Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-09-17
For tie Southern Standard.
Resources Of C0IumbuS,-NO. 5.

Resources Of COIumbuS,--NO. 5.
Leather is a compound of the skins of animals
and a substance found in the bark of trees called
Tannin. The combining of these substances, Of
themselves when separate Of little value, into one
substance of great value and of absolute necess-
ty to our comfort, is called Tanning. 1t requires
some practical knowledge Of chemistry consider
able time and much labor to produce the leather
that is required by man for his comfort and con
venience, and there is nothing else of which to
make it, and only this one way to accomplish the
end, by combining these substances and producing
firm strong durable fabric. This is used for
many purposes Of utility, such our boots and
shoes, harness for our wagons and carriages belts
for our machinery and some other articles of ne
cessity, but it rarely enters into works of fancy or
decoration. Unlike the manufactures spoken Of
in our last two articles, leather is essentially
home production. The skins of our domestic ami
mails are of but little value except in the vicinity
of the Tan Yard, but there with the bark of our
forest oak, and the labor of the Tanner, they be-
come invaluable.
The raw material used does not constitute one
twentieth part of its value, though put up in the
most common articles made of it. 1t is the labor
and this is true also Of the other branches of in
dustry dependent upon this-the boot and shoe
maker, the harness maker and sadler. Cast up
the amount Of articles sold and used in our coun-
ty, manufactured in whole or in part of leather
made and put up in other countries and your read
ers would be surprised at the amount of money
sent off, clean gone from US, for this useful branch
of industry. 1t is fair to calculate that $685. 600
is paid annually for brogans for our slaves, and
an amount not much less for the white portion Of
our people-now how stands the account
More than 100 Mechanics and laborers might
be employed and not less than 800 others become
dependent on their labor for support The intro
ducton of this branch Of industry is of interest tc
the Planter and the Mechanic of other trades
1t brings the maker of an important article o.
clothing into direct intercourse with the consumer
and it frequently occurs in the transactions of the
tanning and shoe shop, that the produce of the
planter can be proGtahly exchanged for shoes and
leather.
Is not this benefit, is not our country better
off, richer, where we can work up the waste ant
cost of materials of the plantation into articles O
value q?
At present there are three Tanneries in oul
county, giving employment to about IS persons il
the yard some 10 or IL in the harness making
and about 90 in the shoe shop. These are all o
recent establishment, and it is gratifying to know
that all of them are in successful operation, ant
SO far as we can see, paying their owners well 70
their energy in introducing this branch of Home
Industry.
Our people are beginning to learn that the bes
place to buy things is where they pay for then
the easiest not where they have to take the money
out of their cotton crop. They find that wool
hides tallow, beeswax and corn, will pay for then
at home, and if we pay the laborer that makes ou
shoes from the surplus of our agricultural pro
duct, we save SO much wealth at home Now il
a pair of brogans worth one dollar, the raw ma
terial is not worth more than ten cents pair, O
six dollar boots, not over twenty FIVE or thirtv
cents and of womens shoes, not the half of that
thus it is plain that the value of the article is il
labor
Surely our citizens should feel and act as if the,
felt immediate interest in the prosperity of thes
establishments. The workmen eat of our bread
they bear portion Of our political social and re
ligious burdens, as a community they are our citi
zens and neighbors. depending on us for the sue
cess of their enterprise, shall they look to us il
vain, shall it be said that we of the South fee
more sympathy with the Tanner and shoemake
of Mass, than we do for the same class Of mel
among ourselves ?
HOMESPIJN.