The leader., 1905-04-29

ISOLATION, is in receipt of the follow
ing letter from one of the largest mer-
/ camille houses in South Mississippi.
April 18th, 1905.
AS the period disposing of the acre
age qeustion appears to have passed,
Or rather, we are passing through it
now, and it will be a matter of statis-
| tics before long. may we trust there
has been a material reduction? We
deem the next important. yea, vital,
/ question before us is the matter of
the cost of producing the cotton crop.
This subject is of such manifest inter-
est to all of us that it should COM
mand the strict attention and constant
thought of every man who has the
best interests of his country at heart.
be he capitalist, banker, professional
man, merchant, farmer or laborer, be-
cause, as we all know, that cotton is
the basic commodity of this, our coun-
try, and ever will be. When cotton
brings a fair or good price, prosper
ity at once dawns upon us. When the
price, as it oftentimes does, declines
to a starvation point. say, below the
cost of production, darkness and dis
aster threatens our South, just as it
did this past winter Therefore. we
say, keep this vital and important
question constantly and uppermost in
your mind; think of it in every bust
ness transaction you make or promise
to make Don't forget that the cost
of producing your crop, together with
the price it will bring is one of the
most important business propositions
in your career. 1t decides your com
mercial standing, financial rating,
your mode of living, and last, but not
least, your peace of mind Remem-
Der well, it is scarcely within our
province to fix the price, but we do
claim that we can and must, to a great
extent, fix the cost of production It
has been accomplished before, when
necessity demanded, We know that
present conditions exact from us now
the same resolutions, care and deter
mination. Hold the stiffest rein you
ever held on everything and every
body within your right, power or juris-
dietion. You can do it if you try.
Curtailment of unnecessary expenses
on every hand, consistent with reason
and judgment, stoppage of wasteful
methods, which are iniquitous and
dangerous. See to it yourself, or by
competent overseer, that your labor
er or hireling puts in a full days
work for his pay Buy only what is
absolutely necessary to make crop.
Buy Injuries only when the profit has
been fully realized. Practice strict
economy on every hand and then, and
only then, are we prepared to meet
the curse of low priced cotton Some
say it is blessing in disguise. but
we fix it as a curse, because it is an
indisputable fact that Scent cotton
pinches nightly when it comes And
we have had this just once again too
often. Make your resolution right
now to produce cotton cheap Don't
loosen your thoughts. Adhere to it in
all seriousness. The old saying that
in times of peace prepare for war"
Is well applicable to our situation, and
might well be paraphrased to read, Sin
times of prosperity prepare for adver-
sity." If the latter comes, you are, in
a measure prepared to meet it; if it
does not, you have simply acted wise
ly and are in luck.
LET nothing cause you to depart
from your resolution of economy, from
your logged determination to quit
anything that TENDS towards waste
fulness and extravaganza. Don't let
any temporary rise in the price dur
ing the summer or early fall change
your ideas. Don't let brilliant pros
pect for yield change you one iota.
Remember, it can all change again in
a week, yea, almost in a day
tGFTbo x,oo,. 1O0d i15ood xr,ce, f.n,,r,1,4
with severe changes, cotton ranging
in value during that short period from
16 cents to 6 cents per pound and the
people totally unfit and unused to
meet such serious and dangerous
condition of affairs, it was extremely
severe IN its teaching and far-reaehing
in effect, thereby all the more les
son never to be forgotten, we hope.
Success is a plain, simple word, but
to achieve it in the true sense means
a strict adherence to the many advicss
we have sought to offer and hundred
more besides Eternal vigilance,
hard labor, close economy, frugal, up
right living. firm and determined
stand for the right. ever guarding
your own rights, and ever mindful of
the privileges and rights of others, 4
will in the end place you in the line
of strict business rules. and in ninety
nine cases out of one hundred lead to
successful and happy results.
In addressing you thus, don't think
for moment that we misjudge the
situation or oyer-picture it. We we'll
know The hardships through which
our country has Just passed, and the
great majority were misled by tempo
rary high prices; it is all the more inn
portant to be watehful and not be
fooled or misled again. We have been
with you in days of brilliant prosper
ity, when our section was all aglow
with achievements and emolunlents
of hign-priced cotton. and can there
fore fully and deeply appreciate the
conditions under present existing try
ing circumstances. and for that reason
alone we deem it a duty and a privi-
lege to address you on subject so
vital to our mutual interests. We
were with you then, we are with you
now, in all that tends to the better
ment, to the uplifting, to the endeaVor
to bring about and maintain prosper
ity, contentment and living values for
our products and cur lands.
We sincerely hope the advice and
suggestions we have taken the liberty
to offer may be accepted by our many
friends, patrons and countrymen IN
the most friendly spirit. We are ever
mindful of the fact that your interests
are ours Your prosperity means that
we should taste part as well. and
earnestly hoping that the present year
and many more to come may find our
section and all others enjoying full
measure Of prosperity. high CONNER
cial standing and happiness, we re-
main, very truly,
IS. BERNHEIlTER & SONS.
Jacob Bernheimer.
The article which appeared IL these
columns some time since calling for
the organization Of one or more old
Tine life Insurance companies III Mis-