The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-02-23

! This would in no wise affect the spin
ming industry, but would secure to the
farmers a price commensurate with
the value Of their staple.
Every interest that could be com
bined against that proposition has
been made as effective as possible.
But if the farmers had all acted to-
gether during the past two months
and tied up the market all over the
south the fight would have been whip
+ ped The farmers generally in the
eastern cotton belt have been true and
faithful, and as was the case one year
ago. they will yet be rewarded if they
the combined brain and money Of the
world. It is desperate struggle for
supremacy and if the farmers win
they will become a recognized power
| in fixing cotton prices in the future
If we lose our power will be minimiz-
| ed again and it will be difficult to re-
store confidence.
Our future as we'll as the present is
involved, not only individually. but
collectively. There will be a tre-
mendous shortage Of cotton during
the next few months and this will be
especially noted when we go into
March and compare this years re-
ceipts at the ports with the enormous
receipts that came into sight during
March, April, May and June Of last
year: Last year at this time we had
nearly five million bales cf cotton on
hand. This year we have but little
over two million bales. The crop has
been sold at what we consider fairly
good prices as compared with previ-
Gus years and the people ought to be
plenty able to hold up the balance and
force the consuming world to pay its
full value. This can and will be done
if spot holders will do it.
Stop Selling.
Why should the selling Of cotton
continue so unabated9 For six years
we managed to live some how on six
cents cotton. Our banks are now
plentifully supplied with money, no
necessity exists for continuous selling
and every sensible reason exists for
checking sales. The fight now on is
against every farmer in the south.
Every man should do all in his
power to show the true spirit Of
southern manhood and stand Loyalty
bv his neighbors. If your cotton is
worth 13 or Is cents at the present
price of dry goods. You are not stand
ing by your family unless you force
the buying world to pay that price.
I have challenged spinners and buy.
ers to deny that cotton has not been
worth II cents for several months and
the only reply can get is: "What is
the use to offer IA cents when we can
buy what we need from farmers and
merchants at II cents?" But for the
intense fight which We have waged for
higher prices during the past three
months and the cooperation Of thous-
ands of farmers who have held back
their cotton, prices would have been
down to 8 and s cents before this.
There is no chance now for future de-
preston Of any magnitude, but every
thing in favor Of an advance. 1t the
New York syndicate can get options
on 100000 bales middling cotton they
will be in position to control the SIT
uation, because they can hold that
amount of cotton off the market and
make it powerful factor IN advance
inc still further the price Of cotton
held back for Is cents. Of course.
any proposition looking to the back
inc of the farmers will be rldlculed
bv certain people who want all such
efforts to fail. The bulk Of the COM
mercial and industrial world wants
the producers held down to their way
of thinking and doing.
Everything is in our favor if We
will only stand together and act to-
sether. Present low prices cannot be
held down by Wall street spectators
and spinners much longer.
Harvie Jordan