for a moro pitt
ance. Defiantly claiming to com
mand the situation, thoy boldly pro-
poso to avail themselves Of cond-
tions, which could be remedied by a
combination Of tho cotton growers
and business element Of the cotton
belt, to rob the growers not only of
the profits Of their years toll but of
nearly one half tho valne of 10000
600 bales of cotton, and thereby i'm
poverish tho most favored section of
the globe. Blessed with tho natural
advantages of climate and soil
which alone can produce this great
staple in quality and quantity sufti-
cient for tho demands of tho world,
we should be the most prosperous
people on earth. Efficient organiza-
tion, which would control tho volume
Of production and regulate it's mark
citing, would make these advantages
a mine Of wealth; but with every
cotton grower separately and indie
pendently striving to increase his
acreage and nulIify his bales, first
above then below tho cost Of produc
ton; with vicious financial system
that causes the claims of tho local
merchant and banker to forco the
entire crop on tho market in four
months, these natural advantages are
distorted into a blight and curse,
and the cotton grower is made to be-
como prey to the usurer, tho specu-
lator and tho manufacturers. Never
was thore situation which moro
peremptorily challenged the wisdom
of economic statosmanship; never
WAS there n moro inviting way, a
moro Imperative field for organiza
ton; never was there an exigency
which would more fully Justify it.
Yet we arc told that the cotton grow
ers are an ignorant class, devoid Of
leadership and without the power to
organize that it is impossible to Or
ganizo 100000 cotton growers. Why
ovnn tho lower animnls will rn1lv for
defense and self protection. Can it
be possibls that the cotton growers
constitute tho only element of the
animal kingdom which cannot unto Z
Are thoy 40 devoid Of manhood, in
telligence and foresight that the
strongest Observation-Disclosures
competency, tho welfare Of their soc