The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-08-31
Youmans Deals With
the Cotton Yield.

TIE following letter on the vitality
important subject of the handling of this
years cotton crop has been received by
the president Of the South Carolina cot
ton Growers associaieu
Fairfax, August %, 1898.
Hon. j. G. Wilborn. Yorkville, S. c.
My Dear Sir: I have just returned
from Memphis, Tenn. where have
been as the vice-president for South
Carolina to attend meeting of the
executive committee of the American
Cotton Growers Protection ASSOCIATION.
At this meeting. after electiog Col.
Maxwell. of Louisiana. presideus, to
succeed the late Hon Hector D. Lane,
deceased, and after simplifying the title
of the organization by changing it TO
that of the National Cotton Growers
Union. it was determined by the presi-
dent and vice. presidents to iDaugurate
vigorous policy Cd The part of the cot
ton growers of the south to meet the re-
ouirements Of the present threatening
ezigency of lower prices and impending
ruin.
From the best informed aud most re.
liable sources Of information, the COM
mittee unanimously arrived at the COZ
clusion that the present crop would
fully equal, if not exceed the lass, aud,
If rapidly thrown upon the market,
would in all probability sell far below
5 cents In view of the fac: that the
cotton growers have the present crop of
from ten tc twelve million bales now In
hand, while manufacturers and specu-
lators have only about three million
bales, if that. and that if the cotton
growers would withhold the present crop
from the market for 90 days, say till
December Let, the world would be bare
of cotton and at the mercy of the cotton
growers for their supply. is vas deter
mined to effect thorough and complete
organization of the cotton growers be-
ginning with the smallest geographical
sub division with view Of holding the
present crop and following up this line
Of action, through the medium of town
ship clubs, by enrolling all land holders
in contract to reduce next years acre.
age oue-balf.
l. is mauifestly clear that such line
of proceeding would place the cotton
grove; in command Of the situation,
change the outlook from one of bank
ruptcy and ruin TO one Of profit and
competency.
It further seems that an effort in this
line would meet with the aid and ap-
provai Of almost every business interest
10 the South
Well knowing that the principle OBJ
s.acle to the accomplishment of this
undertaking would consider in the ma
turing obliga tious Of the cotso- grow
ers, Incurred 10 the production of the
crop, a special mmi,tee has been ar
ran ged for, consisting OF one member
frcm each State, 10 confer With capl-
talit aud provide the necessary funds
to take up these liens aud carry the
cotton uotil such time as it can be dis
posed of at fair profit
Under Instructions from the ezecu-
tive com mittee Of the National Cotton
Growers Uuioo, With a view of placing
South Carolina 10 position to carry
out these propositions. nov call upon
YOU as the president of the organIza-
ton 10 this State to call convention
to meet 10 Columbia at the earliest pos
sible day Please use such diligence
as will secure iui representation from
each county in the State.
Should our State act with promptDess
and decision, it woa'd in all probability
have most happy effect oO all the 9th
er cotton growing States.
This is matter Of vital consequence
10 the entire cotton belt and too in
portapt to brook auy unnecessary delay.
While | have thought proper TO give
YOU an outline of the CON mlttee.s plan
Of procedure. it was tbougbt best by
the committee got to make it public
just yet.
Yours very sincerely,