Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1904-03-02
Southern Development No Longer a
Matter of Prophecy
A MOST INTERESTING REYIfW
The Southern Bankers Furnish the
Manufacturers Record With Facts
and Figures.


325.00O 600. of the crop OF the season
Of 1889. added to the large grain crop
in the South. has placed that section
in better financial shape than ever be-
fore. II now has agricultural pros
pt'rity IN connection with nourishing
industrial interests. This is reflected
in a mass OF letters from Southern
bankers published in last weeks issue
or rho manufacturers Record in reply
10 inquiries made OF them for their
views:
- On the general Southern business
situation present and prospective
(2) On the improvement in agriCul-
tn Al conditions as tending to place
the farming interests OF the South on
solid basis for general prosperity.
lesscniDg their dependence upon crop
lions in making the coming crops and
resulting in decrease OF farmers in
de"tclncss on personal credit and
MORTGAGES.
Tn" responses wer prompt and graf
flying. Their general tenor is of de-
cidcdly positive character There is
agreement of opinion that finances in
the South are upon a most healthy and
substantial basis. Increased banking
capital Is recorded. larger deposits than
ever before are shown in national.
state and savings banks and. ut tine
same time. much local money is going
into new industrial enterprises or INTO
the enlargement OF existing ones
Many municipalities have been infused
with the spirit OF progressivcness able
to find Expression in the general nan-
Cial prosperity and on many sides are
1pfnlr, nlnnC hnf Of
city properties and the Improvement
of streets schools and roadways
Prosperity in the South is no longer
matter of prophecy. writes one bank
er. II j. an existing condition which
one may see and feel on every side
AMI IL Is attributed Immediately to the
hicE price for cotton received by the
producer and to the immense gains
made hy the actual holders OF spot
cotton. Back OF it all. though. is the
wisdom gained by the farmers in the
situation five or six years ago when
much cotton was 3ised at a loss. Then
ths farmers were compelled to prac-
tice economy OF the strictest sort in
all Their methods and to turn their at
tentjon 10 diversified crops. Compul-
son IN many instances had become
choice. and, consequently the opening
or the season found many farmers
ready 10 take the best advantage of
the high prices OF cotton. Now they
an" paving cash for their supplies in
stead Cf subjectiEg themselves TO lien
merchants. they have relieved them
selves from their Indebtedness or have
rcduced Il to q marked degree. they are
swelling the bank deposits and in some
communities the dependence upon crop
liens and mortgages to make the COM
ing crop will be confined almost en-
tIcly 20 the negroes and to the less
thrifty class Of small white farmers.
y note OF caution. however. is sound
ed herc and there in reference to the
tendency to spend the surplus earnings
of The year in greater quantities OF
fertilizers and larger number of
mules, Indicating the planting of
more extensive acreage in spite OF the
hard lessons of adversity BuE the
general situation seems to be we'll
summed up in a letter from a hi nker
OF the Middle South. who writes
Municipal improvements in the way
OF electric lights. water works aud
schools arc increasing in all directions,
and planters and others who were
willing few years ago to live in
houses without any comforts. now re-
CuirC all modern cJnveniences such as
water. gas. electric lights. musical in
strumerts and intact. everything that
money and culture will demand This
applies 10 people in all walks OF life, of
course however. it is in proportion to
thcir means that these comforts ere
indu!sed in. Compa,iu ne price Of
cotton in 1S9S-s20 t. S25 per bale
with tho average price received by the
planter this year-not less than $50 per
bale on an average-Cotton seed bring
ing 81 TO s6 per ton more than it did
year ago. think you can set it down
that the South will realize for her cot
ton crop and by-products. not counting
tho large number OF bales manufac-
tured into cloth and yarns. at least
$40 .o0t. 900 IL is not only cotton that
We realize upon now. but every manu-
facturing interest that can be thought
of is az present in the South and the
number is being increased almost daily.
gi-ing employment to ali kinds OF la
bor Many OF these industries are car
ri"d on by families The South has
ba"n very free from strikes and this
fact commends ii to those seeking new
homes. Our schools are on good
basis. cur people law-abiding and the
right hand OF fellowship is extended to
every Cne who locates among us. with
or without money. who shows a diSpO-
sitioE 10 work and help build up this
part ot Our great republic"