Telegram-herald., 1889-06-29

COTTON Is KING"


4 1s % Lees tottoa tke2soS~ A-2 S~ttS4
Pr~ss~s IA ths world
The greatest eotton exchange and
eolsgn presses "a tie sor.d are heated
10 ths greatest e.ty of the sunny south.
The cotton eKcaange u Nes Orleans Is
al elegant buid.ng or kenai-sance
style, bollt q a cEean4-coiored stone,
ghIy sculptBTsd ALL b4s-Ee. .ets 4ad
other ornaments The cotton exchange
SAs ia existence before the war,
znd recognized Ia February, ISL,
slth membership OF one hundfed
merchants, ehleh has increased ID over
three hundred. Ihls board OF e1-
change ~as des gned a. al ASSOCIATION
- regulate ant promote the cotton
trade OF New Orleans by having sys-
tematic rules for samplng buying, sell
lng and delivering ot cotton, a. well a.
settling dispates by arbitration. The
utility or this institution became 50
manifest that the scope OF usefulness
vas enlarged, until today merchants
feel tnat g an .ndlsPutabie assistance
T. trade. Reports of the receipts OF
cotton at al ports, rs well as exports,
meteOrolog cal reports, crop reports,
etc, are posted daily on the black
boards.
The above IS necessary convenience
much needed IN the Grand Rapids
Board of Trade Merchants and citi-
zens are allowed 10 be members, pay
their regular dues, then If they desire
to keep posted on the daily crop or
mercantile reports they are allowed 10
take such at their own Office at exOr-
bltant rates. THIS IS not as Il should
be. The Board OF Trade should take
these daily reports and pay for them
out OF the regular fund and give them
10 All the merchants, or at least to It's
members, free of charge. THIS impor-
/ tant news should be- placed on the
blackboards hourly at the Board OF
Trade building.
The New Orleans edlfice was erected
with much care, under the supervision
of a practical building committee, and
the present magnificent structure, com
| plete IN every minute detail. was
handed over 10 the association at the
cost OF s5So,OO0, not including the fur
nlture.
The interior is one large, handsome
apartment of graceful proportions sup
! ported by Corlnthian columns and
lighted by three crystal chandeliers.
The ceiling Is beautifully frescoed, and
III the center are paintings set IN
panels representing Cavalier de Ii Sale,
taking possession of Louisiana IN the
name Of the King of France; DcSoto
discovering the MIssissippi; line view
OF an extensive cotton plantation; Il
view OF Edds' Jettles. English, French
German and other shipping and marine
views. We saw many similar views
and paintings u the Mobile Exchange
building, winch Is a fine structure.
These buildings, with trade views,
give an air OF greatness to any city, and
would 10 our Ora, Grand Rapids.
At one end of the room m the New
Orleans building, Is al ring, where cotton
futures are sold. When the prices OF
cotton are tluctuatlng, u perfect pandc-
| mOnlum of cries To sell and To buy,
reigns all day until the closing hours.
\ gallery tor visitors, accessible from
the stairway or elevator, Is alwayS
and from 1t an excellent view can bc
obtained OF the animated scene below.
The upper floors of the building are
occupied a. Offices, and an elevator
takes the visitor 20 the root, from
winch IS gained L fine view of the city.