The watchman and southron. (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, March 17, 1897, Image 7
The Cotton Acreage.
S-; Tbe "Cotton Growers* Associati
is again making commendable efib
to keep the cotton acreage for tl
gtyear within reasonable limits, a
with this view, has called three cc
ventions of cotton growers, one
be held at Waco, Tex , ou Monda
i
March Sth ; the second at M em pb:
Teen, Wednesday, March 10th, ai
;> tba third at Augusta, Ga., Monda
March 15th. The first of these
forthe cotton growers cf Texas ; tl
second for the cotton growers or tl
M isa is ss i pp i valley, and the third f
those of the South Atlantic States
east of the Mississippi.
The selection of those points, t
distributed io the cotton growin
sections, was that the planters migl
conveniently attend them withoi
incurring the expense of a lon
journey. In this way it is expecte
that more planters will be able *
attend, and-the meetings be prodnc
tive of better results, lt might bav
: been a good idea if a meeting of th
planters of each cotton growin
State were called to be held soo
after the meeting of these couvei
tions to d?8CUS8 abd put into opers
tion such plans as may be decide*
jtupon by them.
In calling these conventions Mi
Hector, D. Laue, of Georgia, Presi
dent of tbe Association, has issued
forcible and timely address giving
Ube reasons why there should be con
cert of action among planters on th<
important subject of'the acreage W<
herewith present part of the address
issued by a mao who not only com
prebends .the situation bot compre
hends the remedy and is very eames!
ia the effort to have it applied. He
says.
"That the environments of the cot?
ton growers are becomiog more inimi*
; cal to their interests each succeeding
season, is discouragingly apparent ; thal
the encroachments upon our commercial
rights are becoming more piratical in
their character, is not only appreciated
bot condemned by all rigSt minded
men who recognize the right and privi?
lege of legitimate commercial meth?
ods, aod the obtuseness of the Southern
planter in failing io observe, aod his
subserviency io submitting to these ills
that are being inflicted upon him Hy
this scourge io the hands of this reck?
less class of speculative gamblers, is
encouraging them io their pernicious
methods, is rendering him pitiable in
the eyes of the world and subjecting
him to the obloquy of being both stu?
pidly ignorant of his interests and ig?
nominiously servile in his forbearance.
"As is usual at this s eason the cot?
ton 'bear' is again io evidence, hewing
down prices to the very lowest notch,
using all the sophistry that bis cunning
oas devise aod all the artifice that he
can so ingeniously iovent to hammer
values down to less than living prices.
They are thoroughly indifferent to nor?
mal conditions and reek little to the
common weal. They are sowing the
seed of inoipient communism in fields
io which it is an unknown and an un?
natural growth. They would exult
over four cent cotton a 3d would con
tribute their active aid in pressing it
dowo to the lowest point regardless of
the sorrow and destitution that would
prevail throughout the South under
such conditions
.*A* this ti rn ? Int year they were an?
ticipating matters by industriously circu?
lating reports that it was the intention
of the Southern cotton grower to enor?
mously increase the acreage whioh they
gleefully stated would result ia the
production of from eleven to twelve
million bale^. Like fabrications are
agaio being circulated by them with
tb.3 hops of %8h?:iag future values.
**Tbe Southern planter has the power
to checkmate these reckless despoilers
of our prosperity by manly and intelli?
gent action. The ooly remedy is to
'fight the devil wich 5re,' meet organi?
zation with organization.
"Bo not b3 led into the error that
you can combat this power without sys
teojatic organization. Yon cam
deceive the great firms that bay yt
product They have their emissar
io every town and village ; they ?
ever scrutinizing your actions a
know more in regard to the gene:
I conditions than you can possibly fi
j out.
"Destroy tbe annual surplus of c<
too that is the active coadjutor of t
cotton 'bear.* This can be accomplis
ed by increasing the acreage of fo
crops and consequential the judicio
diminishing -of cotton aoreage. Y<
will be better off with a seven millie
bale crop selling at ten cents, suppl
mented by ample food crops, tban wii
a ten miUion baie crop selling at fr
cents
i
"Tbe world spends about three bm
dred and thirfy five million dollars ai
n aal ly for American cotton. If *
make a seven million bale crop the
mn after us for our product If .**
make a ten million bale crop, We fa
over ourselves to sell it to them.
