The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-03-05
PLANTERS AND MERCHANTS.
Words of Wisdom 10 the Planters 0f
Louisiana which should he
Needed.
EERRUARY ID. 1871.

FEBku akh 10 lcoi.
To the Editor OF the New Orleans Deaoerat
have Just returned from the city
where | went to "make my arrange
mants for another year, or in other
words to get merchant to run me I"
for this year. Now, sir, the humila-
ton of this thing is just simply out
rageOus. Will our people go on at
this suicidal business =? Are we de-
termined to be hewers of wood and
drawers of water" for all times If
so, we are pursuing the proper course;
If we intend TO break the bonds, now
is the time TO strike. If every planter
in the State will for this year plant
corn for his own use and some to
spare, no more sofas will he worn
smooth with the wriggles of the wret-
ched planter pleading for supplies.
As you have never had any eXpe-
rience in making arrangements ! will
initiate you, for | am full of eXpe-
rience in that line, and feel fully COM
petent TO cover the case.
While in the city it was my fortune
to meet many planters hard up"
trying to arrange. The planter enters
the merchants sahctum and says:
II have called to offer you my bust
ness for another year"
Merchant-Yes well we are pleas
ed to know it,
Planter-I will need some assistance
to get through.
Merchant - Yes! About what
amount will you need, how will you
want it and how much cotton will
you ship?
Planter-I will be able to ship cot
ton on, say $1,000 to $1,000; will want
most of it in supplies some little cash,
and, as the year advances. will ship
from 400 to 500 bales of cotton.
Mercba0t -Nare yen feed snNcjeOt
to do you?
Planter-No, sir. | had some hay;
but that is all gone. | shall need
about 1900 to 1000 bushels of feed corn,
but that is included in my estimate.
Merchant-Will you need any
mules?
Planter-Yes, sir. | must have six.
| lost that number last year on ac-
count of feeding shelled corn without
hay, for hay was so high | could not
afford TO buy.
Merchant-You raised no corn your
self?
Planter-Yes, sir. | planted corn,
but my cotton pressed me so hard
that | was compelled to neglect it to
save my cotton-and SO made but lit
tie.
Merchant-Who has been doing
your business up to date?
Planter Mr.. Blank, but he does not
suit me and I desire to make change.
"
thing?
Planter-Yes, sir; | owe him about
$1,000 or $4,000 balance.
Merchant-What arrangement have
you made to settle this balance?
Planter-He is perfectly willing to
take your acceptance, payable next
fall, for the amount.
Merchant-The past season has
been rather unfavorable, and we find
so many of our friends that need our
assistance that we feel compelled to
decline YOU business, and yet yours is
II business we would like to have
under other circumstances. Excuse
me, please / see some brokers in the
cotton-room. Call and see me. Exit
planter rs bank as turnip.l
The effort is made again, and again,
with the same result, and often he
goes home and arranges with some
country merchant to run him." or
goes by the board entirely.
Now, If this planter could have said
to the merchant, i have an ample
supply of corn and hay, my mules
are fat and fine; / need some pork
and a few other articles of little inn
portance," the merchant and not the
planter would have done the dancing.
Now, do not wish to be understood
Us rejecting upon the merchants Of
New Orleans. On the contrary
know many of them and regard them
very highly, and think they do much
more for the planters than they ought
In many instances. / know many Of
them advance money and supplies |
at great risk, all of which |
would not he necessary if the planters
would simply raise their own corn
and hay. 1t would change the whole /
business, be much more pleasant and |
safer 10 all parties, and the country
would grow rich instead Of poor 10y |
The change, and now is the time to
strike.
AS for me, intend to raise corn in |
abundance, if the cotton fails.
FUTURE.