Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1903-09-30

riously affecting the plants in all of
the old States. Just what would re-
suit from crop already three weeks
late by the visit of an early frost it
is hard to predict. These are mat
ters which which must to greater
or less extent figure in the future of
the crop. Certainly there is no
sound argument in farmers forcing
their cotton on the market rapidly
during the next two months unless
present prices should prevail. If a
heavy rush of the staple is made on
the market prices will at once begin
to sag, and the strong present posi-
tion of the producers greatly
weakened. :,
There are no debts due in Septem-
ber, and hence no necessity for rapid
marketing during that month. In
October if prices should go down
materially farmers can store their
cotton, or part of it, and get assist
ance from their local banks to meet
maturing obligations if their mer-
chants are unable to back them up
in this fight for fair and better
prices than have heretofore pre-
vailed. 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
advancing, even higher prices should
rule. The old argument that farm
ers should be content with eight
cent cotton is swindle and q delu-
sion.
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 legiti-
mate 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, Georgia, on August % and
pass strong resolutions not to sacri-
fee their cotton this year by early
marketing at reduced prices, and
then stand by those resolutions,
Southern cotton producers would
once again begin to get on their feet,
and new era of prosperity begin to
dawn all over the South in every
line of business.
AS the official head of our Inter-
State association I call upon and
urge upon every producer all over
the South to take a firm stand for
the maintenance of high prices this
season. 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 spinning purposes, and do not by
usual methods give TO them and the
spectators of the country the whip
handle of the situation. We hold
upon our farms to-day 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 vet
greater millions for clothing among
the inhabitants of every civilized
nation on the globe. Consumption
OF cotton has outstripped production,
and knowledge of this fact should
maintain prices at high level until
conditions change, which are not
likely to come to pass for many
years, if ever again. The South
possesses a 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 hand
ling this season's crop in accordance
with the conditions surrounding it
Let there be called meetings oi
farmers in every county, let there be
prompt and decisive action taken
let minimum price of not less than
ten cents per pound be fixed in every
local market, and then be steadfasl
with one another and get rid of the
yoke which has for half centur,
bowed Southern cotton producers
under the domination of gamblers,
speculators and foreign spinners.