The Opelousas courier., 1893-09-09
Correspondence.

NASHVILLE, LA, Sept. 4th, 1893.
EDITOR COURIER:
The dry cool weather which has prevailed
for some time has tended to make cotton
open very fast, and that together with an
abundance of caterpillars will cut the crop
down considerably-Variously reported at
from one-fourth to one h Our farmers
are working early and late, trying with all
their might and main to gather the crop as
fast as it opens. Yet, with all their effort of
labor, TIM etc. spent at growing and harvest
ing the staple, when sent to market, the price
at which it is sold is SO low that the farmer
has little left to show for his hard toll at the
end of the seasons work. 1t is truly more
discouraging than otherwise.
Cane is at present growing, but rain is
badly needed at this date to help the cane
crop out.
No turnip seed have been sowed so far
the ground being too dry to pillow, and if seed
were sown they would not come up until a
rain fell to put dampness and life in the soil
to bring them up.
The farmers nave had an excellent time
and season for making and saving hay-and
| am glad to say that the majority OF them
have awaited themselves of the opportunity.
Very little corn has been gathered and
cribbed to date. Cotton has to be looked after
first, OF it will go to loss-and with these
hard times staring everyone in the face, it
may be best to try and save every lock of the
aeocy sIaple, ieSdfuiess OF lUS cash value.
the way this reminds me that the South
Carolina farmers are urging their governor
(Iillman) to call the legislature together for
the sole purpose OF passing q ''stay law"
They claim that the times are urgent, unless
something is done to help them to tide over
the diffculties--that their crops will not sell
for enough to pay their debts and leave to
them bread to live on through the year.
Our country East, North, West and South,
is to-day in a woeful plight. When one stops
to reflect over the conditions in which we are
now placed-more SO after all the vaulted
promises made a few months past of the
:" Reforms" that should take place as soon as
Mr.. Cleveland set his foot i'll the White
House.
But what do we see factories closed, thous-
ands of men, women and children willing and
to work, thrown out of employment,
to day starving for bread-in this the
land of liberty aud plenty.
This should not be so in q land that grows
so plentifully Of all that's needed, and much
more for the subsistence of man, and keep
him in the abundance of all that is wanted to
the home cheerful.
Take up the New York Herald, or other |
"a ,ern or northwest journals, and it is
slckening to read column after column, re-
the story of the hardships etc, that
The working people North are now passing
through, while not a word, nor hint of pity
Or hope is given out to the hungry, disparing,
Oreadless army from the White House. Once
jhe home of a Jefferson and jackson, with
'ilver demonetized At this date all indica-
point in that direction. What we ask:
ioes the Southern farmer expect to realize
rom his staple products, East India prices +! |
No! Then, let us uphold Robertson, Blan-
hard and Boatner-the men who have had
he nerve to stand by, and for the best in
erests of the people and the state at large,
md above all else.
Support our home papers which have
our battles against the money Cars
f England and the East. | am glad to see
the COURIER has come boldly to the
ront for silver. Keep it to the front.
Yours, ILLINOIS.