The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-08-22
WANT OF ENTERPRISE AMONG CAPT.
TALISTS.
From the New Orleans Times.]

TALISTS.
From the New Orleans Times
There is no question about the truth
OF the remark that New Orleans offers
a better field for money making than
any city in the United States. The
field for enterprise in larger capital has
always commanded ready and more
profitable employment, and the returns
have been and are not only remunera-
tive, but the instances are rare where
loss has been met with, when capital has
been l~egitimately and prudently en-
plOyed.
In the regular branches of mercantile
pursuits, whether in dry goods, grocer
les, hardware, clothing, boots and shoes,
etc, u city can show a record OF large
fortunes garnered in comparatively but
few years of devoted attention to bust
ness, combined with enterprise and
economy.
New Orleans is more cosmopolitan
than most cities on this continent, and
those who settle here are speedily recOg-
niZed in business as on the same footing
with older houses. The businessh house
Of to-day is not a whit behind one of
ten years standing, in the estimation of
customers, provided the same sentiment
Of integrity, fair dealing, and ccomO-
datiOn be apparent; for those who trade
in the marts of our city appear to be-
come cOsmOpOlitans as o as they get
here, and it never is a question with
them what is the nativity of this or that
merchant, what his politics OF religion.
They only ask: "Is he a good fellow to
trade with? Is he honest in his deal
ings." This information most gen.
orally is arrived at through the voice of
rumOr-Which latter, by the way, is a
most potent advertiser of the capacity
and integrity OF a merchant or business
man. With such a reputation he speed
lily becomes rich, retires from active
business, and is succeeded by the jul
Nor, or probably a confidential clerk.
The reputation of these last is generally
a part and parcel of the old house; and
if they be "tO the manor born" the bus
mess is prolonged, and carried on under
their name, admitting, from time to
time, the older clerks in the house to a
partnership. IF the same energy, ca
pacity and integrity are kept up, riches
also flow i'll upon them. This was the
rule before the 'late unpleasantness.n
Are there any exceptions to it since ?
Possibly fortunes are not made so rap
idly, and it might be said, so legitimate
ly now nevertheless, in the last six or
seven years many have risen to afnuence.
nay wealth, who at the commencement
of peace were in INDECENT circumstances.
This is particularly true of many of our
best merchants, firms composed of tried.
and trusted, men Of ante-bellum repu-
tations. Many of these houses now
transact a business, each of them. foot
ing up their millions of dollars a wear,
and at the close of the wal some, if not
all OF the firm, were left almost desti-
tute of means. And not only this class
of people, but new men coming here
from the North since the close of the
war, some of them prominent actors in
it, have met with success in the legiti-
mate pursuits of trade; some have left
with their earnings; others, but few
however, charmed withthe delightful eli
mate and pleasure Of this free city,
where no %puritanical surveillance is
kept over ones actions, have remained
as denizens and are awarded positions
of honor and trust. Integrity and at
tentiOn to business then is the secret of
success in the Crescent City, and there
are no departments of trade which do
not Oher inducements alike for making
money, when tact is combined with
energy and fair dealing. Even in the
retail grocery here in which the profits
are said to be so very small, we see the
man OF tact, energy and enterprise com
handing q steady increasing trade,
which 0 gives him wealth whilst
another, devoid Of these requisites, does
not fall it is true, but is a long time
in accommodating money.
Apart, however, from the departments
of legitimate trade, one not cOnyersant
with the fact, would be amazed to learn
how many have made, and are yearly
making money by speculating in the va.
riOus products that come to this market
outside OF cotton, sugar and rice, the
staples that are gambled in so largely
The number Of operators" who come
here every winter for the purpose OF
buying up hides, wax, tallOW, wool
moss, and other small products thai
find the way here for sale is simply as.
tonishing. Like birds of prey they
: come to a feast of the carcass, and they
make things lively with the dealers il
these articles during their stay. As
/ when they depart on the az vent of sum.
mer, which they do carrying theil
hoa. dings with them, leaving but lit,
tie behind; for economy and thrift i!
; the motto with them all. Many o.
+ these "birds o passage" come here with
"carpet-bag," andnOmoney; utwitha u
I thOrity to draw on a house in New YOrI
or Boston when they ship the purchased
goods, accompanying the draft with thu
bill of lading. One OrtWO winters here
living a life of great economy suffice!
to give to each of them sufficient CAPT
= tai to start in business at home where
/ they return. Others succeed them will
the same results, and this is the small
! stream that widens, however, as W,
shall presently see, which acts as O.;
drain to carry Oft the money that shoul(
/ remain here. . 90, 49,
l There is another class who come here
a ostensibly to stay. They bring capital
generally borrowed, and embark in tn,
. business which suits their fancy and j
thought likely. to yield the best return
e These work for a few years-leavin.
e every summer, however-hoarding III
every cent, and living in great ecOno
my, until they accumulate q moderate
competency, and then bid adieu to tn,
+ city, carrying of the result of their la
y bors in money, which they invest else
J where.
Another class are the capitalists VIII,
send their money here for investmen
in banks and insurance companies
= These draw their dividends ~regularl
= every six months, and without con
tributing one cent of taxation, live Of
e the labor of others, impOverishing II
to the extent of the dividends the
draw from here. .
u The last and most important elias
g are the capitalists residing abroad VIII,
) hold real estate here purchased on spec
# ulation, or who have lived here an,
= own property, which is leased out; an
I another division of the same class ar