The Columbus weekly dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 1902-1905, 1905-02-02
THE COTTON GROWERS CONVEN-
TON

attended, and admirably con-
Quoted cotton convention which
assembled in New Orleans the
past week has adjourned. All OF
the speeches have been made, all
If the resolutions have been
adopted and the delegates have
returned home satisfied with the
results of their labOrs. AS a
means of manifesting to the world
the widespread interest the
South feels in the present cotton
situation the convention was
distinct success for it was at
tended by as fine body of men
as ever assembled together 10
any cause. But what did 1T do
towards solving the cotton prob
lem?
It suggested an admirable
remedy it is true. the only rem
edv. the reduction of the acre
age to be devoted to the culture
of cotton this year. 1t provided
for the welding together of the
cotton growers OF the
South iuto a great organization
to carry out the plans proposed
and then it adjourned. But Will
the work of the convention result
in accom- plishing the end 1t is
aimed at? This is the question.
The DISPATCH cOnfesses that
it doubts very seriously If any
material change IN the planting
plans of the South will result
from this convention. There
were a few thousand delegates
present. many ot whom were not
cotton planters. They repre-
seated allied interests it is true,
but many of the delegates them
selves are pOwerless to reduce
acreage for they have no acreage
to reduce, and they are placed in
the attitude of the fellow who is
advising his neighbOr what to do.
Suppose that all of the delegates
were cotton growers and relig
iOusly adhered to the agreement.
Is it to be supposed for an in
slant that their resolutions are
binding upon the thousands and
thousands of cotton growers
throughout the South whose
whole system of farming is bas-
ed upon growing cotton? Are
these merchants and rentOrS and
crop sharers going to undo the
arrangements of years and cause
d revolution of their system of
agriculture in order tOecarry out
resolutions adopted in New Or
leans? We doubt it most seri-
ously.
1t would not be surprising If
the cotton conven ton resulted IN
great and irreparable injury to
the cotton growers. There are
many who will assume that
substantial reduction of acreage
will take place and will increase
their acreage accordingly, in the
hope of selling a larger crop at
the advanced price which others
will cause. Thus it will be seen
that what little reduction occurs
will be followed by an increase
wholly out of proportion to 1T.
The truth Is the controlling of
the price of cotton is not within
the reach of resolutions and or
CARNATIONS. If small area was
interested, the question Of an or
ganization and control of the
situation would be a different
master, but where the cotton
growing country extends over
such a vast area and EN- braces so
many millions of people operating
under differing conditions, any
plan to 60 ltrOl the price by any
one system applying alike to all
is impracticable If this was not
true the wheat growers, the cane
growers and the tobacco growers
would have com bined long ago.
The price of cotton is regulated
by the law of supply and demand
Just as the price of every other
commodity is regulated. When