"Tbe ten million bale crop of.*9
and '95 brought the South in roun
numbers two hundred and eighty-nio
million dollars. The seven and a ba
million bale crop of '93 and '9
brough in round numbers two hendre
and ninety-three million dollars.
"The seven million bale crop of '9
and '96 brought two hundred an?
nioety-two and one-quarter million dol
lars, demonstrating the fact that a smal
crop brings more money irrespective o
acreage used for food crops and th
labor and money expended oo a large
acreage.
"Our only hope of protection lies ii
intelligent concert of action. W<
should keep ourselves informed of eroj
conditions, amount of production, etc,
throughout the cotton area. Then bj
systematic and judicious marketing o
our crops we can realize inestimable
benefits that never can be secured per?
manently otherwise "
The history of the cotton move
ment will bear out his assertion that
a small crop will bring the planters
more money than a large crop, foi
every bale raised in excess of the
world's demand for consumption ex?
erts just that much influence in pull?
ing down and keeping d^wn the
price of the crop grown. There is,
as Mr. Lane says, no use of the
planters trying to deceive the buy?
ers of cotton, whether legitimate
buyers for consumption or buyers
for speculation, for in these days of
mail facilities and telegraphs they
keep thoroughly posted on the acre
age, crop prospects and crop move
metas and know more about them
than 999 planters out of 1,000 do.
Through their agents and corres
pondents they keep a close watch on
the crop while the planters are busy
killing grass, and cultivating the
crop. They not only keep thorough
ly informed as to the crop and crop
prospects in this country, but also in
other countries, and thus have the
world's crop under their eyes Prices
are based not only on the cropv in
sight but often on the prospective
crop, and therefore if a large acreage
be anticipated prices go down, and
if a small acreage they go up Some
time ago it was announced that there
would be an increased acreage this
year, and prices fell. Let the buy?
ers become satisfied that the next
crop will be small and the prices will
go up, not only for the coming crop,
but for what remains unsold of this
crop. A seven or a six million bale
crop (which would be better than
seven) for a few years would make
the planters masters of the situation
and put them solidly on their feet.
But this is something in which not
only the cotton growers but the
whole South, in fact the whole coun?
try, is interested, for if the Southern
planter prospers the South will pros
per, and every business carried on in
it will be benefitted, and when the
South prospers then tho North which
sells manufactured goods, machinery,
&c, to the South, will be benefit?
ted.
For these reasons we hope that the
planters of the South will see it as
the Association dees and respond to
the sensible and forcible appeal of
President Lane, who is leading them
io the broad road of independence. ./
Fewer cotton acres and more food?
stuff acres ought to be the maxim of
every cotton planter, whether he
plant many or few acres.-Wilming?
ton Star.
A North Dako farmer claims that
strips of newspaper soaked in sour milk
and fed to hens greatly increases their
laying qualities.
In Boston.-"Browning, dear/' said
Mrs Emerson to her husband, "what
is a cutaneous pastime?"
"A cutaneous pastime, love? I
never heard of soch a thing.7'
"Well, I beard two men on the
street car talking, and one of them
spoke of a skin game *'-Brooklyn
Life.
The governor has ordered the elec?
tion for Cherokee county officials and
State senator to be held cn the 27th
inst. ' This wa? done in compliance to
the mandares cf the Constitution and
the act recently passed creating Cher?
okee county. From what can be
beard none of the offices will go unfill?
ed for lack of, candidates.
Charleston, March 9 -The alleged
filibustering steamer Bermuda is sop
posed to be somewhere off Charleston,
and ir is understood that an attempt
will be made tonight to put on board a
cargo of arm*, ammuoirion and provi?
sions from this city in lighters. A
lighter load was expected to be carried
out early ro-oight, but thc presence cf
the monitors Amphirrite and Terror
just off the bar using their search lights
is supposed to have caused a postpon
ment.
Serious riots have occurred in the
S'ate of Bahia. Brazil, within the last
two weeks, and the rioters have had the
better of the encounters with the
troops.
