Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1906-08-02

Some time since. or soon after the
organization Of this department, the
writer took upon himself the work of
sscertaining what, If anything, had been
done toward broadening of the field for
sot,o1 and cotton goods consumption.
After three months OF investigation and
extensive correspondence, it would seem
that, while desultory efforts along this
line had been made from time to time,
little had been accomplished in the way
OF an organized effort to put into use
plans that might accomplish s,..s great
end. A clause in the law creating the
department says that the Commissioner
shall do something like this, but, not un-
like several other clauses, no appropria-
tion Was made to enable him to do any
thing along the line indicated. Alissis-
sippi is not unlike other States in this
respect 1t is found that a number Of
Commissioners would gladly take up the
work If funds were available, and more
than one will make special efforts when
the legislators meet again to have this
deficiency supplied 1t is to be hoped
that success will crown this effort, and
that soon we will see the cotton States
represented in foreign countries by men
who are competent to popularize and Gre
ate demand for cotton goods.
The officers of the Mississippi division
OF the Southern Cotton Association are
greatly interested in this movement, and
have pledged aid ~ far as possible to
push it TO . successful termination Pres
,dent Clark has on more than one occa-
sion 50 expressed himself to the writer,
and some time since suggested that the
Commissioners of Southern STATES hold a
conference looking to the formulation of
plans whereby the desired end might
bs accomplished. The Commissioner Of
every Southern State has been written
concerning the matter, and eight out Of
the twelve have already expressed . de-
side to aid the movement heartily. 1t
will be made q subject of special i'm
Portance at the meeting Of Cotton
States Association Agricultural Commits
sioners" that will hold their eighth an
nual session at Jacksonville, Fla, some
time in November. By concerted move
ment it is hoped that something can be
done that it would be impossible for the
States to do by individual action
The experience of past years forcibly
brings to the front the need of work
along this line The supply has been
little more than the demand, and the
consequence, q slump in the price of cot
ton that took away all of the profit and
placed the farmer on the verge of bank
ruptcy. The Cotton Association stepped
into the breach and began = campaign Of
reduction in acreage that was success
ful, but at the same time the officials Of
the association realized that il would
lie better to increase the demand and al
low each farmer to plant all the cotton
that he could cultivate and gather; hence
the demand for = campaign Of education
TO increase the consumption Some one
has said that IL each Chinamsn would
add one inch to the length of his shiit
tail that several million more bales
would be required to supply the de-
mand- Then why not inangurate = cam
paign for longer shirt tails, A large
field for such work Is offered in . mum
Der of warm countries where the use Of
our cotton goods has not As yet attained
proportions The inhabitants know hit
tie or nothing about it and il is suggest
ed that they be taught that it is good
and economical covering for the body A
new cereal food 10 introduced by demon
stration in the stores and cooking stoves
are made popular by expert operators in
public places. Why not introduce cotton
goods by methods similar,
With the impetus that can be given
the movement by concerted action ON the
part of the Commissioners from cotton
States, the assistance that can Be rem
dered by the Cotton Association, the