The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-09-25
8DlTORIAL.. -. -. .,......
PII4IAAGING THE SOUTH.

away with a few hundred thousand
dollars Il Is heralded far and wide as
y nonstrous crime; when New York
bank oflcial steals nifty or q hundred
tho.snd dollars and spends IL buying
diamonds and dissy clothes for his
~smnity'' there is no end OF sensation
ei news stories telegraphed the length
and breadth Of the land: but just
nov. while the most gigantic and
scandalous robbery OF the age Is going
on day after dap. Il creates no world
Wide ssnsatiou and little notice H. tals-
en- Of L. save In the South. the domi-
nils Of those being deprived OF q sum
spproximatins two hundred million
dollars.
The estton crop this year probably
Amounts to 100000 bales. and It is
worth hftecn cents a pound. II the
current quotations on cotton gods for
inmsdiats or future delivery are se-
ecpted AZ a basia Of value.
The mills Of America and Europe,
anticipating q short crop. In comparfs'
con with the nee ds of the cotton con-
snming vcrld. and expecting high
prices foe raw cotton. fixed the price
Cor the Manufactured product 80 as
o issvs z isfs'ctory margin of pro-
q between raw COTTON q 1s toS1s
. ss..s 'ns the selling pae' of the
A majority Of the mills are sold.
uoaths ahead and the demand for
eetton goods is 20 Sreat. even at prevail
aAs high prices. that the mills decline
absolutely to make 'any' eoncessioa in
Dr1cs to the Largest. buyers. nowith.
sanding that cotton Il 10 selling for
aboet four cents less than the price It
s1ouid command to be on q parity
with the current prices OF cloth.
Two weeks ago cotton sold for ~
"a - ~ l-3 cents. because many of
fhs miliA bsiag bare Of cotton. were
forced Go get II at any price TO nn
tAcir orders. but. immediate necessi-
Mes having been supplied. and the
tArmers showing no disposition to
hold their cotton for Is cents. It's fair
~,alue. the process OF hammering down
fha price was begun, and II has been
continued day after day with relent-
less persistence that only a monu-
unental greed could inspire. Today
cotton Is selling for $40 bale less
than II was two weeks ago; and. un-
1ess the bankers and merchants and
other moneyed riep Of the South
quickly come to a realizing sense OF
the veritabie pillage of the country
that is going on before their very
eyeS and. Joining forces with the farm
ers. advise. encourage and aid them.
60 withhold from the market every
bale of cotton until the mills at home
and abroad. whose very existence is
dependent upon securing a supply OF
American cotton. shalt pay the real
value Of this years crop. cotton will
% lower and still lower.
The prosperity OF the South Is In
The hazard and II Is stake worth
hghting for. Fifteen cents for cot
ton means twenty million dollars more
ep the farmers OF South Carolina than
eleven cents. or two hundred and SIX
ty millions To- the south. This is the
mighty food OF wealth that vii. pour
into the pockets of the spectators.
middle men and mills IL the price of
cotton Is kept at eleven cents. and ev-
err penny OF u belongs rightfully to
tho farmers OF the south.
The mills. having sold their output
months ahead, the price being fig
urcd on basis OF fifteen cents cot
eon. are assured OF their legitimate
prof,t. which we would not wish them
so 'oscs but greei-crazed by the stu
penaous1css OF the spoil To be- obtain
ed ~ piundcring the South. they are
reaching out avaricious hands to
seixs the farmers rightfui share of
The profits OF the coCton crop.
We would rejoice to see every bale
of cotton withheld from the market
until the price advanced To fifteen
cents
The crop of 1907 Is worth fifteen
oentS and every man who put a year
ef his life and strength into the max
ing OF II. Is paying that price and
more. and a great big margin OF profit
Sesides. 10 the manufacturer for every
pound he buys In the shape OF cotton
cloth Cotton Is worth fifteen cents.
and there Is no reason under heaven
= fDr hts selling for less. except the VIII
Ainous rapacity OF those who are en-
yiehed by buying the raw cotton cheap