The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-09-30

forcing their cotton on tee market
rapidly during the next two months
unless present prices should prevail.
If 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.
There are no debts due in Septem-
Der, and hence no necessity for rapid
marketing during that month. In
October if prices should 60 down ma
terially farmers can store their cot
ton, or part of it, and get assistance
from their local banks to meeting ma
turing obligations if their merchants
are unable to back them up in this
fight for fair and better prices than
have heretofore prevailed. Our cotton
is worth ten cents per pound every
year, and it should net that amount
to each producer. When supplies are
exhausted and the prices of cotton
goods are advancing, even higher
prices should rule. The old argument
that farmers should be content with
eight cent cotton is swindle and de-
lusion.
Every farmer who by the sweat of
his brow produces this great staple is
fully entitled to and should receive
every cent that his cotton is fairly
worth according to it's legitimate
value. If all the producers in each of
the $50 cotton producing counties in
the South would get together 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 to dawn all over the South in
every line of business.
AS the official head of our Inter
State association | call upon and urge
upon every prouducer all over the
South to take firm stand for the
maintenance of high prices this sea-
son When the market begins to sag
check receipts at once. Sell the crop
slowly, and furnish the mills with
such supplies as are needed for spin.
ming purposes, and do not by usual
methods give to them and the specu-
lators of the country the whip handle
of the situation. We hold upon our
farms today the key note to the situa-
tion The staple is yet in our posses
sion, it is wanted by millions of spin
dies in all parts of the world, and is
demanded by yet greater millions for
clothing among the inhabitants Of
every civilized nation on the globe.
Consumption of cotton has outstrip-
ped production, and knowledge of
this fact should maintain prices at a
high level urtil conditions change,
which are not likely to come to pass
for many years, if ever again. The
South possesses monopoly of this
great staple, and while millions have
been made out of it by others after it
left the hands of the producers, the
latter may now get their reward by
handling this seasons crop in accord
ance with the condition surrounding
it. Let there be called meetings Of
farmers in every county, let there be
prompt and decisive action taken, let
a minimum price Of not less than 10
cents per pound be fixed in every local
market, and then be steadfast with
one another and get rid Of the yoke
which has for half a century bowed
Southern cotton producers under tne
domination Of gamblers, spectators
and foreign spinnners.
Harvie Jordan.
President Southern Cotton Growers
Protective Association.