Gov Ellerhe bas pardoned William
Johnson, colored, who was convicted in
1895 and sentenced to fifteen years io
the penitentiary for wrecking a train
at Kingsville. * The conviction was
obtained on the evidence of a private
detective who secured a reward. The
Judge and Solicitor recommended the
pardon
Louisville, Ky., March 9 -The rain
srorm io this section continues Ad?
vices from Bedford, Ind . says the
damage in that section wi? reach ?2,
000.000 All the country ronds nave
been washed out and bridges swept
away. The railroads have suffered in
a like ajjiiuer and it will rake 10 days
to repair the damage. Farm lands
have been so badi? washed that raising
crops is out of the question this year.
M. Skoutes, Greek minister of for?
eign affairs, has sent a telegram in re?
sponse to numerous oiFers of Eoglish
meo to take up arms in the Greek
cause, saying that only Greeks are ad?
mitted to the Greek army
The N. Y Mutual Life Insurance
company ha- purchased ?t par a $1,
000.000 issue, of Georgia Railroad five
per "bent bonds
Montgomery, Ala , March 9 -On
Saturday 'ast, at the home of the Hon.
Joshua O Kelly, in Madison Cmnty,
by some unexplained way poison got
ioto a pot of coffee which the family
u?ed for dinner Shortly afterwards
Mr. Kelly, his wife, a young man who
was present and several negroes were
attacked wirh symptoms of poisoning.
Mr. Kelly died in a short time, but the
balance of tho afflicted ones were not
seriously affected . Another unexplain?
ed mystery in connection with tbe same
affair has transpired. Eleven relatives
and friends who spent the day and
night with Mr Kelly's remains were
taken ill witn spmptoms of poisoning,
but none are in a serious conditioo.
The doctors are mystified.
DELICATE ' Should Use
FEMALE
REGULATOR.
IT IS fl SUPERB TONIC and
exerts a wonderful influence in
strengthening her system by
driving through the proper chan?
nel ali impurities. Health and
strength are guaranteed to result
?rom its use.
My wife was bedridden for eighteen months,
after using BK AD FI KL D'S FEMALE REGU?
LATOR for two months i* setting well.
J. M. JOHNSON, Malvern, Ark.
BRADFIELD REGULATOR CO.. ATLANTA. GA.
Sold by all Druggists at ?j 1.00 per bottle.
THE VALUE cf a NAME depends upon
its reputation, won bj deeds, not words
The Stitff Piano h?3 received diplomas and
awards without number. But it stands
to-day, as it has done for or<r OH If a century,
upon ns own ro.-rits Ar.d, whiist this has
been true, there h*8 been r.o ptfjudice of the
makers against new ideas of r?ftl merit.
The universal verdict bj those who are tne
most competent Jadges is th., it ?3 impossible
to ic prove upon the ridmtss of its tone.
.STANDARD ORGANS.
Terto3 to suit you. S?cd for Illustrated
Catalog.
CHARLES M. STIEFF,
baltimore-9 N. Linerrj ?t.
WH;h?DgtoD-52l Eleventh St. N. W.
~':"^??$f?<ti* 50 YEARS'
< &... '
.;-V? TRADE MA*?K;S,
' . . . 1 DECORS,
COPYRIGHTS Ac.
?-\ . * - < - - '. ? ; ";o-ch ar.d rtss-. r :;-r:on may
Q? f-e'a, whether t:i . .vent i on is
Pi"';-. 1.> ? Coiua?n:iitia?!aa.; strictly
(' . ! : . . J. .* !.-e:.cy for fencer: h ? patents
??' '. ? '<. -VJ V. Wv.1 .. ?. f>iT?CO.
?ii)*... :^'h Sic..: ?z Lu rcceivo
M.'-'J ?i;i.-J..:Ljx:?',
r:?->.,' . ... .........i^ ]-rr,.-.t; rtrcmiation of
r;;/ . . ,.- tveek'y.tc.-jjio.C.'! a year;
i>i^wi.i. Mctir.ja. >p?>oi??!<'n conies and ?Li>'D
Boo^ cs jfAT?STs seat free. Address
MUNN & co.,
361 Broadway, New York.
Land Surveying.
