New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-27
Unity Of Mercantile Action.


ing for charter have in view unity Of
action to promote the interests Of produce
dealers and the trade generally, they are
entitled to every assistance. But this aid
should take such shape as to make it prac-
ticable for success. Due regard should be
had for the interests and wishes Of others,
and no power over the business Of persons
not connected with the association should
be given them. The main point conceded,
the only questions remaining are those OF
detail-the employment Of the best means
to secure the end.
The following communication is intended
to show the advantages to trade that may
be derived from unity Of action among mer-
chants. Bat it does not extend to details,
nor demonstrate the advantages On the
one hand and the disadvantages On the
other which may be expected to arse d.
rectly from some of the measures proposed
in the bill now pending before the Senate.
The exclusive right OF the agents ct the as-
sociation to weigh. gauge and inspect nearly
all the articles of produce which come to
this port, with the requirement OF the coz
currence of both buyer and seller to invoke
official supervision are, among others. some
Of the objections which we have urged
against the bill in its present shape. LII it
be said that to eliminate these features
would be to emascnlate the bill of its mos,
desirable qualities, We can only say that we
regret that the necessity exists. Such prun-
ing is, nevertheless, in our Judgment, neces-
sary. With these remarks We let the com-
munication speak for itself:
EDITOR REPUBLICANS:
When We survey the present condition of
the trade Of our city, especially IN the CON-
modify of Western produce, that COM
modify which is abso loteIy necessary for
the immediate existence OF all living crea-
turee, { nd compare the same with the bus.-
ness Of tel, eight-yee, five years ago, we
can not avoid feeling surprised at it's i'm
mense reduction ana failing Oh; The re-
duction in -four alone. of 1874 10 1875, CON-
pared with 1869 to 1870, is fifty per cent.
This reduction is not spasmodic, but it has
been gradual and steady, ror does it bear
the least evidence Of having reached it's
basis. The quiet thoroug ghfares, the idle
drays. the sluggish movement on the
levee-yee, more than all the srereotyped
daily greeting Of did you ever see such
duilness!" ""No trade, ""Nothing doing" all
indicate that the bountitul crops o. sugar
beneficial influence upon the Western
produce trade. Why should this bes
The answer is simply this: We
have ceased to be that great distributing
point which we we're in years past, and tine
enterprise and energy of the North, West
aud East is steadily and surely reducing
our now limited sphere to srll smaller
dimensions. With this picture before ne,
the future locks gloomy and unpromising,
and already some Of our merchants have
lifted their tents and settled in more active
markets. While it is true that the imme-
date prospect is not bright, we must insist
upon the fact that the future success de-
pends entirely upon the action .aken by our
people, The position cur city occupies naru
rally gives II an advantage over every sea
port OF this continent, and nothing can pre-
vent it from becoming the greatest point OF
distribution for -four and grain IN the world.
l. requires continual application OF activity
and energy, but above ali unity of action
to carry this point-a unity OF action and a
consolidation Of purpose which ls worth
more than capital itself, and which Will
ind and produce the requisite capital.
Ts effect 80 solid and wholesome an or
ganization, which will benefit not only the
Western produce interest, but our entire
community, our city and State should no
doubt cede to our merchants such powers
and privileges Is they may require to effect
it successfully. For ten years they have
struggled to establish such an Exchange,
but We regret to say without success. l, is
necessary that they should have such
powers and privileges as will make their
Exchange influential and valuable, so as TO
combine them together for one common pur-
pose, to unity Of action for that which is
beneficial to the commerce Of our port
With unity and mutual confidence they can
achieve great works.
They can regain most of their old ave
nues of trade which are now taken from
them, and for those which they have los:
forever they have an outlet through which
they can reach the whole world with grain
and flour of better quality and at less price
than any other port on this great CONT
nent. The national government has ap-
propriated millions for this purpose. Why
should not our Legislature grant our mer.
chants the privileges they ask to enable
them 70 push forward as one body for the
benefit Of the entire community