Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1856-01-12
Sugar Planters Convention.

Pursuant TO a adjournment, q meeting OF the
Sugar planters Of this State will b.. held in
| New Orleans, on the 22d inst, for the pur-
pose Of adevising some means Of increasing
the facilities for disposing of the sugar crop.
In order to comprehend the necessity of
this NEE ting and its importance to the Sugar
| planters, it is only necessary to remind the
reader. that the landing for sugar is confined
to q space extending from Custom House to
Toulouse streets. Now this space for a sugar
market is but little more than half that it was
tenIyears ago, when even then, il was far too
small. hence by an ordinance. of the city OF
New Orleans, Sugar is required. 10 be removed
within thirty six hours after being landed /;
If 1t remains longer, it is sliced and put IN
store at the .planter's expense, thus forcing
the planter to sell within thirty six hours
after landing, or store their sugar in the mis-
erably unsuitable wa warehouses; Of New Orleans
where sales are only eTected at immense sac
rifce. The alternative of storage is rarely
tried a second time, planters preferring to
submit to a forced sale on the levee. The
consequence of all this is, that sugar never
brings to the planter its real value. The OBJ
iect of the meeting is, to obtain from the city
authorities, more space as a Sugar Market,
and a longer time to effect a sale, in default
of which to seek another market.
1t is a singular fact, that while nearly every
other branch of industry is protected by a
combination OF those engaged in them, the
sugar planters, allow their interests TO float
down the tide oil chance, among greedy spec
~ulators, who show them only the mercE which
yultuses show to lambs. 1t is hoped that the
meeting on the 2ad, is but the kindling of an
association of planters, which cannot fail to
protect them against all other combinations.
In their present disorgauized state. the voice
OF the sugar planter il seldom heard, his in
terest suffers and his influence destroyed.
Let them meet and combine, let them ask for
Justice at the hands OF the city authorities;
and il their request is disreparded, let them
show their independence by seeking some
other market. If our planters would act
more independently of New Orleans and her
merchants, if they would not only make, but
sell their own crops, sugar would bring a bet
ter price and they would not be forced to beg
for the poor privilege of being allowed their
own time to sell their own prmiace-frnItiof
their industry and toll. II Ne" Orleans will
not grant them both space for their produc-
ton and time to sell it, let the planters sell
at home. or build ware houses at Gretna, or
some other place and never fear but that Pur-
chasers will come.
The sugar crop this year is barely sufficient
to supply our own wants, and the wants Of
the West. Western buyers prefer purchasing
on the plantation. and if planters will sell
then, hey cannot only take their own time.
but they will also save innumerable charges
for ~freightage, leakage, cooperage, &s.
1t is to be hoped that every sugar growing
parish in the State, will be represented at the
meeting to be held in New Orleans. We
trust that every planter in West Baton Rouge,
who can, will attend the meeting, and that
their deliberations will prove beneficial we
have no doubt.