Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-09-25
FOR CONGRESS.
Gen. ]. FLOYD KING,
OF CONCORDlA.


Our Parish-..Iis Future.
The total population Of Rchand parish in
1870 was 5iOI; this year the census returns
show population OF 1927, OF an increase OF
cs26 Those who are acquainted with the
facts know that, instead Of extending over
ten years time, this increase, except from
births, has really been confined to less than
half that time A considerable tide OF i'm,
migration flowed into this parish in 1872 aud
1873, bu, j, was completely stopped by the
overflow Of 1874; this vas followed by the
hich.watcr of 1878, and this again 10y the
disastrous inuneiasion Of 1876. Thus immi.
grafton rot only efiectually stopped, but many
Of those already here became discouraged and
left The yellow fever epidemic dealt am
other terrible blow to the prosperity of our
parish in 1878. Yet, notwi,h sanding all these
Disadvantages, We see unmistakable evide ices
Of prosperity, progress and improvement all
over the parish, especially on the farms with
winch the towns do not begin to keep pace,
while the figures show that Richland is be-
hind only three parishes as to per centage IN
the in crease of population, and behind none
a 10 increase in wealth. We should also
hear in mind the fact that there has been no
Organized effort in our parish to encourage
immigration that those who have come came
of their own accord OF through the influence OF
. few individual citizens of the parish.
The most encouraging feature Of this in>
crease Of population has been chiefly from
the very class of people we want and need
all over the state, small farmers, who alone
can make this q prosperous and wealthy
country.
Now, suppose the country should be pro-
,ec,ed from overflow, the railroad completed
TO Shreveport, and our people should organize
an immigration ASSOCIATION, to cooperate with
tina, Of the state actively and energe,icalIy,
can any one doub, that Richland would soon
beco:ne one IF the first parishes in the state.
in poin, Of population, wealth and refinement!
The fac, is, nothing can prevent it becoming
80 ultimately, because we already possess all
the natural resources, that only await levels
opmen,, and it remains for our people 10 de.
,srmine whether it shall be soon or late
whether they will enjoy these advantages
themselves OF leave them entirely to theiI
posseriy.
Let 10 cree, good public buildings, fence
in and se, out shade trees upon our cour
house sqaare, 20 that persons passing through
M, p~rish on the railroad will not imagins
that We are in the last stages Of poverty and
dec,v. The fact is our cubic buildings are q
disxracs TO the parish, and we 40 not see how
anv citizen Of the parish can look upon then
wi,hou, blushing. The Jail is hardly tit TO b
used rs .. dog kennel, while it is a burning
sh,me that the old tumble down barn, tina
wa dignity with the name Of court house
.bould he allowed to stand for,y-eigM hours
We sometimes wish it would tumble down II
. he.p and then take fire and burn up
Bs., one Of the four houses that ornament {
our public square is tit for the uses 10 whlci
j, 10 applied. and j, is nothing % brag about
And these are the buildings owned aud use'
hys people whose property Is assessed
e2,23a,79O; and everybody knows that la
assessments on property DO not more thai
approximate its actual value
After we have done this, then let us organ
ize an immigration association in Our | af's
and inform the world Of the quantity OF fer'il
land in this parish that has been forfeited
the state for taxes by nonresiden:s; let ms IT,
10 have this land divided into small tract
and donated, or at least sold on the mos
favorable tefms-iis donation would soon re
pay the STATE in taxes-let the large lam
owners divide their lands into small farm
and offer them upon reasonable terms 70 pur
ch.sers or tenants; and then let the associa
thu invite farmers from all parts Of the worn
" ccms and occupy these lands, and see the
The invi'asious reach the people they wan
ord We guarantee the parish will soon b
filled. up with ssufdy farmers and their faniie
who will build up churches and schools an
cause that which is Low n malaria breed IN
Wilderness and harbos for reptiles and raver
Gus beasts to blossom rs the rose.