The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-08-26
THE COTTON CROP AND MONROE.

THE COTTON CROP AND MONROE,
The prospects are very fair for ,
much larger yield of cotton in the sec
ton Of country naturally tributary t,
Monroe this year than 1t has been TO,
two or three years, supposing that tn;
crop now promised can and will b,
gathered.
Two questions of importance suggest
themselves to us In contemplating this
subject: one affecting the planter, and
the other the merchant.
What is the planter doing to provide
extra labor for the gathering of his
crop: It is apparent that extra labor
will be required, whether the picking
season be favorable, or unfavorable. In
any year the cotton first picked sells
for the best price, and that is housed Is
safe from bad weather. II the crop be
heavy, the labor making is never
Sufficient for gathering, and such ap.
pears to be the contingency now to be
provided for. Tit be short, the neces-
sity to gather as fast as possible what
Is made cannot be overlooked. The
matter Of extra labor becomes, there
fore, In any possible view, a subject of
pressing moment with a people who
are greatly in need OF all the cotton
possible to be saved, as all the people
Of this valley now are. If, In provid-
ing for this contingency in gathering
which is quite certain to be general
planters will act in unison and fix some
uniform price for picking In their
several neighborhoods, we doubt not
the result will be beneficial to all con-
cerned.
Concerning the merchants; we shall
inquire what are they prepared to do to
aid the planter with means to gather
his crop until q portion is ginned suffi-
clent to supply him with means from
his own resources? Perhaps the mer-
chant himself is not plethoric with
ready money, but has he not the COM
mercial facilities, with the promising
exhibits of a large crop, to obtain
money at reasonable rates for invest
ment in cotton? He Is aware of the
means to obtain undoubted security.
The crop, for which he has been anxi.
ously waiting, is ready to be garnered,
and in few weeks the work and ex-
penses of twelve months must be
compensated, or the whole be lost.
The merchant, it would seem, could
not hope for amore favorable opportu.
nifty to OK haust his energies and increase
his store.
What are the merchants of Monroe
doing to bring large trade to this
city? Are they Offering any induce
ments to planters and buyers? Where
are their circulars, their agents, thei
displays of goods and groceries? Their,
lies nil around them a country with
splendid crop, which is naturally tribu
tary to Monroe as commercial center
The crop will come rapidly into mar
ket and will of necessity have to be
handled rapidly. The cream of the
business will be over by Christmas, and
hence the importance of early activity
on the part of our merchants. Thew
should increase their facilities, and be.
gin at once the effort te
extend their trade up ant
down the river and along it
fertile tributaries, and on the railroa,
east and west. 1t is conceded by GU
most thoughtful citizens that Monro
has reached crisis where property
holders-and most of our bushes
men are such-should be more activ
and resolute and should expend thei
vital forces not in croaking and apath,
but In energetic efforts to advance pei
manently the commercial prosperity G
the city. There is now incentive t
arouse the most Indifferent. This op
portunity lost, and two or three year
Will efapse before fortune will be SINH
larly favorable, the town, trade ane
values, meanwhile, depreciating to tina
of wayside railroad station. With
magnificent opportunities and unsur
passed natural advantages, still a de
serted village! Capital is needed, it Il
true; but what about en- ergy?