Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-12-14
HINTS ON IMMIGRATION.
DORMANT LANDS, WEEDS AND GRASS.
WHAT A HOPPER SAYS.

CApIT0LIAN on the subject OF lmnn-
grafton, urging the people Of this
State, and more particularly those OF
your immediate community, to form
organizations and adopt some plan
by which persons from other sections
may be induced to settle here. This
is a very important subject for the
consideration of the industrial classes
of Louisiana, not only the real estate
owners and those whose time and at
tention is devotedt to agricultural pur-
suits, but the mechanic, the merchant,
the manufactured and all others who
could legitimately be placed upon the
catalogue Of industrial classes. As to
whether Louisiana is in need Of immi-
grafton, is not debatable question,
nor one which requires argument. 1t
is a sclf-evident proposition. The
constant, and we may say increasing,
demand for labor, and the thousands
of acres of fertile lands lying idle all
over the State, burden instead OF a
source of profit to the possessors, is
| enough to convince all reasonable
| persons of the Importance OF united
action in IL matter which SO deeply
concerns men in all branches of bust
| ness, as well as the future prosperity
of the State. 1t is indeed misfOr-
tune-we arc compelled to admit
| it-tliat Louisiana has 50 few really
public spirited men-mcn willing to
take hold, unite in action and push
forward an object which will lead to
future public good.
In great political contests, the con-
tending parties seek to convince the
masses the Importance of adopting
and supporting their respective plat
| forms and the leaders exert themselves
to teach the people tho value OF the
doctrines they maintain and which
are for the public good. This is done
by means of the press, orators, canvas
sers and a general organization with
subdivision the whole systematized
and working in harmony. Their re-
spective doctrines are kept constant
ly before the people, are asitated, day
after day, week after week, mentI
after month and year after year.
Our people are so much eDgrossel
with their present personal pursuit
and so indifferent about the genera
welfare, that they must first be con
WINGED, then aroused to action by agi
f tation, before they will unite in al
effort to accomplish an object which
is new and untried.
! The question of labor with the plan
ters on the Mississippi river is ON
which commands serious attention
1t will prove a suicidal policy IN IN.
one to depend, wholly, in the future
upon the system Of pridial labo
4 which has existed in the past. III
negroes arc becoming more and NOR
independent. They readily see til
dependence of the planter ana be
coming less willing to submit to tn
:, rigid discipline so necessary to b
maintained with u large force, An
= without having an idea Of the in
y mense cost necessarily incurred
:, carry on operations, they arc discuss
y ing the great profits derived fre'
y their labor, and as the Longshoreme
. and steamboat crews recently struc
for higher wages, 50 will plantatio
y hands and it will be a source Of trOr
y. bic and vexation to tho planter in I'll
" future. In this state of affairs WIN
" arc we to do9 "ln time Of peace pr
~ pare for war;
y Now, sir, wish to ask this simp
question: How many planters
S. owners of Mississippi river botto
/ lands, between the mouth Of RI
II River and the city of New Orlean
3 are there, who have ever offered al
ID reasonable inducements for INTEL
T. gent, willing and industrious viii
ie people to settle on their lands ! Dor
+ all speak at once, If there be few
g, many, how many and who are the
ut that arc willing and will offer |iber
IN inducements for white farmers wi
ie families to settle on their large estate
n, where they could have intelligent al