New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-07

both in cotton and other sales, with the
change of relations between the planter
and factor, and with the Geographic trans
actions of trade. It may have been prac-
ticable for the Dicks or Hills of the past
to admit "a constituent" planter into his
sanctum, take from his portfolio" for
eign letter, explain what cotton was to be
worth, and regulate the crop Of the con-
stituent or the acceptances of the house.
The provision dealer might have banked
somewhat upon the same superior and ex-
elusive knowledge of the domestic de-
mand and of the foreign market-when
New Orleans had foreign market.
When, however, the planter and laborer
buy their goods at the country stores and
the telegraph daily exposes the secrets OF
trade and the rate Of prices, much Of that
abracadabra of superior and extensive
kno Wedge, which send factors into bank
ruptcy by platoons, has, with the belief
in witchcraft and other social decisions,
passed away everywhere and forever.
We are glad to see the persistent efforts
of President Odendahl, General Bussey,
and other gentlemen of influence to estab-
fish this exchange on permanent and
practical footing. 1t is too plain to re-
quire comment that such an institution is
an eco nomy Of time, cost and labor. No
one can doubt at this day that co-opera-
ton is better than conflict.
Our pr oduce merchants will, however,
pardon US if we intimate one deficiency
in their system of business. New Orleans
was for merly port Of export to foreign
coun tries. 1t was also point of distri-
button for the products Of the interior
throug hout the lower valley of the A1issis-
sippi. The completion and competition
of the cross routes have diverted the ex-
port provision trade to the Eastern Allan
tic cities. The direct delivery, by
straight rail, to every local centre Of
the Sout hern States, has deprived New
Orleans Of the deposit and supply Of
Western produce to such points in Texas,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and
even Georgia, as could never have re-
ceived these supplies by no other route
than by way of New Orleans. The for
eign provision trade to the East
and to Europe is now conducted
by cross rail. We have no access
to Texas adequate to supply the
interior demand of that State. This
points to the necessity of one or more
railroa DIS from New Orleans to the region
indica ted. There should be, however, an
immense demand for Western provisions
and man ufactured products in the Spanish
American States and colonies south Of
New Orleans. There are impediments,
however, to this commerce which require
the atten ton Of our produce merchants
and their representatives in Congress.
We need steamships to Brazil, Venezuela
and Panama, with connections on the
west coast of the continent. We need a
modifc alton of the duties on American
provisions in the ports Of Cuba and Mexico.
The Produce Exchange should, then,
bestow its attention upon the enlargement
of our trade. 1t should, in addition to
the prices current and samples of produce,
address its consideration to these meas
ures of com mercial and diplomatic nego-
tiation. 1t should demand an equal ap-
preparation Of steam postal facilities for
regular intercourse with neighboring
States, and it should conduct a cordial
and business correspondence with the
commercial chambers and boards of trade
which represent reciprocal interest in
foreign countries. We would even sug-
gest the appointment Of standing COM
mittee on foreign trade in American pro-
visions and other products. With such
inducemen ts, such examples, and with
merchants of such ability and persever-
ance as those who conduct the Produce
Exchange, we may confidently hope to see
it established among the most useful in
SfitutionS of orr civ