The Opelousas courier., 1889-04-06
Cotton Compress and Rice Ngil,.

The st. Landry Democrat, in its last
issue, published an article written by
our worthy fellow parishioner, U. 7.
Blackshear, Esq, of Plaisance.
We hope that the facts and figures
given by Mr.. Blackshear will have the
desired effect upon such of our fellow
citizens OF the town and vicinity as feel
an interest in the prosperity thereof and
are able to contribute something, 10
the way of an investment Of money, to
the promotion Of that end.
Some time ago there was movement
In the direction of erecting a cotton com
press and rice mill here; but owlng to
the unwillingness of some of the largest
subscribers to the capital stock of the
company to begin the work short of
paid up capital that exceeded the amount
subscribed, although that was amply
sufficient to build rice mill, at
least, the scheme failed and has never
since been renewed. Since then, Alex,
andfia has built compress, aud thus
invaded some Of the territory that would
have been captured by q compress at
this place. We have heard the question
asked by some apathetic doubters
:" What good would rice mill or cot.
ton compress do Opelousas, or, for that
matter, the parish of st. Landry7" With.
out reading and pondering the lesson
that lies III the erection of such works
at Shreveport, Alexandria, Monroe and
other towns in the State, VIC could
truthfully say that it would increase the
business and population of your town,
and consequently advance it's pros
peritS. 1t would create right here. in
your town, market for compressed
cotton. and cleaned rice, which would
be attended by buyers from other States
aud countries where raw cotton and
clean rice is consumed, q decided ad-
vantage to the pfanter-for he could, If
he desired it, dispose Of lis produce di-
rectly to those who buy for manufactur-
ing purposes or for retail in their busi-
ness, instead of mere speculators, who
must and will always have margin for
their profits. We advise those who have
some public spirit and some money to
invest to read and thoughtfully con-
slider Mr.. Blackshear's article.
Don't hang back in this matter until
| it is too late, until another town on the
borders Of your perish shall erect an.
other rice mill and cotton compress, and
thus occupy territory that naturally be-
longs to Opelousas. Don't stop still
aud depend upon the Parish Court
House and e. S. Court House for your
prosperity. Don't be content with what
business movement and prosperity
trade gives. That will not greatly in
crease your population, Trade wits
upon population, depends upon it; it
doesn't create It, And trade here is
overdone. The men of property and
money should take hold of this thing in
concert As an investment 1T will pay
| them handsome returns. It will not
only yield a good percentage In the way
| of profits; but it will increase largely
| the value of their other possessions.
Look at Mr. Blackshear's figures, and
take hint in time. There is no time
to be lost in this matter. Wherever
there is cotton compress or rice mill
there will then be market for cotton
and rice. IF Opeiousas permits neigh
boring towns to establish such indus
tries, and stands idly blythe market
for both cotton and rice will soon shift
/ from her to her more enterprislng
] nejgihors Trade alone won't prevent
this from taking place. A rice mill
company with some capital and com,
press company of the same kind erected
either at Lafayette, Rayne or Crowley,
would soon show how insufficient trade
alone would be in retaining the market
j for those articles at Opelousas.