The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-09-28
A MANUFACTURING CITY.

We spoke few days ago Of the necessity
of manufacturing establishments for promot-
ing the wealth of our cities and of the COM
parative restitution of New Orleans in that
respect. As an illustration of the advantages
of combining production with commerce We
instanced Philadelphia as remarkable ex-
ample, pointing out the savings and profits
which resulted.
As a further illustration of what q smaller
city may accomplish in the same direction We
give list of some of the manufactures of
San Francisco, selected from late municipal
report, promising that the remoteness of that
city from the mills, shops and stores of the
Atlantic States, as we'll as of Europe, has had
the effect of fostering and almost necessitat-
ing home production.
The manufactures of San Francisco in
1873 were valued, in part, as follows: Axle
grease s79,5O0 bedding 100000, billiard
tables $196, 900, boots and shoes $3,C00,00o,
boxes $685., 000 brass castings 1882, 900, beer
81, 200, 600, brooms SAT, 700, brushes S23, 900.
refined borax 100000; barrels, kegs, tubs
and pals S25O,OOO, candles S16S,000, cloth
ing 100000, cigars S2,22O,00O, chemicals
$50, 900, carriages, wagons and cars 5000, 900,
spices, chocolate, and coffee made or ground
$780, 900, hempen cordage 1925, 900, distilled
liquors $3.50, dry dock machinery, etc.
1875, 1908, furniture $780, 900, -four, ETC., about
So 600, 900, iron castings, etc. S25O,OO9, furs
100000, glassware 100000, gloves 5000,
hats and caps $4,000, hose and betting
S55, 900. jewelry 5000, 900, shot and leadware
$1,000, 600, sash, flooring, etc. $3.50, 600, pow
der 100000, saws 100000, silk goods
100000, silver ware $4,000, sugar refined
S., 400, 600, soap $18O,0OO, shirts $4,000,
wood and willow-ware S1sO,OOO, tools and
files So, 900, leather $500, OO0 windmills $27,-
900, type $4,000, vinegar $4,000, wire rope
100000, preserved wood 100000, yeast
powders $4,000. The wool manufactured in
two mills was four million pounds, making
], OOO OOO yards of flannel, 100000 yards of
cloth, and $780, 900 blankets, value. probably
81, 100000, employing $40 men and 10000
spindles. There are also three steam marble
works with 70 men, two salt mills with 30
men, one rolling mill with $50 men, pro-
ducing 1000 tons, four pickle factories with
400 men, twenty malt houses, six match fac
tories, and a dozen minor establishments,
which manufacture to the value of $250,000
more.
The population of San Francisco in 1866
was las, 900, of whom 22,0 0 were employed
in mechanical and manufacturing pursuits;
the population in 1873 was estimated at 49,
300, Of whom probably not less than $4,000
we're SO employed, or nearly one-third of the
male population. The number dependent
IN or supported by manufactures and me-
,hanical works can not be less, and is prob
IDLY much more than one-half of the inhabit-
lnts Of the city.
The exports and imports of San Francisco
ire small in comparison with those of New
orleans, less probably than one-third, yet her
enable her to subsist popula-
ion nearly four ffths of that of our city, while
Ter real and personal property at low assess
nent amounts to s215, OOO, 900, against $780,
100, 900 for New Orleans.
As with the metropolis, SO will it probably |
70 found with the rest of the State, that their
people use and consume very little except
ZONE products. The wonderful prosperity of
be State and its rapid increase in wealth and
numbers, are thus due in no inconsiderable
,art to its isolation and the consequent neces-
ity of home production.
The wages of labor and the cost of subsist-
nee are as great or greater in San Francisco
nan in New Orleans, and in in other respects
he facilities for manufacturing are nearly the
anne. Wood and coal for furnaces and mills
would cost less here than there, after an in
ressed and constant demand was established.
Foreign operatives can be brought to this city
With their fimiles at cost of less than one
lalf of that required to reach the Pacific
oast.
AS soon as our surplus population to the
lumber Of 4O,O were engaged in produc
i've industry, they would be able to buy
much more freely than while comparatively
die or engaged in pursuits which add nothing
o the wealth of the city. This would create
n increased demand for the products OF
farms and gardens.
The most annoying of all poverty is thatfe
" those who love work, but can find nothing
o do; therefore the man who builds and runs
factory is as much benefactor as he who
lelps to support hospital.
We know very well that high taxes are
erious drawback to such enterprises; but
his obstacle is not perpetual. We may hope
i sea il removed when our State is again
lnder the control of honest men. and when
egislstive intermeddling in the affiirs of the
ity shall cease.
One of the remarkable men of the Alabama
Constitutional Convention is Col. Bethea. He
J lawyer, but has had only one case IN his
C. L. ms Ii, I; ..t and hir Last The case