The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1906-03-14
FIFTEEN CENT COTTON

senting Voice, unanimously en-
dOrsed the resolution to hold the
balane@ of the unsold portion OF
the present crop for fifteen cents
per pound, basis middling, at the
ports.
The Executive Com mittee Of the
Southern Cotton Association, in an
nual session at New Orleans, Janu.
ary 18th, 1906, also unanimously
endorsed the action Of the Conven-
ton relative to the fifteen cen ts res
olution. Representative Of South
ern Bankers, who Assem- bled at New
Orleans during the Cotton Conven.
ton, passed strong resolutions
guaranteeing the moral and finapci
al support of southern banks IN the
present effort of the Southern Cot.
ton Association to secure fifteen
cents tor the balance cf the crop
The fight is now on TO u fiuish be.
tween the sput holders and friends
OF higher prices, backed by south.
ern bank, rs, and The Bear spe;ula-
tors, spinncrs and enemies to fair
aud equitable prices. The lines
are plainly drawn, and friend or
foe will be quickly recognized by
tho voice, pen or position taken.
We are dealing with a product
worth many hundred Of million OF
do'!als annually, distributed, in its
raw and in its mAnufac turrd form,
throug ghout the entire civilized
world. The producers Of this most
valuable product cf southern soils
have been The slaves and seris of the
commercial and consuming world
for naar!y half century. Southern
Cotton growers, tiuanced by their
local banks, are gradually working
revolution in the old system OF
marketing their staple
Short crops and fairly good
prices from 1900 to 1904, freed the
southern growers generally from
the lash of mortgages and credit.
Increasing the food supply crops,
has been an important factor in de
volopment Of that independence
and thrift which should character.
ize every farm. For these reasons,
it made possible the handling OF the
great crop Of 1905, on a profitable
basis to the growers against the
combined organized brain and
money of the world. 1t is for these
1easone, together with advanced
thought, study, and better knowl-
edge of legitimate eupply and de
mand of cotton, that will enable the
spot holders of cotton in the south,
to demand and enforce higher prices
for the balance of this crop than
are at present prevailing. 1t has
not been denied thatspinners could
have paid twelve cents to the farm
ers, for the entire crop OF 1906. and
declared good dividends on their
Investment, at the prevailing high
prices of yarns and dry goods. 1t
cahnot be denied that Bear apecu-
lators, backed by the spinners took
advantage Of the necessities Of the
farmers in September and October,
and forced prices down to 81 cents
per pound, buying in fully one.half
Of the crop around ten conts. If
the balance Of the crop now held.
and which does not exceed $780,
600 bales, Is sold at fifteen cents per
pound. the whole crop would 20 to
the buyers and splnners at an aver
age price to the farmers, under 12
ctnts per pound. Where is the ex.
nrDitant demands of the farmers?
lfthe cotton is worth it, why should
not the producer be entitled to re-
ceive it's full value2 Those gentle-
mon who are raising such a howl
about IL cent and Is cent cotton,
were es silent as the grave when
cotton was selling at 6 cents.
STAND BY THE PRICE.
Stand firm for fifteen cents. Sell
your cotton at that price, and do
not undertake to force the market
still higher. Our position is based
upon equity and fairness, and no
effort should be made to 20 beyopd
that. Let us be fair with the sLin-
nerN; ana III making sales let it be