The Opelousas courier., 1891-09-05
TN New washington Factory

Mr.. EDIToR:-An opportunity presented
itself, and l rode to Washington, on Monday
last, to witness the first work of the newly
erected factory at that place. ! found 9
by a similar desire. The ladies We're out in
greater numbers than the gentlemen. When
I reached the building the machinery was
already in motion, and but for the wllrl OF
the main shaft, SO noIssless was 1t, that lt
would have been difficult to hear II. LIE
building is eommodious, neat nnd we'll ven.
tilatea. / did not take the dimensions, but
found it large and we'll constructed. a large
portion of the spindles is yet not set up, but
much the larger is. Ii was not all set in mo-
ten, and OF course, the perfection of its adj
iustment could be inferred only from the
noiseless working of that portion which was
at WORK. / am no judi e in such matters, but
must say it looked to M Inexperienced eye,
"a thing of mingled complications and beauty.
Those who were managing it were atfable and
polite in their efforts to explain, and the vlsi-
tors had opportunity TO crafty curiosity
and to learn. ! saw cotton spun, not into
thread, because, as was informed, the com.
| pany does not intend to make thread or
weave cotton goods before the coming year.
OF course experienced laborerS must be pro-
cured and given charge OF the spindles before
it would DO prudent to attempt the doing OF
ine work. [ was told that the company al.
ready have orders for such cotton II must
call Them cards} as were made during my
visit.
The company is composed OF prudent busl-
ness men, who will give the factory their
| personal and special attention
When put in full operation it will give EN-
ploymeBt to a large number of operatives,
| and a boom to Washington.
Other enterprises are contemplated, and
will he set on foot in tbe near future by the
people Uf that place. | had pleasant CONVEX.
sati0HS with several of them, who seemed
imbtHa with the determination to develop all
q H. .,z 81 - lA Rlnaa I . 4 9 nm ~ 1n,t nn
BILE location for an ice factory, an oil mill and
soap factory, n rice mill, Il broom factory and
IL compress. Unless tho people drop back
into summambuiisfn, from which they appear
now TO be awaking, it will not be long before
the buzz If machinery will create a constant
hum Of profitable industry.
Opei0usas would do we'll to look to its
facilities, harness tiem up with iron bands
and drive them ahead gu the road of progress
with the power Of steam. There is a future
for both tow:Es. which | think is beginning
To brighten in the vision. G. e.. Duson and
j. Meyers & &c. are actively engaged in
bringing large and valuable tracts of hither-
TO non-pr9dactIvc lands into nDtice-into
market-and it can not BE many years ere
their cultivation must add ten fold TO the
commodities which our merchants and distant
peoples, deal IN, Rice culture alone ID dee
tined 10 work very great changes III the az.
gregatt- wealth Vt st. Landry and il the
farmers could ever De persuaded to abandon
the deIasipn SO long iadulged, and now mere
than ever heretofore, Pretending disaster to
all their industry. aud reduce their cuttou
acreage, their prosperity would be insured.
That thete is 80 profit iii ita cultivation at
present prices, Is too true 10 excuse elaboration
One day this week | saw two good planters
freui AFoyetIea who came to Opeipusas and
theitee wcut III the Western portion of St
Landry, on Il tour OF observation and il guest
Of go"d rice lands. They cat bossund.
G0urH. f., n, C.