The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1903-09-30

as a cotton famine, the condition OF
the present growing crop is not such
now as to forecast any hope I'm the
minds Of any one that a much larger
yield will be made this year than last.
The boil weevil, according to advices
just received, are doing great damage
to the crop in 81 counties through the
middle and southern portions OF Texas
while the boil worm is ravaging the
crop i'm northern Texas. East OF the
Mississippi rust and shedding is seri-
ously affecting the plants in all Of the
old States. Just what would result
from crop already three weeks late
by the visit OF an early frost 1t is hard
TO predict. These are matters which
must to greater or less extent figure
In the futue OF the crop. Certainly
There is no sound argument in farmers
forcing their cotton on the market
rapidly during the next two months
unlesSS present prices should prevail.
If a heavy rush of the staple is made
on the markets prices will at once be-
gin to sag, and the strong present
position Of the producers greatly
weakened
'iNiS iiS iIo uuc Ill ENtDlefn-
Der, and hence no necessity for rapid
marketing during that month. In
October If prices should go down ma
terially farmers can store their cotton,
or part OF it, and get assistance from
their local banks to meet maturing
obligations If their merchants are un-
able to back them up in this fight for
iair ana better prices than have here
tofore prevailed. Our cotton is worth
ten cents per pound every year, and it
should net that amount to each pro-
ducer. When supplies are exhausted
and the prices OF cotton goods are ad-
Vancing, even higher prices should
rule. The old argument that farmers
should be content with eight cent cot
ton is Il swindle and delusion.
Every farmer who by the swe1t of
his brow produces this great staple is
fully entitled to and should receive
every cent that his cotton is fairly
worth according to its legitimate
value. If all the producers in each of
the $50 cotton producing counties in
the South would get to gether as did
the farmers OF Troup County, this
State, on August % and pass strong
resolutions not to sacrifice their cotton
this year by early marketing at re-
duced prices, and then stand by those
resolution, Southern cotton producers
would once again begin to get on their
feet, and new era Of prosperity be-
gin 10 dawn all over the South in
every line OF business.
AS the Official head OF our Inter
State nSSnriati in1 | nal
upon every producer all over the South
TO take firm stand for the mainten-
ance OF high prices this season. When
the market begins to sag check re-
ceiptS at once. Sell the crop slowly,
and furnish the mills with such sup
plies as are needed for spinning pur-
poses, and do not by usual methods
give to them and the SPECTATORS OF the
country the whip handle of the siUua-
tion. We hold upon our farms today
the key note TO the situation. The
staple is yet in our possession, it Is
wanted by millions Of SpindleS in all
parts OF the world, and is demanded
by yet greater millions for clothing
among the inhabitants of every civil
llZcd nation on the globe. Consump-
N'Oii vi NoCJOu OuUSIIIpDtu
tiun, and Il knowledge OF this fact
should maintain prices at high level
until conditions change, which are not
likely 10 come to pass for many years,
II ever again. The South possesses a
monopoly Of this great stape, and
while millions have been made out Of
1t 10y others after il left the hands OF
the producers, the latter may now get
their reward by handling this season )
crop in accordance with the condi-
tions surrounding it. Let there be
called meetings of farmers in every
county, let there be prompt and deci-
Hive action taken, let minimum price
OF not less than 10 cents per pound be
liked in every local market, and then
be StadfaSt with one another and get
rid of the yoke which has for half a
century bowed Southern cotton pro-
ducerS under the domination OF gam
plerS, spectators and foreign spin
nerS. HARVIE JORDAN
President Southern Cotton Growers
Protective Association"