The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1889-05-04
TO FIGHT THE BAGG1xe TRUST.

TO FIGHT THE BAGGING TRUST. t
If the farmers of Louisiana do WHIST
we expect Of them at the meeting OF
the Farmers Unions at Alexandria on
the 9th inst, they will have taken the
greatest step for their protection and
prosperity aud for the prosperity of the
State that has been taken in many a
day. AS Mr.. Stallings expresses il in
his call, they are TO meet for the pur-
pose of defeating the objects of the bag
ging trust and 10 consider the advis.
ability of packing cotton in small bales.
The first OF these two propositions Is
the one that concerns them most now |
but the latter is also very important.
Our friends the farmers must con-
slider how they will defeat the trust
and do 1t. We do not think there will
be any great difference OF opinion as to
the method. It seems to be pretty |
well settled that they recognize the
fact that they will have 10 charter
cotton factory or build one themselves
and manufacture their own bagging.
They must do one of these two
things or REIGN themselves to the
mercy of the trust. We do not
think they will do this. 1t means, az
Judge Gunby clearly showed 10 his
admirable letter published In the Tele-
graph few weeks ago, that each
member of the Farmers Union will
be mu!cted about $3.50 on each bale OF
cotton raised by him. This in the ag>
gregste will amount TO about $50, 900.
The cotton planters will not and should
| not suffer such a loss. The question
then is to consider which is the most
feasible plan, the charterfng of q fac
tory Or the building and operating of
one. We think the latter infinitely
the best for the reassn that 1t will I'M
quesliODably pay handsome dividends
and the fal mers will, instead of being
squeezed by the trust, share in the
profits of the factory Of which they
will be the owners or part owners.
This view being conceded, the next
question for consideration is the most
desirable locality for the factory. And
right here We desire to prescott and
urge the claims of Monroe. Certainly
no more central and accessible point to
the cotton fields of the Slate could be
found in Louisiana. It is equidistant,
we might say, between the highlands
and the lowlands aud we have vast
cotton region above and below US. And
again, we believe Monroe can offer adj
vantases in the way Of inducements 10
the farmers to select this place as the
site for their factory superior to any
other point. We have company al
ready organized and chartered here
which would be glad to have the COS
operation and assistance Of the Farm.
er's Unions. This company has a
very large subscription of stock and
other valuable subsidies and franchise
which it would gladly unto with what
the farmers could put into the enter
prise. II an agreement VI this sort
could be made the factory would be
an immediate success, the prime Oh
ject of the farmers accomplished add
the whole Stale greatly benefited.
We cannot say as much for The
J charter plan. 1t would only be an ex
pediency. 1t might accomplish the
purpose for season but tao chances
| arc that next year We would have the
same fight to make over. With 9
cotton mill built by the Unions them,
selves or with one in which they are
Interested it would be different. W.
would have the ill In our midst auG
come what may We would always bs
ready for the emergency. We think j
would be final victory over this arct
enemy OF the cotton planter and TIL
South-tho bagging trust.
We trust the farmers will decide e
build a factory themselves and tina
they will select Monroe as its site ant
unite with the Monroe Cotton YarI
and Bagging Factory In building 1t al
once.
THE RAILROAD ASSESSMENT.