Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1866-05-22
MANUFACTURING 1N THE SOUTH.

tive economy of those States and necessi-
tating resort to new and other expedients
for rebuilding their prosperity, they are
beginning to ba more alive to the import
ance Of home enterprises for manufacturing
purposes, in lieu Of 80 much all-absorbing
devotion to agriculture. This entering
wedge to the development CT resources of
mechanical and manu- featuring tendency,
will pave the way, in all probability, to
many grand projects Of Improvement and
ad vancement in the future, one among
which will be the manufacture, on scale
outstripping competition abroad, Of cotton
fabrics on the very ground which prodaces
the raw material.
In Georgia and South Caroliua particr-
larly, since the abolition of slavery and
the consequent decline of our agricultural
interest, the importance Of proper manu-
featuring facilities has been more ger orally
acknowledged, and the whole subject of
manufactures has commanded greater
share Of public attention than ever before.
Recognizing the value of proper informa-
ton on this subject, the editor of the South
Carolinian has collected from the most
trustworthy sources, the following facts in
regard to the condition of various manu-
factories in South Carolina: GG
Mr.. John W. Grady and his partners,
who own seven mills in the upper portion
Of the State, are rebuilding and repairing
their old mills, and have also lately pGr-
chased the fine Granite mill near Pende-
ton, which they are putting in thorough
working order. So large and extensive an
organization Of capital for manufacturing
purposes, not only shows that an interest
is taken in the subject, but is the best proof
that our State possesses manufacturing ad
yantages Of no mean order.
The Lester factory Oh the ENFORCE, and
the factories at Batesvlle on Rocky Creek,
at Charlottesville on the Middle Tiger,
and at Bivingsville-all in Spartanburg
District-have been in operation during
the war, and have turned out many
yards of cloth for the Confederate Govern
meht. Immediately after the cessation of
hostilities, their enterprising owners set to
work TO replace their worn out material
with new and improved machinery, and
the factories have now been at work for
some time, though all the improvements
have not been completes ed. When the new
crop of cotton is gathered they will be able
TO do good service for the district and State.
Messrs. L. W. Childs 81 Co., are rebuild
ing the Saluda Factory, burned by Sher-
man, and will, by next fall, have an en-
tirely new set Of mill machinery, which is
now being made at the North.
Messrs. James j. Gregg q Co, are en-
larging their fine factory at Vaucuse, and
adding greatly to its efficiency with the
very best machinery.
The Bath paper mill, which was acct
IDENTIFY destroyed by fire in May, 1862. has
been entirely rebuilt, and is now working
night and day on fine class of book paper
to I'll Northern orders.
The popular and well known President
of the Granitevile Co., Mr.. William
Gregg. has been in Europe for months
past uperintending the construction of
works which will greatly improve and in
crease the productions Of TIE mills of that
company.
The new enterprise known ps Kalmia
Mills, of which company Benjamin f.
Evans is President, are pushing their
works rapidly towards completion, and
will be prepared to begin manufacturing
before the new crop Of cotton comes to
market. This is the largest man u featuring
enterprise ever started in this Slate, and
when com pleted will consist of one writing
paper mill, one printing paper mill, and
one cotton factory OF twenty thousand
spindles and five hundred looms. Ali the
machinery will be Of English construction,
and built to the order Of the President of
the company, who went to Europe last
summer for the purpose of examining their
system Of manufacture and ordering the
machinery. 1t will be of the very best to
be lad in any part of the world. These
mills are on the same stream as Vaucluse,
Granteville and Bath, and are between
the latter places. The stream affords q
fine water power and will be used to drive
the works of the company, as it now does
of all the others on it.
By far the larger mum ber-if not I'll the
operatives employed in these various fac
tories-are natives of the surrounding
country, and white people exclusively
are employed. Negroes undoubtedly find
work in connection with the f-ctores, but
they are not what are strictly calico
operatives.
In connection with these facts we would
briefly notice, first, the immense capital
which is necessary TO carry on 80 many
large establishments. Secondly, that one
of the mills is manufacturing for Northern
orders large quantities Of fine book paper,
Que of the most important articles of con-
sum ption in this country, showing con-
clusively that we not only do not depend
upon the North for manufactures, but can
even supply that section in case of need.
And, thirdly and lastly, the large amount
of honorable and lucrative employment
afforded to the poorer classes of our white
population.
The Charleston News, abiding to the
Kalmia mills, says: -.-.-.-.
The company will also introduce ap-
proved bleaching machinery adapted to
the finer grades of long cloth, PRINT goods
and shirtng, Of which their manufacture
will chiefly consist. Their paper ma
chinery will comprise. in the letter mill, a
forty two inch machine; and in the news
mill, an eighty four inch Foudenier ma
chine. The capital Of the company is half
a million Of dollars, with the privilege
nh nP in II tn tvun millions