VOL XI. NO. 5
CORNERING THE
REGAL PLANT
Cotton Yields to no Pro
duct --- Makes United
States a Creditor Na
tion--"Spot" and "Fu
ture" Cotton--Not All
Trading Wild Specula
tion.
Although less necessary to man's
life than wheat, cotton yields to fio
product in prestige and power. The
very basis of the world's dominant
industry, the one crop for which
nature has provided no substitute,
whose value can be told onlv in
terms of billions, it touches, literally
and figuratively, all races and
climes. It is the regal plant; "the
world waits in attendance upon its
growth—it is gold trom the instant
it puts forth its tiny shoot—its fiber
is current in every bank." With
out it, the United States would be
a debtor nation rather than a credi
tor nation 111 the world's commercial
clearing house; with it, we wield a
commanding agricultural suprem
acy.
Small wonder that about tlrs
prfncelv staple man should have
Created an empire of speculation
along-ide of which the manipula
tion of wheat is a small affair. To
the long and shifting story of cor
ners, cotton has contributed its
most stupendous episodes. As with
the other coirinoditie> v there is the
same fateful repitition of corner
history. Only 111 very rare in
stances has cotton been actually
cornered, and then the gain piled
up by the successful coup has in
variably been lost in the next opera
tion More ofteu we encounter the
familiar aud mournful record of
failure aud loss.
While tlit methods employed in
running acoruer in the great South
ern staple do not differ materially
from those used in wheat and corn,
there are some distinctive features
of the cotton market that should be
explained before going into the
specific deals.
If all cotton could be traded in
as stocks are traded in, be "clear
ed" and actually delivered, there
would be no corpefs unless one
man bought -flt> a whole crop for
cash. Since this would take many
hundreds of millions of dollars, it
would be next to impossible. But
the fact that so called "futures" in
cotton are sold on the cotton ex
changes makes it possible for the
speculator to buy options or con
tracts for future delivery, thus
creating a colossal structure for
manipulation.
.The future, or option, in cotton
is a contract to buy or sell. It is
called an option because the cottou
contracted for is deliverable, at the
option of the seller, at anv time
during the month for which it is
called a future becouse, in the great
majority of cases, the contract calls
for delivery at some future time.
The unit of contract trading is one
hundred bales, aggregating fifty
thousad pounds. The three great
theaters of cotton trading are the
New York Cottou Exchange, which
really fixes the prices; the New
Orleans Cottou Kxchance, and the
Liverpool Cotton Kxchange.
Two kinds of cotton —' 'spot" and
"future"—are traded in. "Spot"
cotton is sold by sample, and is
actually delivered. This corres
ponds to cash wheat, and goes to
the manufacturer, who is techni
cally known in the trade as the
spinner. "Future" cotton is the
medium of all speculation, and
makes corners possible.
There are thirty-two grades of
cotton, but the standard grade
gpecfied in contracts is "middling.''
All cotton is above or below "mid
dling." It is traded -in, terms of
prfce per ponqd. During the Civil
Ji ..A •
THE ENTERPRISE
War, wheu the Southern produc
tion was suspended, the price lose
as high as a dollar and forty cents
The figure for cotton that would
correspond to two-dollar wheat
might be set at eighteen cents, a
ooint reached during the Sully ear
ner of 1904 The price correspond
ing to dollar wheat —a good, safe
avetage—is ten cents.
A new cotton crop commences in
September,wht.ll the harvest begins.
It ripens gradually, and by Decern
ber 1 the crop is in. The big trad
ing months are January, March,
May, Julv, August, September,
and October.
Very little of the cotton speculat
ed in ever gets to New Yotk
Much of the trading in futures is
speculation pure and simple, atid
provides a process by which men
sell something thev do not own. or
buy something they never expect
to see or use. The cotton "short '
; gets as badly sqeezed as his full
brother in the wheat
"short." In times of inflated
corner prices, he must pay the ran
som that the exchanges legalize
Not all the trading in cotton fu
tures, hoover, is wild speculation
By selling futures, the planter is
enabled to sell part or all of his
crop when the price appears attrac
tive—which may be long before the
harvest. The spinner is able to
buy futures for his needs when the
price seems low enough. He can
later exchange his contracts for
actual cotton, and thus regard his
future purchases as a sort of in
surance against a big rise in the
market. This is legitimate busi
ness. It is the abuse of the future
by the speculator that causes the
tragedy of corners.—Munsey.
Fifth Sunday Services
>' ' /
Rev. W. J. Gordon'will preach
at Robersonville Sunday morning
and at Jamesville Sunday evening.
The public is cordially invited to
attend these services.
Why Churches Lack Attendance
An interesting canvass is now
being made in New York to learn
why people do not go to church.
