The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-10-04
CoTT0N WILL 60 HIGHER.

Since the action Of the execu-
tive committee of the Southern
Cotton Growers Association fix
ing the minimum price of cotton
at eleven cents, there has been
a general endorsement all along
the line by the subordinate or
CARNATIONS, and for a while the
effect was an upward tendency
in the price, reaching as high as
10 1-2 cents. The farmers, with
a lack of wisdom that has char
acterized every effort attempted
in their Interests in the past,
rush all the cotton they could
get on to the market, with the
result that the receipts has given
the manipulators the opportu-
nifty to hammer the price down,
but in spite of this and in spite
Of the pessimists who advise
against holding cotton for the
price fixed by the association,
cotton will, and must advance to
a price even higher than that
agreed upon at Asheville. The
present rush cannot last much
longer, there are several reasons
why. There has been a remark:
ably fine harvesting season, and
the staple opened rapidly, the
picking has well advanced, and
in many places the greater por-
tion has already been gathered,
and sold. There was recently
organized in New York a syndi-
cate to buy 100000 bales of
cotton, and this when bought at
present prices will be removed
from the market, taking that
number of bales away to lessen
the supply; warehouses are go
ing up all over the country to
store the cotton and before
another two weeks we look for
the most pressing debts to be
either paid or arranged for, so
that cotton can be held. These
are some Of the reasons we be-
lieve will Influence the price. Then
we have the advantage of the
Chinese boycott being lifted and
American goods once more find
ing markets in the East. we also
have the advantage of mills in
Europe, and America in full op
Grafton with contracts to fill
Then there is a short crop, not
exceeding 60 per cent. of last
year.
The conditions enumerated ex-
ist and should be well known to
all who read and keep up with
the trend of affairs, therefore,
we cannot understand why it is
that men will persist in going
up stream, when they know it is
to their interests to stand solidly
together, working for each 9th
er's good. We do not believe
there is doubt that the organiza-
ton has done good, and if an
organization only partially or
ganized can accomplish this
much, there is no estimating
what can be done if. the farmers
and merchants and bankers will
stand together in solid phalanx.
We have never advised the hold
ing of cotton against creditors,
nor do we do so now, because,
to do so, will be giving advise
which is morally and legally
wrong. but we do advise and
plead with our farmers to make
every possible effort to arrange
with their creditors to hold cot
ton until the price has reached
the associations limit. We are
sure the merchants and bankers
Will render all the aid in their
power to advance the interests
of this movement, and when a
farmer demonstrates a willing
ness to pay his debts, his credi-
tors will help him, but if cred
itor is so circumstance that he
cannot indulge any further, and
must have his money, our ad-
vice is, try to get the money
elsewhere, failing IN that, sell
at present prices and pay out.
There is no doubt in our mind
what the future is going to do
about the price of cotton. The
receipts at the ports will fall off
within the next few weeks, and
the Spectators are beginning to
conceae a short crop, as will be
noted by men travelling about
the country buying cotton; the
foreign manufacturers have be-
come convinced that the reports
of c big crop is a myth, and they
will soon be replenishing their
stock of crude material. With
such an outlook, a man:must be
blind who cannot see higher
prices ahead, and worse than
foolish if he stands aloof from
those who are earnestly and
faithfully making this great
Southern movement a live, ac-
tive and important commercial
issue, an issue that will give to
toilers in a scorching sun a fair
remuneration for their toll, and
one that will elevate thei profes
sion Of farming to a dignity to
encourage our young men to
stick to the farm, and not be en-.