The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-10-03
BENEFIT of Manufactures.

Boston Ciiiipator.
BENEFIT of Manufactures.
Let the farmers of Maryland see an illus
.trstion ofthis benefit on their own soil. We
ask their attention 10 the practical effects of
manufacturing ns exhibited by the LaurolFac
tory, in Prince George county.
That region of country is familiarity known
10 all who have been in the habit of travelling
between Washington aud Baltimore. Ten
years ago, il was barren region, incapable,
us its proprietor iorcibIy expressed it, ofpro-
ducing even pOue,ty-grdss. Its accessible val
ue, and n hard bargain at that, was So the
acre But il had moderate but neglected
water power, which the enterprising and in
teIligent owner conceived the idea ofturning
90 account. In 1896 he obtained from the
Legislature of.Maryland a charter, and cas-
ed a cotton factory to he erected on nook
of this barren land. In its infancy this facto-
~ struggled with difficulties: in the disastrous
years of 1897 and 1888 its patrons had nearly
Welded TO the blast which, with malign eff
feet, swept over the land; but hoping almost
against hope, they firmly resolved TO proceed.
Amid much embarrassment they held on
their course, ill at length the benign tariff
act of 1912 gave them welcome relief
Now look at the results. Where not a hab-
tu;ion stood before, village has grown up
oftwo thousand inhabitants. Numerous well
built stone and brick houses and stone
church have been erected, community OF
Christian worshippers have been collected,
schools established, and all the external SYM
bols ofa thriving population meet the eye.
The lands which were deserts before are YER
dent now,yielding eXuberant harvests, aud
the acres which were dear at 50 dollars per
acre formerly, cannot be purchased at fifty
dollars an acre now. II the neighborng
farmers have eggs, and poultry, corn, wheat,
IIutter and meats to dispose of they find here,
almost at their own doors, ready market
and good prices. But, more than all, and
this is the glory Of the establishment it gives
employment to the poor, TO such as need III
and it gives prompt aud liberal pay.
The Laurel Factory employed, the last
year, in its various departments, $50 hands.
1t paid for labor the following amounts, viz:
In the cotton department S42,946 l6
In the iron ditto, una
chine shopl 100000
For labor in the village 5000 w
For salaries TO agents,
treasurer and clerks 10,500 90
$93,446 16
II paid for cotton S4,2l5 90
For iron coal and lumber 100000
Supplies for the store $4,000 90
do. cotton department 5000 90
For oil 5000 90
Potato starch 1,500 90
Transportation and hauling350O 90
--$lS6,2150 C
Total $279,66l 16
We,have no time to enlarge upon these
hastily collected but interesting statistics
though they are so highly deserving of atten
ton. But, with these results before us, We
declare our entire want ofpatience with those
who descry tariff which fosters home in
tlustry, diffiises blessings among the poor,ant
converts desert land into n garden. lie
the farmers of Maryland notice the fact, tina
of S279,000 expended by this small factory il
one year, over $4,000 of it was for labor
and in all probability, the greater part of !
was received by the sons and daughters ot
poor men, who, but for this employment
might have spent their time in idleness, o
been the victims of the most corrupting vice
--.NatiOnaL Hlteltigenccr.