Such efforts are not new. but they
are practical and show tjhe trend
of the times. In Harlem,' the can
vass shows that fifty per cent of
the residents of the district canvas
ed do not attend chrch. The result
of the canvass, which was made
under the direction of Rev. Walter
Laidlaw, secretary of the Federa
tion of Churches, was announced
by Rev. Dr. Johu Lyon Caughey
of theHatlem Presbyterian church.
The canvass covered fifty seven
blocks, embracing 13,000 families
and 56,600 persons. It showed Dr.
Caughey said, a startling number
of persons professing religious be
liefs, but who were without church
connections and did not attend
church. Arranged in denomina
tions the non-church-goers were as
follows: Jews, 80 per cent; Protest
ants, 31 per cent; Roman Catholics
12 per cent; miscellaneous. 54 per
cent. The most common reason
attributed was "need of rest."
Others were: * 'No need of a church''
"not interested, instructed or en
lighteneJ;" physical infirmity;"
"Sunday employment." But Dr
Caughey asserts: "The real season
in the great majority of cases is the
carelessness, the irreligion and the
sinfulness of the city in which we
live " The canvass will be contin
ued and extended to other parts of
the city, and the information ob
tained will be referred to the Va
rious churches for action. —Chris-
tian Work.
Hoarseness in a child subject to
croup is a sure indication of the ap
proach of the disease. It Cham
berlain's Cough Remedy is given at
once or even after the croupy cough
has appeared, it will prevent the
attack. Contains no poison. Sold
bv Saunders & Fowden; and All
Dealers. >
- WILLI AMSTON, N. C.. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29. IQOQ.
Miss Lucy Riddick went to Will*
iamston Monday.
Clayton JCeel and Oscar Daniel
were in town Sunday.
Miss Lilta Whitley is spendiug
sometime in Rockv Mount.
J. H. D. Peel and Judie James
left last Wednesday for Raleigh.
J. J. Stroud, of Williamston, is
building stores here by contract.
Geo. P. McNaughton, Jr., is
here with his parents for the week.
Mr. and Mrs A. S. Coflield spent
last Sunday with relatives near here
Farmers are marketing their
crops and are pleased with the
prices.
Miss Fontiie Woolard was in town/
last Saturday to meet her brother,
Jodie Woolard.
Mrs. Walter C. Taylor, of Phila
delplria is visiting her parents, Mr.
and Mrs. G. P. McNaughtou.
The death of Mrs. Mollie Brown
Keel on the ?6th of October sad
dened the entire counnunty. She
was the devoted wife of J R. Keel
and the daughter of Mr and Mrs
J. H. Brown. Four little children
and a sorrowing husband are left
to miss her tender luinistratious.
She had lived a quiet christain life.
Rev. Mr. Arnold, of Greenville,
conducted the funeral services,
which were attended by a large
crowd of sympathizing friends.
HASSELL ITEMS
W. W. Salshurv was in town
Tuesday.
Several tieople from here attend
ed the show at Rocky Mount.
Misses Alma and Myra Fleming
spent Wednesday in Hamilton.
Mr. and Mrs. W. Z. Morton, of
Robersonville, speut Sunday here.
V. B. Gray spent Sunday Rt
Mr. Powell's near Spring Green
Miss Hilda Knight, who has
attended school at Robersonville,
is spending this week at home.
Mrs. W. I). Jordan', Miss Dixie
Hollowell, and Miss Laura Sals
bury went to Bethel Saturday.
Mfs. R. H. SaNhury and daugh
ter, Louise, spent Friday and Sat
urday near Hobgood, visiting re
latives.
Mr. and Mrs R. W. Salsbury, of
Hamilton, spent Sunday here.
Jack Taylor, of Robersonville,
was here Tuesday.
■ fc I I ■! .
Auxiliary Meeting:
The next regular meeting of the
Woman's Auxilary and Parish
Guild will be held at the residence
of Mrs. James G. Staton, Thurs
day, November 4th, at 4 o'clock
p. m. Reports of the Convocation
will be given by the delegates, and
it should be the pleasure of every
member to be prompt in attendance.
Hattie Thrower, Pres't.
Revival Services
Rev. C L. Reid is conducting a
series of services in the Methodist
Church, and is being assisted by
Rev. M. Mercer, pastor of the
Methodist Church at Weldon. The
Conference year will soon end and
the pastors of the different circuits
arrange for meetings before the
Conference assembles. The church
here has been very fortunate in se
curing the services of Mr. Mercer
at this time. He formerly held 1
pastorates in the Rockingham Dis
trict and is known for£irnest work
in the cause of the Master. His
sermons are plain and practical, and
he presents the truths of the Gospel
in a way that all who hear are im
pressed. Large congregations
have listened to him every night
and have entered heartily in the
services.
