The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-06-28
A PLANTERS ASSOCIATION.


our Industries that so much needs, unanimity
{ of purpose and concert of action among its
followers, than does sugar planting, and
venture to say there is not one IN which less OF
these qualities are to be found Weniay COM
pare our plantations to miniature governments,
J each Independent Of the other, yet all so
closely allied that the peace and harmony OF
every one is more or less affected by the laws
and customs prevailing or that mty be
adopted from time to time by the neighb BRING
States Be an owner ever so gifted with
the genius of administration, should
the majority of his subjects decide
that certain law = no matter now
venerable and time-honored- should be re-
scinded or that some innovation though GER
tain to be injurious and hurtful IN Its Wori--
ings- should be promulgated and put in force
and have the example Of one or more neigh
bors where what they ask for has already been
adopted: to encourage them in their revolu-
tionary designs he, the owner, will soon find
that a majority against him in his fields are as
hard to reason with and dissuade from pur-
pose once decided upon, as unmanageable,
and as productive Of as much confusion and
damage in plantation matters, as our colored
majority are in the greater and more important
affairs of the State.
But in rescuing our plantations from this
! incubus of negro domination, we possess one
great advantage, which the State unfortun-
ately does not enjoy, for while the latter may
be subjected to the evils of misgovernment just
SO long as majority can be found to vote for
incompetent or evil disposed men, our
plantation affairs can be regulated and IN a
measure brought to perfection, by the action
| Of the planters themselves but their action
must be harmonious, general and underwriting.
We have compared our plantations to collec-
ton Of minor republics, but this anomaly pre-
sents itself in governing them-that an lntelll-
gent minority holds preponderating balance
of power.
| If this is true-and verify believe there is
not the shadow of q doubt of the correctness
Of the above conclusion-how shameful, how
criminal is our neglect to avail ourselves OF its
advantages We are all poor-the majority
every year becoming poorer. Our business,
even when best and most economically con-
dncted, is barely remunerative; and unless We
avail ourselves of every advantage within our
reach, and remove from our path every obsta-
Gle it is in our power to grapple with, our
plantations will soon be ours no more, and
we will find ourselves, if not a set OF 'Othel-
| los" with our occupations gone at least
body of men with not a cent in our pockets.
1 Planters Of Louisiana, let us combine !!
There is strong hope, yea, call it dead GER
| tainty of our ability to resurrect our anguish
| ing interests, to give fresh impetus, a new
life to our decaying prosperity, by an associa-
ton embracing all our strength, and by pro
per and judicious use of the effectiveness and
influence such combination will give u.s. Let
some of our men Of brains step forward and
inaugurate the glorous work. We have plenty
of intelligence and ability in our ranks; to the
| front, gentlemen, and take the lead; at your
bidding all will follow! Where is Bradish
johnson? He of iron nerve and indOmitable
energy The leadership is his, if he will but
| assume it and John A. Stevenson, that tough
old veteran, who makes childs play Of closing
| crevasses?
| If he but puts his shoulder to the Wheel
| we will soon be out OF the mire OF insolvency.
and careering along at fine rate on the road
| to prosperity and wealth Come, gentlemen,
| serve yourselves in thus serving us all: and,
besides receiving the unbounded thanks and
praise of the entire community for your
patriotic and public-spirited action in our
behalf reap for yourselves, on your vast
| estates, the full measure Of the benefits you
will have been chiefly instrumental in shower
ing upon u.s.
If an association such as is recommended,
is conducive Of no other good than regulating
the prices to be paid for labor it will be full
filling half Of its mission removing the deep
est and most painful thorn that now testers in
the planters side. On this question we have
all along been working in the dark. Twice
every year are we called upon to set prices to
be paid, first at the commencement of the sea-
son proper, and then again when rolling COM
mences, and just SO many times each year do
we have vast deal OF annoyance and trouble,
and experience no incOnsiderable loss, and all
for lack Of little communication and under
standing among ourselves.
When either of these periods come around,
the planter shows by his increased uneasiness
fact is, the time has arrived for him to act
but he is afraid to move until he knows ''what
the others are going to do" and as the
"others' are fully as ignorant of his intentions
as he is Of theirs, and as undecided what to do,
until they ascertain how he intends to act, the
result is that some one more anxious to make
or save his crop than to make money, offers a
price large enough to at once meet the views
of the clamorous leborers, and goes to work.
The price he is paying is soon carried to the
ears of the waiting ''others," and they, in
order to keep their hands, must pay the same
rate. Thus is a rate established that all know
is r,linous, and which not one Of them would
have voted for, had they assembled to deliber-
ate upon the subject.
am willing to pay fair rate ; no one, l
opine, is in favor of paying more than he can
afford. The fifty cents day and rations now
the prevailing price, is well enough, if it be
adhered to, and watches during the grind |
ing season be fixed in proportion. Let us
have an association in every sugar producing |
parish in the State, holding meetings twice, or
at least once a month and central associa-
ton in New Orleans, or elsewhere, in commu-
nication with all the others; let the planters
of every section have an easy manner Of COM
munication not only among their immediate
selves but with their fellow toilers in the re-
moter regions and my life upon it, fifty cents
day, with twenty-five cents for watch,
will not only be adhered to but perhaps i'm
proved upon. The truth is we are all in favor
of economy and reform but unaided and alone
nothing can be done; acting as body though,
what is there We cannot bring about? Let the
Association, which hope will soon spring in
to existence, answer the question.
Stub L. CANE,
BARArAKIA, jefferson Parish, June, 1874.
Mr. Shute the General Ticket Agent Of the