Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1850-03-30
Burpau Of statistics.


We make the following extract
from J. y. B. DeBow's able introduce
tory Report to the Legislature:
The manufactures of Louisiana,
| excepting sugar, which is generally
| classed otherwise, are the least impor-
tant. almost of any State in The Union.
| The Government census OF 1850, will
again reveal this humliating fact. 1t
is easy to say that capital finds better
! investments, bat this is not true, as it
is even going abroad. Mechanic in
dustry meets also with little encour-
agement. There is no natural reason
for this state of things, and we are
very far from advocating artificial
stimulants in the way Of government
patronage. TO enlighten sell Interest
should be the aim, and that will effect
the resolution. Let us know why we
are in no better position in this be-
half, what have been the causes con-
tributing to our failures in almost
every past experiment, Of diminish
ing the number of these experiments!
How comes it, that except in the
State Peni!entiary. we have not en-
tered the field of cotton manufactures
when all our sister southern states
and cities have been in motion, when
! the material is around us in bountiful
! DrOfusion. and it can be demonstrated,
may be worked with the greatest
possible advantage, and with the
largest and most reliable profitsl
Our citizens perceiving this, begin
to embark in the operations of other
States. Can community advance
to high position without diversifying
its pursuits, and is there not always
surplus, or unproductive capital cap
able Of being diverted into the use
full channels of manufactures! Too
many facts cannot be accumulated in
regard to these matters! But the
other day, movement was made,
looking to the establishment Of an
extensive cotton factory in New
Orleans, and rice mill upon a SINH
lar scale would seem TO be equally
promising. 1t is a mistake to argue
that the cost oflabor will deter, when
there are SO many counterbalancing
agencies at work. Paper mills and
shoe factories are also peculiarly eco
nomical operations for State like
ours.
The results Of the first are almost
clear gainto the community at large
being derived from the otherwise
worthless and wasted material, of
every household. The cause of south
ern manufactures, is one of the high
est Of the age, and it is gratifying to
see the extent to which it is pressed,
without one clamor for the aid OF
Hercules in the struggle. This is a
legitimate and proper business, and
the time has perhaps come, when the
southern and western states might
unite in one great convention, for the
purpose of extending their manu-
features, upon platform which shall
not compromise or trample upon a
single party principle-and for such
convention, what position more
admirable than New Orleans?
SOUTHERN MAsurAcTUREs.-The
facilities for manufactures of cotton
enjoyed by the South, exceed that ol
any portion of the world. Having the
materialon the spot, with abundant
labor, the saving in transportation
and other costs, will, alone, pay hand.
some dividends. An intelligent write,
estimates the proportionate profit oI
the planter and the manufacturer, as
follows: With three times the capital
the planters profits are less; six hund
red laborers in the field do not realize
as much as 275 in the factory, etc.
etc. Another recommends manufac
lures by the cotton growers them
selves, our crop being estimated al
$ S55, 100000 being worked up at
: cents the pound, two yards u the
j pound, and nine cents the yard, max
ing the whole cotton crop worth IL
instead of cents the pound, rht
price last year, and realizing $3.50
100000, instead OF 55,0o0,OOO. The
. machinery necessary to work up the
f whole crop may be had for $4,000,
coo. These facts should bring us t,
: reflect, and the more ofthem we car
collect, and the speedier the better
A convention OF cotton growers Nigh
we'll be called, to discuss this Who'll,
d subject, and the South should spar
no pains'in collecting data.
Louisiana is dependant upon he
position for the immense commerc,