H. D. MOISE, will give prompt attention
to calls for survevicg and platting land Can
be fouod at bis off.ee, next door to office o
Lee and Moise. Sumter, S. C.
Nov. 18.
BEAUTY HATH CHARMS
and all the charms which beau?
ty likes best to don are shown
in our grand display of fash?
ionable jewelry for this season.
Jewels like these would en?
hance the charms of the most
fascinating belle, and surely no
fair one would despise such
brilliant aids to her beauty.
Like personal loveliness, they
conquer admiration on sight ;
they score new victories at ev?
ery inspection. Those who
look over our stock do not
willingly stop with examina?
tion. Beauty may now be
made ea'.iiy irresistible by a
few judicious purchases from
our display of up to date jew?
elry.
L. W. FOLSOM,
Jeweler and Optician,
SIGy OF THE BIG WATCH,
Oct. 16.
D. M. YOUNG,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
Prompt attention to all business entrusted
to him. Office on Court House >qoarr, in
Blanding office
SUMTER RESTAURANT?
Reduced Prices
Regular Meals 25cts,
Private Dining Room for Ladies
Dec. 30
OOLUMBI?S ?ND VICTORS
SIS OND HAND
Columbias and
Yictors.
1893 models S30
1394 models S35
1835 models $40 to $50
Satisfaction guaran?
teed on everv wne.:l
sold bv rae.
D. JAS. WINN.
NEW WHEELS
Columbias - and
Haitfords.
169G Co! i. a9 $ 85
1897 " sieo
?897 Hartford, $ 50
Satisfaction guarac
leed on every wheel
sold bv me.
Jiffies Change
in
?o^?<>K)?<>fco4o++cr^ stationery *
Styles Change
With the season, and
a person may as well
wear a last winters
style in clothes or
hats* this Spring, as
to use old style Sta
+o+Q+Cr^<>Q*<)+Q<x>t<yw tionery.
The Newest Stationery
Is the Prettiest and Cheapest
Ever offered, and there is no excuse for
using old and inferior paper, while a fall stock
of the latest papers are always to be had at
The Book Store.
OFFICE SUPPLIES,
BLANK BOOKS,
PERIODICALS, ETC.
Liberty Street.
THE COLUMBIAN CYCLOPEDIA,
35 Volumes 7,500 Illustrations 28.600 Pages,
Complete and Up to Date.
Include* nu Urint>ri?it?fd Dictionary.
It-.fuici?I!< v R ?tn Doun to Date.
Yo?: cnn keep Up ?o the : "?mes by adding
HTI A 'Mihi ?Hell * ear.
The !ar?est American Cyclopedia.
Pronounces ail Tides.
Volumes of Handy S?ze.
Forcis bes the Largest and Ln'-est M: ps.
No other ty cloped;* H?en pretence to elaina the;e fea -.ur ?s, bu? don't you think they are
nret'v irciporcant? Send ?3 your nime -.nd ?et ns??h??* you i" detail 'ht? various points of
s-ipi-rioruy possessed t?y THE COLUMBIAN, li corers 'hf? ?hot? r?og- of knowledge; is
prepped hy the most ablear.d espetfenctd editors M?I? C.-citiedi>? writers, and is commended
hy the nest judges throughout the country.
'The Best Family Library.
Because it is clear and simple in language, free from technicalities, non
partisan and non sectarian, and above all Neither "British" nor Sectional
but
Thoroughly American,
A work of rfference which is foreign or narrowly sectional h?s no place in an Americac
Ho te.- Sold on easy terms of pa\ mer. t.
G-arretson, Cox & Co., Publishers,
BUFFALO, N. V.
For full descriptive circulars and \ mU Pnlmnn?QTl TDrnV Pn \ 81 Whitehall St.
terms send to our Southern ?-er,ts / {]% UulUUlUJClli JjlUiL UU., I Atlanta Ga.
^ ^ ^^^^^^^^^ ' ? ^ ^^^^ '
Fine Buggies- Surreys and Carriages.
Do yon wan't a nie? Vehicle to ride in this Spring. If yon do, call on me and examine my stock, I have a large
?V.d weilseiected Slock of Baggies Sarre?*. Carriages, etc., and my prices are as low as thc lowest.
Office at Epperson's Stables.
>