Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-09-10
For the Southern Standard.
Resources of COInmbuS,-NO. 4.

Resources of COlumbUS,-NO. 4.
What expensive luxury and only with
in reach Of the rich nabob has now become an every
day necessity of much among great portion of
people. We and many of our generation used to
look upon the Carriage an appendage to the ars-
tocracy of wealth that at raised the family above
the level of the neghborhood and stamped the possess
with dignity and Importance in proportion to the
splendor of his equipage-not so now. The carriage
in some shape or other has become a necessary ap-
pendage of almost every family. Whether the uni
versa adoption of this luxury adds any thing to the
improvement of morals the benefit of health it is
not our purpose to discuss But be it evil or
good since the luxury of the carriage has been in
troduccd let see if we cannot turn its use to our
profit.
The Assessor of our county reports the present
valuation of Carriages and Buggies at near $4,000
this is the assessed value it is fair to suppose
they cost when new not less than 100000 and for
our calculation we will suppose that on an average
these vehicles last five years; this gives annual
Import of $4,000 On this data we will make cal
culaton for the benefit of those who think they must
send to the North for every thing they get
On inquiry we find that of the materials used in
the manufacture of Carriages about fifth of their
value must at present be imported because they
in the infancy of the business be got up here
Such are the trimmings and fancy work, that enter
into their finish and decoration-but for the main part
of the Carriage, the wood and iron work-it may be
done here as we'll as elsewhere. Now how stands
the account. We will deduct $4,000 as the value of
imported materal-this leaves $4,000 to pay for
the home materials and the putting up of the work
this $4,000 will employ about 40 workmen, and it
is reasonable to suppose Of them would be men
Of families it is but fair to estimate that 100 indvid-
uals directly interested in this branch of industry
ana as these are to be fed, clothed and educated,
their health and religious welfare cared for it is fair
to presume that much larger number of persons are
colaterally interested in it. Again, my friend Mr..
Smith sends off to Newark, New Jersey, 5000 for a
Carriage and it out to him at expense of
bout $50 in freight, commission and insurance-and
all this amount Of money has gone out of our county,
to feed, clothe and make rich, persons in whom we
have other interest than that they belong our
great family of Americans; many of whom perhaps
doing all they to break up the social and
peculiar institutions of the South.
Now if my friend will call either of our Carriage
makers and furnish them the means, am authorised
in saying good job can be turned out here, as
they can buy at Newark for the same money; out o.
which about $3.50 will be paid for imported material
the balance $3.50 will be scattered among our owr
people in the purchase of such things as the work
men need for their support and in all probability
part of the money will find its way back into the
pocket of my friend Smith.
Again, if but furnish the requisite aid by patron
ising such manufacture, may at least expect tina
our manufacturing of Carriages will induce people
the neghboring counties to come here purchase ant
thus increase the business and the increase of ON
branch of business tends to the increase of othe
branches the prosperity of town will increase il
the ratio that we patronise home production.
Increased business demands increased facilities 70
doing business. Our friends Carter and Wellington
in their limited business cannot afford to make an
put up such machinery they could do if the deman
in their line would justify it, but the time may com
and we hope long, when they may find it to thei
advantage to introduce all the improvements in ma
chnery that used at the North. They have grea
advantage over in the mere fact that they suppl
an extensive market and that men of assist an
aid the mechanic in commencing and carrying on hi
business
Will not the rich men Of this county come for
ward patronse and help the mechanic of their ow
town. and by helping them add to the prosperity of GU
HOMESPUN.