,-,. i ' -■ ,m- v'w -
EVERETTS ITEMS
ROBERSONVILLE
NEWS ITEMS
Mt. Henry Smith is home
Mr. R. L. Smith went to Norfolk
Monday.
Mr. J. S. Smith spent Wedues
day in Ayden.
Mr. Clayton Keel went to Kver
etts Sunday.
Miss Bessie Roberson was in
town Wednesday night.
Mrs. N T. Riddick, of Everetts
was visiting in town Sunday.
Mr. Marion Green of near Will
iamston „ was in town Saturday.
Miss Mamie Taylor, of Everetts,
is visiting Mrs. Ed James this week.
W. A. Ross went to Williamston
Sunday to see a very dear friend.
Mr. William House is still under
the docters instructions, and is verv
low.
Rov Strawbridge, of Williamston
is visiting his sister, Mrs. R;y, t'»fs
week.
. There are several new dwellings
being built in the town, making
room for the people, as our tuvvn is
on a "boom."
Several of the y§ung people from
hen- strolled off to Parmele Sunday
afternoon and came back 011 the
evening train.
The Angels visited the home # of
Mr. and Mrs W. T. Thomas Sat
urday evening and took from tlieni
their little daughter, who had been
sick for several days. Friends
sympathize with the parents in the
loss of their beloved one.
The crown and glory of life is
| character. It is the noblest poss
essing of a man, constituting a rank
iin itself, and an estate 111 the gei%-
' eral good will; dignifying every
| station and exalting every position
!in society. It exercises greater
j power than wealth, and secures all
j the honor without the jealousies of
fame. It carries with it an in
-1 lluence which always tells, for it is
I the result of honor, rectitude and
consistency.
Character is human nature in its
best form. It is moral order em
bodied in the individual. Men of
character are not only the consci
ence of society, but in every well
governed state they are its best
motive power for it is moral quali
ties which rule the world.
The streugth, the industry, and
the civilization of nature ell depend
upon individual character and the
very foundation of civil society rest
upon it. Man may have compara
tively little culture, slender ability,
and but small wealth, yet if his
character be of sterling worth, he
will always command an influence,
wnether it be in the workshop, the
counting house, the mast or the
senate. You may admire men of
intellect, but something is necessary
before you will trust them.
I Character creates confidence in
man in high station as well as in
| humble life. Truthfulness, integ
Jritv.and goodness- 1 -qualities that
j hang not on any man's trust —form
the essency of manly character.
He who posseses the qualiues,
I united with strength of purpose,
carries with him,a power which is
I irresistible. He is strong to do
[good, strong to resist evil, and
: strong to under difficulty
; and *
Integrity in word and deed is the
! backbone of character, and loyal
adherence to veracity its most pro
minent characteristic. There is
truthfulness ih action as well as in
words, which is essential to up
Tightness of character. A man
must really be what he seems or
purposes to be. As daylight can be
seen through very small holes'; so
little tbiug will illustrate a person's
character.
One of the most marked tests of
character is the manner in which
'we conduct ourselves towards
other*. A graceful behavior to
wards superiors, inferiors and equals
is a constant source of pleasure. It
pleases others because it indicates
j respect for their personality, but it
1 gives tenfold more pleasure to our
selves.» If we would only let nature
act kindly, free from affectation
and artifice, the.* results on social
good humor and would
be incalculable.
•
University Notes
) (Reported)
On Saturday last U. N. C. met
; aud defeated one of her old
j time rival*, Georgetown, by the
1 score of sto o. The only scofe
J was made in the first halfr All
' outside kick was caught by Wins
ton, who, with Croswell as inter
ference, ran forty-five yards for a
touchdown. The game was fpll of
ginger, fpst and snappy through
out. Several brilliant plays were
I pulhd off by both sides. St irs for
Georgetown, Byrd aud Was mack,
i for Carolina, Croswell, Winston
I and Porter Large attendance.
Carolina plays Richmond College
at Chapel Hill, Saturday October
30th.
The University Sermon for Octo
ber w;rg preached before a large
audience in Gerrsrd Hall I v Rev.
Francis M Osborne, of Charlotte,
IN. C. Mr Osborne graduated
!
j frt>m the University in 1899, aud
; while in college wa? captain of the
I Varsity foot-ball team and president
jof the Y. M C A. He is now do
ing a great woik in one of the
suburbs of Chatl >tte. He spoke
frrom the text: "An 1 the tru'li shall
make-you free." He'pointvd out
Christ to be the gieat emancipator,
freeing us from intellectual bon
dage, social bondage and bondage
I to sin.
