The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-21
COTTON MEN AT oUlTMAN.
a FEATURE OF STATE AGRICUL-
TURAL SOCIETY MEETING.

A Day to BE Devoted to the Subject
of Cotton Observation-Disclosures
Exchanges and other Commercial
Bodies Invited to Send Represen-
tatives-Mr. j. II. Williams Writes
President Pope Brown Giving His
Views on the Subject-The Cues
ton of More Importance to the
southern Farmer Than Amy That
Now COhfr0nts Him, Says Mr..
Williams.
The State Agricultural Society will hold
its annual convention at Quitman begin
ming Aug g. The chief subject of discus
sion before the convention will be that of
the uniform classification of cotton at
American ports. Recognizing the import
ance of this subject the officers Of the
society have set aside a day especially for
its discussion. The cotton exchanges and
commercial associations generally of the
country have been invited to send repre-
sentadves to state their views. The Sa-
vannah Cotton Exchange has not yet Sc
lected representatives, but will doubtless
do so. The Chatham County Truck
representatives to the convention and will
doubtless do so.
Mr.. j. p Williams, who began the agi-
tation in behalf of uniform classification
of cotton, said yesterday that he might
be unable to attend the convention, as the
probability is that he will be out of the
state at that time Mr.. Williams has
written Hon. Pope Brown, president of
the society, stating his views fully upon
this subject and the latter will doubtless
be laid before the society.
In speaking of the question of uniform
classification yesterday Mr.. Williams
said:
Il was much interested in a copied ar
ticle which appeared in the Houston Post
few days since, in which the editor,
quoting the expression of Senator McEn-
cry and others warned the people against
The introduction of the cylindrical bale.
After looking over the situation critically
and dispasSionately / have come 10 the
conclusion that the adoption of the cylin-
drical bale viii simply be the rounding
touch whereby the farmer will have lost
the last safeguard for protecting himself
in marketing his cotton. l affirm, without
poor price of cotton to-day is due direct
w to the fact that all competition in the
purchase of the article has already been
| withdrawn. The f. o. b. business has
| sounded the death knell Of the prosperity
of the farmer, and until conditions are
rcadjusted in such a manner as 70 protect
| him In the sale of his cotton upon = com
| 9ettive basis, prices WI be regulated
| alone by the dictum of a few spectators,
! who will raise or lower the price 10 suit
| their own selfish ends.
THE farmer should lcOlI with suspicion
upon the Introduction Of any system Of
| baling his cotton which VIII make it i'm
| practcaLfa to have the cotton inspected
| before it is marketed The only means Of
redemption to-day for the farmer is the
! enactment of uniform laws throughout the
cotton growing states, providing for the
! classification of cotton, al cotton TO b'
inspected before it Is marketed, making
this inspection final and making it a pen
atty for a bale of Gotten to be sold eXcep
under the certificate eff a sworn inspec or
defining its quality and quantity This vii
| bring about a healthy comD1 tition in th'
purchase of the article, and capital, which
! has been diverted into other channels by
reason of the hazardous risk in investing
| ii in cotton transactions, will begin to fint
| its way back INTO these chaune.s, anC
prices viii be obtained, based upon tn,
law of supply and demand
| It is desirable that Savannah should bt
| represented at the convention, as the actor
of the society is likely 10 lie used as {
! basis for the further development OF III,
movement.