Okolona messenger., 1902-06-18

SAsEssNlIJ1 thirty second annual report of the
k6SYAXTE New York Cotton Exchange by
81 s1ESS{.T1 President S. 7. Hubbard he says
Ss5RNg%kGCA that cotton manufacturing interests
E~5)SIeV in the South are advancing rap
idly that at the ratio of increase the mills of the
south will soon consume much cotton as those Of
TIE north.
We are much nearer that point already than
most persons imagine.
Up to May 3Oth the total domestic takings o. the
last cotton crop were 3, 3,406677 bales and of this
amount the southern mills had taken 1,423, ,579
bales, or nearly 40 per cent 1t is a confident pre-
diction that the southern mills within the next two
years will consume fully halt OF the cotton manu-
factured in this country, if not more.
But while the mills of the south already take al
most much cotton the northern mills, the pro-
duet of the southern mills represents hardly one
trird OF the value of American cotton mill produc
tion. In this fact there is suggestion which the
progressive cotton manufacturers OF the south are
begnningtO to heed
1t is that the great opportunity for them lies in
making finer grades OF goods. They have made
notable advances on this line in the last few years.
and we shall see in the next decade production
of immense quantities of fine cotton fabrics in the
south The obstacles that were formerly supposed
to stand iu the way of the success Of the south
were either purely imaginary or easily removable
The idea that the climate of the south did not
contain the humidity requisite to the finer grades OF
cotton mills depend upOn artificial instead of nat
ura conditions for their desired degree OF humidity,
and therefore the southern mills at no disadVan
tage in this particular.
The argument that the south has not the skilled
labor required for the manufacturer OF high class
cotton goods will not stand, becanse skilled labor
will go wherever the demand for it is sufficient.
The supply Ofthat class of labor is increasing
steadily in the south
The south will not be long content with the line
of cotton manufactures which she mainly pur-
sues. She is not satisfied with her undisputed lead
in coarse cotton goods, but will challenge all com
pettOTs in the higher grades with the certainty OF
of holding her own there, or doing even better.
Senator Proctor knows what it is to see a volcano
in eruption. Twenty years ago he stood upon the
side of Vesuvus while that mountain beched forth
lava and smoke. ''We had gone up part OF the
way in carriages" said Mr.. Proctor recently relat-
ing his experience ''but when we came to the place
where we we're to take the cog railway, we found
that there had been accident and the cars were
not running About dark the manager sent every
body away with fhe statement that ascent would
be possible until the next day. Being compelled to
leave Naples on the next day and having letters to
the manager, persuaded him to let me have sOme
guides and try to ascend the volcano on foot. He
consented aud we started We could not get close
TO the crater because the fire and lava wtre pouring
forth, and even where we stood shower of pumice
American coin and get an impression of it in the
soft lava, but they would not do it. The stuff was
too hot. / remember that it was midnight when we
reached the highest accessible point the summit
but the stream of red hot lava made the locality as
light as day."
A bulletin issued by the interstate Commission
shows that during the three months ended Decem-
ber 31st last there were 14S1 collisions and S77 de-
Irailments in the United States, in which 274 per
sons were killed aud 2,039 injured. Accidents OF
all other kinds increase the total to S13 killed and
TO- 235 injured. The damage to cars, engines and
roadway by these accidents amounted to 3d. ,O9l
Reports show that the injury is mainly to employees
and persons classed as 'Others," meaning those
killed or wounded while crossing or walking on
tracks. Tramps run up the list Of those hurt in
wrecks, as there is seldom freight wreck in which
less than two OF this class killed or injured.
The Cincinnati New Orleans and Texas Pacific
road had a record of not passenger killed in two
years and other roads show almost as WE'LL
Col. E. L. Russell, who last week was so terribly
bereaved in the death of his noble brother Speaker
j. D. Russell of the House of Representatives,
sent out the following message from Meridian last
Saturday:
81 adopted this means of expressing the heartfelt
thanks OF Mrs Russell, her children and myself to
the citizens Of Meridian and to the state OF
Mississippi for the afectiOnate consideration they
gave the remains OF my departed brother. The
closing Of all the enterprising business houses in
this city and the action Of all its cOmmendable
bOdes including that Of the bar of Meridian, was
sufficient evidence to establish his standing in the
estimation OF the people with whom he lived.
E. I. RUSSELL.