The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-07-11
MORNING srARs AHp CATHOLIC 1EssEEsER
NEW oRIsEANs, SUNDAY, JULY ii. 1862
REVIEW Or TILE WEEK.
The Sugar Hart.

from highly respectable source wholly un-
connected with the project advocated, we are
influenced solely 10y q. desire to advance the
material inbefests of our city. VIC labor
already 1tsider the impptatscn Of lethargy
and supineness fatal to that progress which
has made other cities, not nearly so advanta-
ceously situated, outstrip us in the race of com
1nercial enterprise. The judicious peader will
be able to perceive that the advantages set
forth are such as commend themselves to
the whole community, although, perhaps, n
small but meritorious class may for the mo-
ment be partially incommoded:
Editors Morning Star and Catholic Messenger:
AS the attention of the public is directed to
the proposition of Mr.. F. B. Fletas for the inn
provement of the Sugar Mart in this City, it
may be of advantage to your readers to fur
nish them some Information on the subject.
The entire sugar and molassesI trade OF the city
is now conducted on the leyce, where the pack
ages are huddled together, constantly exposed
to rain and sun. The result of this exposure
is gleat loss to tho planter and merchant; dur
ingTainy weather it is almost impossible to
self in copseauence of the difficulties incident
to delieery; the insurance is high, and money
caunot be raised by pledge the property
while i'll this exposed condition. Mr.. Flietas
proposes to the Common Council to erect on
the levee, Mt his own cost, fire-proof sheds for
the shelter of sugar and molasses These sheds
are to be covered with slate roof, divided into
and supported by iron columns setting on brick
foundations capped with stone; they will for
the convenience of free circulation of air, be
open all sides, and will also be floored with
three-inch yellow pine plank, with close joints;
the gable ends will be ornamented with pedi-
ments crowned with cornices, and large Cir
cular blind in each, presenting handsome APP
pearance. The sugar viii be received on skids,
numbered so as to indicate by the numbers the
location of each consignee's sugar.
Under these sheds tue weighers, guagers,
brokers and purchasers can at all times trans
act their business, free from the annoyances or
hindrances of rain heat. The sugar thus
protected will not run by seYenty-five per cent
as much as it does now m its exposed condi-
tiou thus saving several dollars per hogshead.
Molasses viii be almost exempt from fermenta-
tion which is now the ordinary result of the
action of the The facilities for handling
and delivering sugar will be immensely in
creased by the appliances which will be nc
hand to transfer hogshead from any position
to rail cars, by which it viii DO conveyed to
the ends of the building ready for the dray
These sheds will cover the entire area from
Customhouse to st. Louis streets, leaving suffi-
Gent space for the streets, the railroad, and the
use of the public.
No one will be compelled to put his sugar
under the sheds; only those who use them will
be required to pay fifty cents per hogshead and
fifteen cents per barrel for the first charge, and
after that the tIiing charge of fifteen cents per
hogshcad ard five cents per barrel each time
it changes hands The buildings at the end of
twenty-five years are to revert to the city Mt
lcge is extended fifteen years longer. ut the pX-
piration of which time they become the yabso-
Lutte property of the corporation free of all
cost. In the meantime the proprietor agrees to
pay the city certain percentage the gross
receipts, leaving the Council to fix u fair rate
The proposed plan Will operate most advan-
tageOusly in favor of small dealers. Under The
present system only persons of large means can
invest in sugar, because il is seld in lots from
an anxiety to get it Off the lcvee; and small
dealers are compelled to buy at increased rates
from sppoDi-hanlS cd MI
all the sugar received being under cover there
is reason why the consignec should refuse
to sell single hogshead to the small dealer:
or if the small dealer buys five or six hogs
heads at time, he can withdraw Il single
hogshead from time to time, to meet the wants
of his trade, permitting the residue to remain
under shelter long as he plcases, with
ont additional cost for storage, and on the
pledge of the shed receipt lie can raise the
means to enable him to hold the sugar without
making too heavy draft on his capital. This
facility alone will produce revolution in
trade, and pHA the small dealer an equal
footing with the largo one. The cost of storage
VIII be no impeachment to the small dealer, he
caH<,Ihes purchases after the sugar is received
under cover. The original consignee pays the
first charge fifty cents, but the pur-
chaser from him will only pay fifteen cents per
hogshcad and five cents per barrel. The SUGAR
trade. hclMG thus 0pGncd to all Kinds OF dealers
on equal terms, win n necessary result, be-
setiSa-4Fe;- ea!arG4itietiy has
all engaged ia it will reap tho reward of ae--
tiyity of movement, which is the life of bust
ness. When it is considered that this improve
ment is to be effected without cost to the city.
and opens to it a new source of revenue, every
taxpayer must rejoice that the proposition of
Mr, Flietas has already, with somo modfica-
tons, received the sanction of some of the most
eniigghted and influential members of the City
Council.
1t is not surprising, however, that opposition
to the scheme has sprung up among those who
contine theiE ideas to their own interests, and
are thus rendered incapable of taking n fair
n az afN.tl,l 'hn
sons who are engaged in protecting sugar
with tarpaHlins on the levee are of course OPP
posed to the erection of these sheds. 1t is how
ever but the blind opposition of the short
sighted iabOrer in any department of business
to the introduction of improved machinery, by
which labor is saved and the manufactured
article rendered cheaper. Such opponents for
get that they gain by the choapness of the pro-
ductiOD, and that the surplus labor car he pro-
fitably employed in some atnef channel. it is
the opposition of the needle woman to the
sewing-machinc, -.1-.. '..
That the owners of refueries should oppose
a ~