The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-11-21
THE soUTHERs COTTON MILLS.

When southern journalists get q lit
tie hard up for themes upon which to
write they have two subjects at hand
always upon which to discant-cotton
mills and business progress generally.
You can open exchanges any day and
find these prolific themes enlarged
upon The growth of cotton milling in
North Carolina is so marked Ii is al
ways in order TO tell of it. and urge a
wider development embracing many
other profitable Industries. There are
dozen industries that might be proita-
bly, engaged in this city. Charlotte
with its thirteen cotton factories and
its many other manufacturing estab-
lishmentS embracing many kinds. is a
standing object lesson of what can be
done in the way of prospecting a COM
munity by multiplying its industrial
enterprises. In 1890, the ensus showed
that Charlotte had less than Il, 900 in
habstants- Now il has by claiming
some $1,000. If the census should re-
duce this to 10000, it leaves most en-
c~ouraging growth and prosperity.
1t is now expected that all the cotton
grown in North Carolina will .oon be
consumed by our own home mills.
That will De Well done. Every mill
built helps many people. The progress
in his state has been very satisfactory
in erecting new mills and planning for
others. North Carolina leads the south
in the number of mills whilst South
Carolina leads in the number of looms
n spindles. We must hope that ere
long a new mill will be begun in VIII
mington, and hat other important en-
terprises will be started. Surely this
little city near the ocean is well situ-
ated for manufacturing on a large
scale.
Do cotton mills pay? Let the an
swer be found in the large dividends de-
clared in this and other states within
the last few months, running from S
to SO per cent. Recent reports show
that some factories continue to make
most extraordinary profits.
1t pays to manufacture the cotton
produced in a state. If North Carolina
were to manufacture all its cotton crop
it would mean a great deal. The in
crease in price is say 10 per cent. over
six months ago. 1t is wen more pro-
baby. North Carolina factories that
are safely managed produce from 10
per cent. to % per cent. or more. The
Gastonia mill made 6S, we believe it
was. If North Carolina had 100 more
mills how great the profit, and how
numerous the people who obtain in this
way employment.
We see in a Texas paper this men,
ton:
"HillSboro is to build a cotton fac
tory on a new cooperative plan which
is favorably received. The capital
stock Of $40, 900 is divided into 1000
shares of 500 each, payable in monthly
installments Of 81. In this way per-
IONS of limited means, with progressive
ideas, can invest in the improvement"
Many small mills have realized ex-
cellent results, s, 10 or more per cent.
The year ending 31St August 1899,
| showed that the bales consumed in
southern mills amounted to 1899, 1893.
The north took of southern cotton q
| 200, 900 bales. Contrast this with 1881,
eighteen years ago. Then the north
| took 1,713, 900 bales. The north incras-
| ed by 4S7, 900, while the south increased
| LIZA, 900. North and South Carolina
and Georgia have set the example of
| progress here.
Let all the towns see to it that each
has not less than two cotton mills
Get more if you can. Small factories
will be a blessing if managed discreetly
n wisely. Try it and see if it will
| not work well.