New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-31


commercial marine
New-Orlcans sustained larger losses relatively
10 population than Mobile from the Civil War,
since. In 1861. II was not only the greatest cot
ton port, with aggregate foreign and domestic
trade OF 000 but also the centre Of highly
profitable sugar and rice Industries Many
year was to elapse before this ruined market
place, which had been well-nigh destroyed in
war times, could be rebuilt and its prosperity e.
stored: but at last in 1892 it's merchants could
point to commerce OF $3.50. O00. 900 as practical
evidence that the city lad completely reganed
its prestige. Between the old order of cotton
planting with slavery and the new order of
diversified free industries there was a transition
period during which New Orleans seemed to be
idly dreaming of It's past glory; but no other
Southern city has been more completely trans
formed by recent progress. While II retains In
the creole quarter many of the quaint and
bizarre effects which render 1t. the most pctur
esque and interesting Of Southern towns. and
while Canal-st is still thronged every afternoon
with joyous, peasure-lovirg populace that is
not quite American in tone although neither
French nor Spanish in temper New Orleans has
been modernized in all essential respects by the
construction Of palatial residences. splendid
hotels and towering offce-buildings. by innumer-
able schemes of suburban improvement and by
the rebuilding Of evees new lines and the
opening Of public parks While the city has
manned the greatest cotton port OF the world. and
become one Of the largest grain ports well. 1t
has been converted into centre of manu-
featuring, with a gross annual product Of $50,
100000. Precisely when this period OF material
Improvement began 1t Is difficult to determine.
although the completion of the jett!es
n no huti ha n
accelerated progress during the last ten years.
New-Orleans has been suddenly arrested in its
career of prosperous trade. manufacturing de-
velopment and real estate improvement by the
threatened destruction II the sugar industry OF
the State. The magnitude Of this calamity APP
pals even the most conservative business men in
the city. James T. Hayden and George q.
Whitney are the leading directors OF the Whit
ney National Bank. one Oh the best managed and
most prosperous institutions Of the kind In the
South with line OF deposits exceeding sf.3OO'OO0,
and the fiscal agents Of the state Of Louisiana.
They told me that et least three-ffths OF the
sugar planters would be unable 10 meet their
engagements with their creditors and to 90 on
with their business unless their equitable claims
against the Government were recognized by Con-
gress: and that sugar-making could only be con-
tinued with the general adoption OF the c ntral
factory system and through the introduction OF
various economies in the cultivation and grinding
OF cane. This most moderate and cautious
statement OF the case and 1t accompanied
by an emphatic expression OF opinion from MI
HAYDEN. who is an old-time New-Yorker and
most influential man in New-Ore!ans. that with
out reference to the expediency or the abstract
merits OF the bounty system. planters who began
the year with Hfteen-yoars' Government con-
tract in force were justly entitled TO the bounty
on their crop for 1894 This he regarded as a
matter Of common justice since all their con-
tracts for machinery and cane during the
season were based upon the bounty law.
II is estimated that the sugar industry 81 the
State represents in lands. machinery and build
ings an investment OF sl0o,OOOOoO. and that nj
least 500 900 people interested, directly or In
directly. in its maintenance upon profitable
basis. If three-ffths, or as the planters them
selves believe, at least four-hfths of the sugar
mills are closed through the action OF the present
Congress. II will be the worst calamity which has
befallen Nevs-Orleans since the war. What
amazes the bankers and merchants OF the city Is
the stress which is now laid upon the enforce
ment OF treaty obligations for the benef; OF Ger
man sugar producers. who have received bounties
from their own Government. The removal OF the
one-eighth dlferent!al against foreign bounty
ter OF momentous concern; but the collapse OF
the sugar industry Of Louisiana through breach
OF faith and violation Of Government contract
for the payment OF bountes passes without OBJ
servation
The continuous progress Of New-Oreans and
the marvellous expansion Of its trade since the
completion OF the jetties have tended 10 confirm
Commander Maury's estimate Of the future value
Of the commerce of the Gulf Of Mexico With its
exports OF cotton and grain. its home industries
Of sugar and rice. and many manufactures. and
It's banana, orange. FISH. oyster. trucking and
lumber trade. the city under ordinary conditions
OF National prosperity has an enormous volume
Of business The Mckinley Tann. as Its full ef-
fects were known(in 1892. was mnstering direct
" to the welfare Of the city by stimulating the
sugar industry. opening new markets under reel
procity conventions and facilitating commercial
exchanges. What was then imperfectly under
stood is now adequately appreciated in conse-
ouence Of the altered conditions Of the German
bill and disordered Democratic finance.
Galveston's recovery since the war has been
temporarily retarded and finally promoted by the
same causes which have affected New-orieahs
and Mobile. The harbor improvements are Sui
incomplete but when the jetties are hh'sheo 'nere
will be a depth of twenty-three or twenty-four
fee. at the lowest. Temporarily new bars are
constantly forming. which impede navigation ana
cause great annoyance to ship-owners Dut the
ultimate success OF the engineering WORK Is GER
tain and cannot be deferred many months "ai-
weston has always been dependent upon ram LOT
its water supply. but 1t is expected tha' curing
the next summer fifteen artesian wells VIII DE !"
operation with a capacity Of 5oooooo gallons
day With deep water In the harbor ana an
abundance OF fresh water In the reservoirs anu
with Texas behind IL. the statisticians anu iea'
estate spectators have little dl'hcu'y !" io'e
casting a great future for Galveston
Nor Is 1t possible for ii visitor TO reiha'" 80
Calrastoa many days VII hont being UNFORESEEN