The Opelousas courier., 1900-01-20
Textile and Industrial Schools.
Editor COURIER

\ EultOf COURIER -
It is now conceded by every inteili-
gent man who has given the matter any
thought that the next few years will
witness the establishment OF cotton
mills in every section of the South, even
in the most backward secti0ns-even
in st. Landry parish. ALI have been at
last brought to see that cotton mills
amid the fields not only put money in
the pockets Of stockholders, but they
are the only means that have been dis
covered that actually enable the cotton
belt to have a voice in naming the price
of cotton. This latter fact was demon
strated this season in the Carolinas,
where there are nearly mills enough to
spin the local crop. The mills are run
ming day and night, and they bid up
cotton regardless of Liverpool or Wall
street PRICES, and many millions, through
this bidding, wb~ichsquickly had its effect
in Liverpool, were saved to the farmers
of the South. Short as the crop is, the
Neill view would have prevailed until
the best part of the crop had left the
farms. if the mills of the Carelinas had
not entered the market. This object
lesson has sunk deeply into the public
mind in the South and has intensified
the widespread desire to build rnills-a
desire that extends from Virginia to the
Rio Grande, from the gulf to the Ohio.
1t is the only known way OF putting an
end to the power of Liverpool to name
the price of the staple. The more mills
tho more price-naming power will there
be- in the place OF production the more
mills the more employment for surplus
labor, the more wealth, the more pros
perity.
These facts will become generally
known before very long, and nothing
will then prevent the rapid erection of
these mills throughout this section.
IL yon, Mr.. Editor, cannot convince our
people that they car and should estab-
lish atleast one 10 st. Landry in 1900,
you car at least urge our Legislators to
establish a textile school where our
boys can fit themselves to become su-
perintendents and managers and skilled
operators, SO thatit will not be neces-
sary in the future, as it is now necessary,
TO send North for men to fill the best
paying positions in these establish
ments, leaving to our boys only the
poorer and more laborious ones. Such
an institution exists at Black sburg, Va,
and is contributing rapidly to the equip
ment of that State for technical nnder-
takings of various kinds. Established
in 1891, it's list of living graduates shows
fortY-seven engineers, machinists and
craftsmen, fifteen chemists and twelve
professors or teachers on technical lines.
The graduates include assistant angi-
neers In revenue cutter service, techni-
cal officials of railroads, electricians,
machinists in locomotive works or for
ship-building plants, biologists. ento-
molGgists, and one is the chief electri-
cal and mechanical engineer for a gold
~ - -. 49, - ~ - - ,Rl E. 49,
other such Institution is the Georgia
School of Technology, and when it was
established, in 1896, the most sanguine
of its friends did not dare place tire
prospective enrolment beyond $50.
Last year the students numbered 425,
and many had to be turned away from
its doors for lack of room. In the mean
time, departments of electrical, civil
and textile engineering have been adj
ded, the school has now an enviable
reputation for thorough, high-grade
and efficient work, and its graduates are
occupying the most responsible and In
crati7e positions in that and other
States.
when will the South produce 4
Booker Washington ~ asks the Manu-
facturers' Record. Where is tile maj
who will do for the poor white boys of
HIS oGGbtUu INC CilECttK6 WBEk WHICH mas
already been accomplished for the col
oTed lei at Taskeegee, Alabamaq
mo Institution for white boys exists
says the Record, with The distinctive
programme followed persistently al
Tnskeegee. No prophet has yet arisen
to devote bis life exclusively to the
task of making sure the Industrial
strength of the rising generation of
white beys.n We need more mammal
training and Industrial schools where
boys OF both races can learn the indus
trial arts and go forth fully equipped
for the battle of life in the humber
spheres, or where they can serve an APP
premiership for theftextile schools or in
stltutes OF technology where they are To
be fitted for the higher and more res
ponsible positions Of managers and SUI
perintendents of the great industrial
plants which in q few years will, as sure
as the sun shines, bring wealth and
prosperity to every neighborhood in the
State. Will st. Landry furnish the mar
who will Hstart the ball TO Folling'' in
the legislature !? Will st. Mary? Will
Caddo9 Some white Booker Washing
ton surely lives in Louisiana. He must
forth. His people wait for him.
The future of the State is in his hands.
l.. A. SANDOz.
0PELoUsAs, Jan. is, 1900.