Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-01-13
TILLMAN ON COTTON.
Senator Predicts 8 1-2 Cents Within
Ninety Days.


The news from the south that there
is serious talk among the cotton plant
ers of burning a part OF the last crop,
Is startling. In answer to letter,
asking me to comment on the situa-
tion, will say that see no necessity
to burn, and I will briefly give my
reasons.
The law Of supply and demand Is
not at work now in regard to this
staple. During the last twelve months
there has been the most startling rise
in the price of cotton, followed by the
most unexampled fall in the history
of the commodity. From 17a cents in
February to 81 in December, breaks
the record in the cotton market.
Speculation is at the bottom Of the
fall, just as it was behind the phe-
nomenal rise.
There was no good reason for cot
ton ever going to 17a cents. and there
Is absolutely no reason now for cotton
to be selling at 81 cents. That there
is large crop, probably the largest
in the history Of the staple, Is no
longer disputed, but the world needs
every bale Of 1t.
A short while ago the papers were
filled with dark forebodings OF the
disasters threatened to commerce and
the manufacturing industries from
the shortage Of cotton. The English,
German and French spinners were
looking about throughout the colonial
possessions Of those countries for
suitable land to grow cotton to supply
the shortage in the American crop.
Now the price of American cotton
has run below the cost Of production
and many silly people in the south
are talking about burning 1t. The
world needs all Of the cotton that has
been grown this year, and needs it at
fair price to the producer-say 81
cents-which leaves a small margin Of
profit.
A 10,0O0,GO0 bale crop, such as we
grew last year, ought to bring IL
cents, and most Of that crop sold for
that or above. Twelve millions or
IL, 500, 900, which I consider to be the
maximum yield this season, ought not
to sell below cents.
|. Sensible farmers in the south are
holding their cotton. 1t costs too
much to burn 1t.
There is no guarantee that there
will be large crop In 1905, and the
cotton world was never so bare Of cot
ton in it's history as it was the first
Of last September.
predict that cotton will go back to
81 cents inside of 80 days, and there
will be a million bales that will not
come to the market even at that
price.
There is absolutely no need for panic
anywhere, and none but idiots will
burn cotton.
The southern planters are In a bet
ter condition financially than they
have ever been within my recollection.
We have had a good price for cotton
the last two crops. Most men are out
Of debt and have money in the bank.
At least half Of the cotton which
has not yet gone to market Is held by
men who are absolutely independent
and need not sell at all If they do not
wish to do so.
Deduct, then, 100000 or 100000
bales from the last crop to be car
ried over unless the price suits and
it will be seen that the law of sup
ply and demand" will go into force
between now and next summer. The
cotton will not go into sight at the
present price, and l know Of no means
to make men sell who do not want to
and who are not obliged to.
I will say in conclusion that there
will be very little burned, and unless
the price rises between now and April,
there will be a large falling off In
the acreage Of the next crop.
There is nothing to be alarmed
about, and the country will jog along
in the ordinary way after the present
furry passes off.