The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-09-22
CONVENTION OF SUGAR PLANTERS.

The Convention being organized, G. L..
swayze, Esq, was called to the chair, and ].
g. Wilson, Esq, vas appointed Secretary. The
Chairman having explained the object Of the
meeting, on motion, the following gentlemen
were appointed to draw up q report and reso-
buttons expressive of the views and wishes of
the Conventions in reference to the objects pro-
posed to be attained, to wit; DR.. George Hill,
Stephen w. Wikoff, Esq, and James Morgan
Esq, WHO submitted the following report and
resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The city of New Orleans, the great
sugar mart of Louisiana. the only State in the Union
which produces, to any considerable extent that
valuable and increasing staple, owes it to her citizen
planters, whose crops go there for sale or for ship
ment to other ports, to provide and keep proper and
sufficient accommodation for the reception of sugar
and molasses, while exposed; 1And tohe,eas, The
wants and requirements of this important interest
have been long and most grossly neglected and dis
regarded in the small space on the levee allowed to
li.nd and dispose of those articles, permitting them
to remain only ~thirty-six hours, wheh they must be
sold, not infrequently at a great sacrifice, or be
dragged off to some remote warehouse for storage,
where they are destined to remain at n heavy expense
and at the risk of the planter, and without the most
remote prospect of ever finding q purchaser while
thus stored. These evils must he %remedicd, and they
can and will be r%emedied, if the planter, knowing
his rights and interests, will but exert and maintain
them. The New Orleans, Opelousas and Great
Western Railroad has purchased, in reference to this
very sugar interest, and for purposes OF general
storage, large and well located grounds ION the
western bank of the Mississippi opposite, and suit
able in locality for the convenience and wants of the
commerce of the city. Ample storehonses are now
provided for the sale or storage of the sugar and
molasses, and shall the planters Of this parish avail
themselves OF it? We say, yea, and do resolve &C.
cOrdingly, for the future, to order and require our
several crops to be landed and stored opposite the
City of New Orleans at such points as the proper &C.
colnodations can be had for storage, either for sale
or for shipment Therefore,
Be it resolred, That a committee Of three be up
pointed to correspond with the President of the New
pany in reference to the price and facilities for the
storage Of the sugar aud molasses that may be
landed for that purpose at the warehouses prepared
by the Company, and further to correspond witt
those connected with the sugar interest throughout
the State generally, as to the proper period fol
holding q general convention Of the sugar planters o
the State, and to place the result of that correspon
dence before a called meeting of the sugar planter
of this parish.
Whereupon, Col. B. R. Rogers, Col. W. Ofntt ant
Thomas G. Anderson, Esq, were appointed on the
committee.
On motion, it was resolved that the chairman bt
added to the committee of correspondence.
On motion,
Resolved, That these proceedings be published ii
the different papers in the State friendly to the ad
vancement of this great interest.
J. G. WILSON, Secretary.