Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-06-09
Mistellaneous &eadiug.
The SOUTH AND EXPANSION.
Sensible, Statesmanlike Discussion OF
Great Question.

Sr6AU NuobthOus
Senator McLaurin in Leslies Weekly.
"For the future, national expansion
is the hope of the south. Her indus
trial developments will be hindered
and finally circumscribed without it.
With the new markets it will create
and the power it will give her in all
industrial pursuits, it means the en-
richment Of the south and the nation.
The people: of the south cannot now
fully realize the industrial progress
made in that section in the last two
decades, nor properly appreciate the
transcendent advantages to grow out of
expansion. The transition from con-
dition Of business paralysis, produced
by disastrous war and reconstruc-
ton trials, to one of marvellous indus
trial activity and development, has
been 80 sudden and unexpected that
it really seems to them q mirage.
When they fully awake to the true
situation and realize the wonderful ad-
vantage made and the industrial pos
sibilities of the south, they will be able
to see what the south will gain by
national expansion.
"What is the true condition of the
south, and what is necessary for its
continued Improvement She has
monopoly ofthe agricultural staple of
cotton, which is of world wide indu-
ence. No other country has ever had
such monopoly of any staple. In
1898 the cotton crop was II, ,274, 800
bales. The cotton growing region meas
ures $4,000 square miles. With the
proper demand and other favorable
conditions, there are cotton soils enough
in the south to produce 100000, 900
bales. There are enough horses and
mules on the farms of the cotton grow
ing states today to make a crop of 50,-
100000 bales. There are 1900, ,000,-
900 people in the world. Possibly T.
0O0, 900 are interested in the growing,
handling and manufacturing of cotton,
with about 100000 more interested
in its sale. The balance of the human
family are consumers. In addition to
this, there are $40, 600, 900 invested in
oil mills, an industry still in it's infancy.
There is no bi-product in the world
whose possibilities compare with those
of cotton seed.
"The south is making rapid strides in
the manufacture of raw cotton. In
1850 she had 1000 spindles, repres-
enting a capital of s21, 100000. Today
she has over 100000 spindles and
more than $125,OOO,000 invested in
cotton mills. There are mills now
under construction representing about
$25, 100000 more. With the same rate
of Increase for the next twenty years
land it will be accelerated), the south
will have over 25, 900, 900 spindles, rep
resenting over 100000 900 invested.
In 1899 her mills consumed about l.
100000 bales of cotton. In 1920 they
will consume 100000 bales. With
the advantages of climate, cheaper Ia
Dor, coal, and other supplies, she can
compete with the world in furnishing
cheap cotton goods.
"The demand for these goods is sure
to grow with civilization. Now only
about half the people in the world are
supplied with cotton goods made by
modern machinery. The production
of manufactured goods is now nearly
double the amount necessary for our
population. New markets must be
found for this surplus, which will con-
tinue to increase. In the east is a
population of teeming millions needing
our cotton goods, which are so we'll
suited to the climate and people. Our
southern manufacturers have already
reached this market, and with an in
crease of our present trade and the
opening of new markets, we can find
an outlet for all our surplus products.
The Orient furnishes the only unex-
plored and undeveloped market in the
world. The field of trade everywhere
has been occupied. What a dazzling
picture it is to fancy the south raising
50,OOO,OOO bales of cotton and manu-
featuring half Of it, and realizing the
rich rewards of disposing of the pro-
ducts in the east.
The south has workable coal field
of $4,000 square miles, with devel-
opment of only about 1000 square
miles. The output at present is only
10000, 900 tons. With the entire area
developed, the amount of coal produc.
ed would be hundreds of millions of
tons. When the home demand is sup
piled, what an inviting prospect there
will be in the expectation of this sur
plus coal. The iron industry in the
south is in the infancy of its develop
ment. Last year there were $780,
900 tons of pig iron produced. With
the vast iron domain almost undevel-
oped, no one can conceive of the posi-
BILE extent of it's production. Markets
will be needed for this surplus, and
these can only be found in other coun-
tries.
"Alabama coke has gone to Japan,
and more of it would have gone, but
the home demand exceeds the supply.
So with the export of iron. The Rich
mond Locomotive works are compet-
ing with the world in exporting loco
motives, and a Maryland steel COM
pany has been furnishing steel rails for