The dailv morning chapel exer
cises, which were suspended during
the improvements made 011 Gei rard
Hall,.were resumed this week. The
seniors and juniors, in addition to
I the freshmen and sophomores are
now required to attend. The de
votional exercises are led by one of
the four ministers in the town, and
the music is directed by Proctor C.
T Woolen, and slibrt talks are
made by members of the faculty,
or men of affairs in the state 011
subjects closely related to the lives
of the students Six hundred
students of,the academic school take
part in these exercises every morn
ing The professional stu lents are
excused 011 account of lack of room.
This bringing together evury morn
ing of six hundred young men will
mean much for the unification and
strengthening of the University
spirit.
Suilrafe Amendment
Judge F'rancis ILWinston has
his r as a cam
paigu'SpeakeY in tTTe^contesf"that
the Maryland Democrats are en
gaged in to rid the state of thfc
worthless negroes' votes. 111 Bal
timore and on the Eastern Shore,
Judge Winston has enthused his
hearers and his arguments have
been unanswered. In the fight
for the suffrage amendment in
Nprth Carolina, he was in the
front ranks and is fully able to
champion the cause in any state in
the Nation. Wherever he is
needed, there you will find him
with an armor impenetrable and
with humor no man can resist.
The Maryland Democrats have
Taft and the entire administration
to fight, but the signs are promis
ing.
Tax Notice
Town taxes for the year 1909 are
now due, and I ask all who are
liable to pay promptly, thus avoid
ing the troule and expense incident
to non-payment.
W. R. White.
&[.oo a Year in Advance
NATIONAL FARM
ERS' CONGRESS
*
Meets in Raleigh Novem
ber 3rd--Five Governors
Will be There—-Thirty-
Five States Wilf be
Represented --- Thous
ands Will Attend.
The National Farmers' Congress
which will meet in Raleigh, will he
the greatest event of its kind ever
held in the State. Several thous
ands of the prosperous farmers of
the Nation will oe tliere
Splendid exhibits of corn and
other grain have already been ar
ranged to show the possiblities of
North Carolina. This Congress
niems much to the farmers of the
entire State, and as many as can
should at'.etul Hon. J Is. Coffield
has been appointed from Martin
County as a representative. Others
should go and reap the greit bene
fits'to be derived from the coming
together-of such a number of the
progressive men of the country.
Your cough annoys you. Keep
on hacking and tearing thedelicate
membranes of your throat if yuu
want to be annoyed. But if you
wish relief, want to be cured, take
Chamberlain's Cough Remedy.
Sold by Saunders & Fowden; and
All Dealers.
Debating: Soc'ety
The Society was called to order
by the President nt 3 o'lock p. m.,
and found the following nro
granime: Query: Resoled* "That
money has more influence over man
than education " The Judges:
Wig Watts, Arthur White and
Roland Roherson decided in favor
of the affirmative, after the boys
had shown their oratorical powers.
A good literary society means
something to our school provided
it is entered into with the proper
spirit. But if we meet for other
things than business, it is problema
tical whether it will flourish or not.
Homer Peel, Sec y.
It is in time of sudden mishap or
accident that Chamberlain's Lini
ment can be relied u|>on to take the
place of the family doctor, who can
not alway&be found at the moment.
Then it is that Chamberlain's Lini
ment is never found wanting. In
cases of sprains, cuts, wounds and
brui-.es Chamberlain's Liniment
takes out the soreness and drives
away the pain. Sold by Saunders
& Fowden; and All Dealers.
A Delifhtiul Luncheon
What proved to be a very delight
ful affair was the luncheon given
Friday at the Atlantic Hotel by Mr.
Frank F. pagan, in honor of his
sister, Mrs. R. P. Badham, of Eden*
ton. Mrs Badham was pleasantly
known here as Miss Emily Wood
Pagan, and her many friends were
glad to welcome her to Williamston
again. Mr. Pagan's guests were
Miss Eva Chesson, of Washington
county: Miss Elizabeth Gordon,
Miss Carrie Biggs, Miss Nannie
Smith, Mr. C. B. Ilassell, Mr A.
I). Mizell, Mr. Harry A. Biggs, Dr.
Joseph H. Saunders, Dr. Hugh B.
York and Dr. James S. Rhodes.
Carolina Literary .Society
The program for Friday, Octo
ber 22nd. 1909, was as follows:
Incidents and Quotations, by each
member; History of Miles Staud
isb, Ludie Cullifer; Reading," Miles
Standish,'' Ida Jenkins and Jessie
Brown; History of "livangeline,"
Josie Roherson; Reading from
"Evangeline," Sallie Hadley and
Hilda Crawford; Hiawatha's Woo
ing, Penelope Biggs.
P»el«g *«»• tfttfi