Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-11-01
WESTON SAYS HOLD.
Appeal to the South Carolina Cotton
Growers Association.

Growers Association.
Mr.. Francis H. Weston, secretary OF
the South Carolina division of the
Southern Cotton Growers association,
has sent out the following appeal to
the farmers Of the state to stand firm:
I'm view Of the fact that cotton-up-
on which the prosperity Of the state
Is dependent-has fallen from Is cents
at the opening to about 10 cents today
and its tendency seems still downward,
/ deem 1t my duty as secretary OF the
Southern Cotton association, South
Carolina division, to make this appeal
on behalf of the business interests OF
South Carolina
1.-The loss to the state on account OF
this depreciation in cotton can hardly
be realized; loss Of $15 to the Dale'
or-in case the state Of South Carolina
makes one million bales OF cotton,
SIS, 900, 900, far more than the assessed
value Of the property OF most any
county in the state.
The decline in the price OF cotton
can be partially explained by the ex-
traordinarily tight money market,
which has been prevalent in certain
sections Of the United States for sew
eral months. But an examination OF
the stock market will convince you
that the depreciation in cotton, which
has an intrinsic value, has been great
er than that Of any stocks whose val
ues are largely speculative.
This downward tendency Of cotton
can be checked only in one way, and
that Is to withdraw the cotton from
the market. To continue to offer II
for sale under these circumstances Is
but to assist those who are hammer
ing the price Of cotton down. A SOUTH
ern man who will sell his cotton under
these circumstances, except under the
most pressing necessity, Is nothing
more or less than traitor to his coun-
try; his position Is that OF the con-
temptible East Indian who allied him.
self with the English to shoot down
his own people and assist in conquer
ing his country.
For the producers to have a voice
in fixing the price Of his product Is
a proposition so fair, so just and so
equitable that no right thinking per-
son can oppose it. This Is all the far
mers desire or hope for. We are pass
ing through a crisis in the history OF
the south. If its prosperity Is to con-
tinue, the nrice of cotton must be kept
up. In this fight we can not, like the
stock gamblers Of Wall street, expect
aid from the treasury Of the United
States, but we must make this fight
upon our own resources. In fact, 1t Is
the policy of those high in the financial
world to depress the price Of cotton In
order that the foreign consumer may
bring his money and purchase the cot
ton in the south and relieve the imam
cial situation in Wall street.
They tell us that the farmers OF
Texas are demoraliZed. l have be-
fore me a dispatch from the Farmers
association in Texas to the effect that
they are not selling their cotton, but
expect to hold to the last ditch.
You cannot help the situation Dy
selling your cotton; the only thing you
can do Is to withdraw every bale OF
cotton from the market until its down.
ward course Is checked. The mills ac-
tually need every bale you produce, and
If you are loyal to yourself and to the
best interests Of the south, you VIII
hold your cotton and receive better
prices"