The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-04-21


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MASUrAcroREs.-We were pleased to see in The
Jefferson Times Of the 18th inst. that our enterprs
ing neghbor5 have gone rightly to work. to organise
manufacturing company in that place. A cash CAPT
tai OF $4,000 has been subscribed for the purpose
establishing cotton and wool factory and already
saw mill has been put in operation, and greater part
of the WOODEN machinery received. This is step ii
the right direction. few more in the same way viii
lead to the commercial independence and wealth Of
the Southern States-and that city, which leads in this
movement, will become the commercial emporium OIL
the South. OF course, if we had our choice we would
prefer to see New Orleans-our own meropolis-ake
advantage of her fine position, and become equally
great as manufacturing city, she is for her
export trade But she seems to be laboring under a
kind of dry rot, and we venture the prediction,
will have cotton competitor in ST. Louis, in few
years. far more formidable than Memphis, with her
Eastern connections is at the present time. This, OF
course would look like traversns the very designs of
Providence and yet is in the power or want of ROVER
in men, thus to thwar natural tendencies. And what
true, as between these two cities is equally be-
tween Jefferson and Shreveport. If the former be-
comes the manufacturing it will necessarily become
the larger city. Let our men of property consider
what is due to future. In these days of lightning
progress, the dry rot is the fatal of all mpedi-
ments to the growth of city. If we allow Jefferson
to open factories, and stand idly by, and while all
other railroads pushing forward rely on Congress
to build one for US confessng inability as city
to build one MILE all the natural advantages of Shreve-
port will not it from the dry rot II tue mania
for town property speculation does not give way and
that rapidly, to the sensible investment in manu-
factories, we shall soon see the folly of expecting
"high prices to make city out of Shreveport! If
1000 brick houses were put up this year, and town
property should appreciate 100 per cent-the city
growth of Shreveport-ts future growth we mean,
would not be much promoted by their construction,
as it would be by couple of manufacturing establish
ments with the Jefferson capital of $4,000 paid up
cash.
New ORLEANS INSURANCE CoMpANlEs.-The New
Orleans Bulletin has taken up the cudgel in defence of
what the St. Louis Democrat calls "the murdcrous
rates Of insurance" charged by the New Orleans under
writer's. The Bulletin says:
We believe that much of the complaint against our
insurance companies arises from an ignorance of the
system of insurance adopted here, and much of the
erly belongs elsewhere The insurers, or parties com
ing in direct contact with insurance companies derived
usually benefit from the dividends of the insurance
companies, Which, when deducted from the amount
paid policies, would exhibit rate as moderate as
any place in the country.
True, the planter the owner of the product does
not derive this benefit himself and hence thinks the
rate of insurance excessive But this is not the fault
of the companies. The rebate is always allowed to
the party insuring and when planters and Others in
trust the business OF nsurng their products to others
commission must be paid for that for every other
service that may be rendered But the insurance com
panes are not to be held responsible for the nominal
rate OF interest charged in of sales and other
transactions where insurance is involved The
rate charged exceeds by Is and sometimes 90 per
cent the amount actually received by the companies.
This difference from the rebate and particpa-
ton by the policy holders in the premiums declared
by the companies If these rebates Injured to the hem
eft OF the planter or owner his insurance would APP
pear very reasonable and satisfactory.
The inference from the above is that the merchants
of New Orleans get the rebate. 1t makes little differ
ence to the planter who gets it, long as be is the
loser. The Bulletins remarks may be considered
good defence Of the insurance companies but at the
same time they saddle the odum the merchants.
From Ia to 90 per cent commission for insuring
planters cotton would look to US like "murderous
rates"
TAPPING OUR TRADE.-Perlaps most of our readers
not aware that two boats have been up the Sabine
river this years as high Logansport which is within
forty miles of this place, hooking Of trade.
The commercial editor of the Galveston News, under