New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-03-20
A SENSIBLE INQUIRY.

A gentleman has handed US the sub
joined letter, and requested us to make
the reply, which follows it:
| FRANKLIN, La, March, 1875.
l wish to be put in communication with
some one who understands the cotton manu-
featuring business. l have the ground, the
building and the steam power all lying idle
My object IA to ascertain the cost of putting
up machinery, spindles, LOOMS ETC., and the
| margin of profit. My lot is eight acres,
fronting on the Teche, which. as you know,
is navigable for nearly hundred miles
| above this place, piercing region of coun
| try which ships over 5000 bales of cotton.
The building is two-story saw mill, new
and heavy frame, and at little cost could
be cleaned, hoored and inclOsed to suit the
purpose. My power is a twenty horse en-
CINE, and betting, shafting, etc. Knowing
| that you take a lively interest in such en-
terprises. trust you can and will aid pe
in obtaining facts and figures to guide me.
Any information you may be kind enough
to give me will be duly appreciated.
would like to correspond with some one who
has practical knowledge of the business
in all its details.
1t would be difficult to specify any par
ticular person who would unite in the
partnership suggested. There is little
known at the North about particular To-
calities. 1t would be we'll if those who
can offer such inducements as above
stated would join in general applica-
ton at the East, and induce an inquiry
into the advantageous facts as alleged.
AS far as the circulation and influence of
the REPUBLICAN extends it will certify to
distant capitalists and mechanics that no
part of the United States affords higher
attractions than Louisiana, and no part
of Louisiana than the paradise of the
Teche. The handicraft trades may be
better planted there than in New England
because of the more abundant food, the
milder climate and the local demand.
Ths particular offer Of the correspon-
dent is worthy consideration. He wishes
to establish cotton factory. There is
but one question as to the advantage of
the Teche. 1t is the cost of fuel. Until
the upper navigation shall be opened into
the Mississippi, it will be difficult to get
coal, though Illinois coal has been sup
piled to the Teche planters for some years
past Reserving, then, the cost of fuel,
which we presume may be boated or
shipped from the river, or supplied from
the back swamp by rail, We pass to other
inducements. L. Cotton can be purchas-
ed as needed in New Orleans, thus saving
the interest and cost of Northern factories
on the stock always kept on hand by
them. There is also said to be five
thousand bales shipped from the Teche,
some of which might be purchased. The
cost of real estate is much cheaper on the
Teche than at points equally accessible at
the North.
The cost of machinery is the same de-
livered at one place as at another, the
only difference being in the cost of trans
portation. The Teche is near enough to
New Orleans to have any repairs made or
to order any duplicates back from the
machine works in Europe or America.
Then comes next the cost of labor. This
is perpetual and permanent charge, and
must be decisive of the question. If labor
be permanently cheaper the saving from
this cause capitalized will be an Offset to
the superior cost Of location or con-
struction.
great advantage of the Teche will be |
the cheapness of operative labor. The |
cost of labor Is made up of the cost Of |
The elements which COM
pose subsistence are food, clothing, and |
rents. With the abundant products,
climate and cheap lands, these |
elements are cheaper on the Teche than
It the North, consequently operative labor
IAN be afforded at lower rates if required
~ competition. The chief class of opera
ives in cotton factory are women and
girls. These operatives are unemployed
n Louisiana except to the extent of
nenial or field service. The census of