The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1891-04-04
Industrial Future of The South.

Public Opinion offered. some time
ago, three prizes for the best papers
on "The Industrial Future of the
South" The prizes have been award
ed, and it is a somewhat significant fact
tlat two Of the three were awarded to
northern men, showing If any proof on
that subject was needed that the north
is virtually interested in southern pros
perity and development, and it is es-
pecially gratifying to note that these
northern critics who studied the sitna-
ton well are able to see the superior
advantages of the south over their own
section, and to recognize. the fact that
while it is yet far behind the north in
many respects-in wealth, in pOpula-
ton and in production-its advantages
are greater, and, in the natural course
of time, it must lead the country.
Looking at the two sections from a
thoroughly disinterested standpoint,
they are able to see and call attention
to the points of superiority of the
south, most of which have already
been presented at length in the Times
Democrat.
- 10 NV = ~ iiNIS,
but only to say that those advantages
which seem to have struck the critics
most, are the following:
The extent of the country, its area
of cultivable lands, far greater than
that of any other section of the union.
The variety and quantity of its ma
t%erials, minerals, etc, and of its posi-
BILE products.
It's mineral and forest wealth, un-
equaled anywhere.
Its temperature, which interferes
least with outdoor work and with man.
%ufacturing as we'll as farming.
The length of its growing season,
which permits it, not only to cultivate
crops that are impossible in the north,
but to raise two crops where that Soc
ton raises but one.
Its rainfall, which renders droutlls
and agricultural failures less frequent
than in the west, where the rainfall is
too low.
Its coal, furnishing it with the power
needed for its factories, and so album
dant and so conveniently situated, that
it can be mined at a minimum cost.
Its water power, greater than that of
any country in the world, and which
gives it the cheapest known power for
its factories.
The fact that such minerals as it has
are conveniently situated, the iron ore,
coal and limestone being in close pro-
pinquity so as to make the cost of pig
iron very low.
Its geographical position in regard
to distribution of its products, which
enables it to market them at home or
export them either to Europe or Latin
America at a minimum cost, on ac-
count of the nearness of the producing
districts to the coast and the large !
number of navigable streams penetra-
ting the interior, and the fertility of
its soil, which yields the largest crops,
and where in consequence the cost of
living is reduced to a minimum.
These are the points concerning the
south upon which the several writer's
Oh this subject dwell as of the most
imporlance; and after weighing the
matter thoroughly they come to the
conclusion that no other section pos
sesses all these advantages 20 the same
extent, and that the south, therefore,
has a most brilliant future ahead. One
of these writers, indeed, tries to in
crease the superior advantages of the
south mathematically and figures it
out that they are fourfold as great as
those of other sections. Whether this
estimate can be depended on or not.
the fact remains that whenever this
subject is investigated critically and
all the elements weighed, the decision
is always in favor of the south, as hav-
ing the most brilliant future ahead of
it.-Times- Democrat.