The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-12-04
SOUTH CAROLINA LEADING

20 An Industrial Record of Whic
;, the Palmetto State May -
@ Proud.
l. A Columbia correspondent SAYS tia
p South Carolina some time ago took it
place as the second cotton manufactur
+ ing State in the Union, and there ar
, features connected with this develop
! ment that give the subject especia
interest.
, In years prior to the civil war Soutl
Carolinians had very high opinion 0
themselves and their State, and Ger
tain set was doubtless considered boast
Iul. If this spirit existed it was fo
many years crushed ont of existence
Now, however, the people of this State
are taking very keen delight IN theil
manufacturing interests, a great pride
III the rapid strides that have been
made yory largely with home capital
and entirely with home energy and en-.
terpriso.
While South Carolina is second only
to Massachusetts in the manufacture
OF cotton, she stands first as to the in
novations in the application of most
modern methods. AS exemplifying
progress in manufacturing, this little
Southern State 10 leading the world
and she was, as il were, an infant IN
arms dozen years ago. In Columbia
ls the first cotton mill to have machin-
ely driven by electricity; hero, too, is
the largest mill under one roof in tho
world. Again, when experts or men
contemplating building wish TO sec the
mill admitted to be the finest in mill
construction, the most modern in all
ppointments, they come here. Mill
men from Massachusetts, as we'll as
from Manchester, England, have visit
cd South Cardinals capital to witness
perfection in cotton manufacturing.
The records of the United States
agricultural department Will show
that the greatest yield of corn ever
grown on one acre was in South Caro-
lima, which vas in a contest open to
the world. 1t is, of course, well
known that "Carolina rice" ranks
first in every market and grocery. The
famed Sea Island long staple cotton of
this coast is unequalled, and can be
likened only to silk. The finest grades
are sent to France, and only appear
on the market in the form Of silk.
The manner in which this silky cot
ton is selected and grown would make
story by itself. Ii demonstrates
that the South Carolina planter can be
Infinitely painstaking and industrious.
TO grow a cotton that sells for 50 a
pound when the ordinary short staple
fntHhpS TO hnr ~
order of intelligence.
South Carolina claims the record
acre yield for sweet potatocs-thc food
for man and beast; also for raising the
largest hog ever butchercd In five
years the growing of tobacco has be-
come an important industry. The de-
velopment in this line has been re-
markable. Who're ten years ago the
tobacco crop sold for few thousand
dollars, it now yields several millions.
1t should not be forgotten that in the
Palmetto State is the only tea planta-
ton in America, and that tea raised
here brings the highest price of any
sold IN this country.
The oldest cotton mill now running
in the State was established in 1888.
The next was built in 1S45. Then not
one for twenty-five years. 1t was not
till 1888 that any important mills were
built. The Columbia mills, built in
1893, were the first IN the State to
cost as much as half million dollars.
The Olympia Mills in Columbia, finish
ed over a year ago, represents more
than $2,000,00O. In the last four
years one-fourth of the entire capital
in South Carolina mills has been in.
vested. There are only thirteen coun-
ties in which there are no cotton mills.
The agitation about child labor that
has been going on for two years scems
to have had no effect on mill building.
| There is DO decrease. New mills are
going up and old ones are being en-
larged. 1t is likely that the Leglsla-
ture that meets IN January will dis
pose of the labor question along lines
that will be satisfactory to the mills
and the children, as we'll as tho hui
name public.
With all of this, there is general
prosperity throughout South Carolina
unknown for many years. The people
are at peace with themselves. They
have ceased fighting oyer politics. The
Frost King has been kind, and permit.
ted cotton to mature in an unexpected
manner. Ten bales have been made
where, in August, seven and hall
were hoped for. Old debts have been
paid and November 81 has been day
of real Thanksgiving.
----714z>-s zFnz-.-----
The married men has listened to tht