Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-03-22
The New Orleans Sugar Market.

appeared some time since in the New Orleans
Pcayune. and commend them to the careful at
tention of our brother editors. They contain mat
ter for grave reflection.
While on this subject we would again remind
our planting friends that the Sugar Planters Con-
vention is called to meet again on Thursday, the
10th of April, to receive the report OF their COM
mltecs. We have been Informed that the com
mttee met in New Orleans some time since. 1t
having been intimnt,I that the City Council wished
to make some proposals in regard to the suga,
market subcommittee was appointed to confer
with the Council. The committee will be prepared
to report to the Convention the result of its con-
ference with the city authorities and the course of
action it would recommend, after taking into con-
sideraton all the circumstances We hope our
planters will be sure to attend; the meeting is of
vast Importance. If planters mean to reform the
evils they have been complaining of they must do
It now, and not scruple to put their shoulders
to the wheel if they design get the sugar market
out of the mud:
FEBRUARY 4, 1856.
Messrs Editors: was present at the Con-
vention Of Sugar Planters which assembled in New
Orleans on the 23d of January, and listened with
much attention to the remarks which fell from the
several gentlemen who spoke.
Concerning the evils of the present system and
the necessity of a change, there seemed but one
one opinion; but good deal of diversity of opinion
existed as to what that change should be.
Since that period have been rejecting on what
heard, and have come to conclusions which, with
your permission, will give my fellow sugar plant
ers, through the medium of your columns.
Concerning the evils of the present system, it is
needless to say any more; they are acknowledged
by everyone at all acquainted with the subject.
But the remedy-that i the question. More time
in which to make sales, tnore space and protection
from the elements, is What we want
1t is clearly not in the power of the City Council
to do anything for us. large portion of the ground
formerly allotted to the sugar market is sold and
built up, and the remaining space is intruded upon
by cotton and western produce. The wharvcs and
landings are leased to individuals for term of years,
and the Council has no longer any control over
them. There is nothing left for us but to establish
a sugar market in some other locality. Where
shall that be?
Agiers is certainly not the proper place, although
it is the terminus of the Opeousas railroad, and
number Of warehouses at that place ready to
receive sugar and molasses on storage. If the
sugar and send it to the levee for sale, Aglers
would do as well as any other place. but it can
never be market, and that is what We want, l
imagine.
Look at the city of New Orleans, and see where
the improvements have been made in the last
twenty years They are all in the direction up the
river. Is there any improvements going on below
the city, or has the city extended itself down the
river as well rs up? Certainly not. Where is the
stock market the stave marvel, the market TOR all
sorts of western produce and commodities, and
where is the great bulk of the cotton stored? All
I'D the river or up town. There must be a reason
for this, Messrs. Editors, and that take to
be that the dealers and traders in all sorts of mer
chandise endeavor to get as near as possible to,
and offer as many convcniences and facilities as
NAV be in their power to those with whom they
deal Nearly all the trade Of New Orleans being in
products that come down the river or go up the
river, as natural consequence the convenences
and facilities for carrying on this trade must be in
the same direction.
Efforts have been made tohvcrt portion of the
trade down the river, and failed. Look at the
lower cotton press and tobacco warehouses; any
thing stored in them when storage can be obtained
up town! The result will be the same if Algiers
should be selected as a sugar market. 1t will be a
failure-it will be only depot No sufficient
quantity of sugar will ever accumulate there for
sale which viii serve as an inducemsnt for buyers
to 60 there habitually to make purchases. 1t is
inconvenent to the steamboat landing. No steam
boat having general cargo to be landed at the
levee will be easily induced to take quantity of
sugar on board to be landed down there, nor will
steamboats, partially loaded at the levee like to go
there to take in portion of her cargo of sugar and
molasses for the western country.
All these objections will be obviated. if some
point should be selected opposite to or above the
steamboat landing. We would then be placing our
product for sale on the thoroughfare of those who
buy from u.s. We would be following the policy Of
all sensible traders, who do not keep their mer-
chandse for sale at the back of their house, but at
the front, and with their doors wide open.
propose to form joint Association of Sugar
Planters" to effect the object Of establishing
sugar market. Such market as will give us
reasonable time in which to effect our sales, pro-
tect our property from damage by the elements,
and give to the purchaser Of it an opportunity to
keep it in store until it should suit his convenience
to move it.
All this can be readily accomplished, if planters
arc seriously desirsus to effect thorough reform in
the present system, and will each one contribute |
his proportion in taking stock in this association
We lose more annually under the present system
than the entire cost Of the establishment OF suit
able market
Il
will be too long for. one days paper, and will,
therefore, defer the remainder until tomorrow
Respectful,y A SUGAR PLANTER.
FEBRUARY 5, 1856.
Messrs Editors: In my communication of yes
terday. endeavored to show that Algers is not
suitable location for a sugar Market and that some
point on tho opposite bank Of the river from New
Orleans, opposite to or above the steamboat land
ing, is now likely to be successful and that the
market ought to be established by joint associa-
ton of sugar planters who should contribute from
their means to effect the object.
That such market would succeed think is
certain / would locate it between the Opelousas
railroad and the river. Having turn out from the
railroad, and wharf on the river bank, with low
sheds, running at right angles with the river, and
platforms and railways between each line of sheds
and of area sufficient for the convenient reception
Of she probable quantity Of sugar that might be
stored in il.
Such market would of course be as convenient
to the planter who sends his sugar by the Ope-
lousas RAILROAD as Alsers, and it would be much
more convenient to the river planter, because he
would have difficulty in sending his sugar to be
landed at it by any steamboat coming down to
New Orleans. The facility for shipping it up the
ha =, this