The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume], August 25, 1877, Image 1

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.THE NEW ORLEANS DAILY DEMOCRAT.
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND OF THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS.
VOL. II--NO. 237. NEW ORLEANS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1877. [PRICE, FIVE CENT
WAR NOTES.
THE RUSSIANS NERVOUS.
The Tnrks Threatening their Positions
all Around. [
[Special to the Democrat.]
LoNDoN, Aug. 24.-A correspondent at the
thie Russian headquarters telegraphs that it
a nervous time for the Russianis until their
strength increases sufficiently to put them
womparatively at ease. A blow may fall any
day and strain their resourcrs to the utmost.
The Turks are menacing the Russian posi
tions all around.
The defenders of Schipka pass consist of
but twenty companies.
Very few reinforcements have as yet
reached the Russian troops in front of Plev
na, the forces there being unquestionably
Inferibr in numbers to Osman Pasha's army.
I roughly estimate the whole Russian force
a~nfronting Plevna at from 65,000 to 75,000
men, who are eager to be allowed to fight
and do not smother their murmurs at delay.
Russia and Roumanna Fail to Agree.
[Special to the Democrat.]
LONDON, Aug. 24.-A Vienna correspondent
states that a telegram from Burcharest says
that negotiations respecting the conclusion of
a military convention between Roumania and
Russia fell to the ground. The Grand Duke
Nicholas declares that any independent action
of the Roumanian army was not permissa
ble. In the meanwhile the Russians have in
corporated a Roumanian division with their
own troops.
Insurrection in Crete and Thessaly.
[Special to the Democrat.]
LONDON, Aug. 24.-An insurrection has
broken out in Crete. Two engagements have
been fought, in which thirty-six Turks and
seven Christians were killed.
Thessaly is reported in a state of brigand
age which must end in an insurrection.
The Turkish Attack on the Passes.
[Special to the Democrat]
LONDON, Aug. 24.-The Times' Vienna cor
respondent remarks, relative to the attack on
iSchipka Pass, that all along the main range of
the Balkans, especially along Tundja Valley,
the face of the mountains is a precipitous
rock, through which the road leads up in
steep courves. However much of the bulk of
8uletman Pasha's forces may have been inured
to mountain warfare, and however heroic
may have been their efforts within the last
few days, it will be little short of a miracle if
they should ultimately succeed in carrying
the pass.
Bainkol Pass.
[Special to the Democrat.]
LONDON, Aug.-24.-The News' correspond
eut at the Russian headquarters explains the
mystification which has arisen concerning
the reported capture of Bainkoi Pass by the
Turks. He says that on the 16th a colu 4
S4leiman Pasha's formes satimpd e iiu
ouhly to force the pass. It has been reported
they were successful, but although the col
umn did indeed force its way into the defile,
it was there so roughly handled by the Rus
Stan artillery and regiments holding the pass,
that it was compelled to retire.
Germany Hostile to Turkey.
Special t,) the Democrat.]
LONDON, Aug. 24.-Several special dis
patches remark the hostile tone of the Ger
man semi-official press towards Turkey. The
Turkish Embassy at Berlin having, through
the telegraph agency, contradicted the report
that the perpetrators of the Salonica massa
Ore had been reimprisoned, the ministerial
Novodeutsche expressly begs to observe that
the statements put forward by the Turkish
foreign department are notoriously untrust
worthy.
Sulelman Pasha Reinforced.
[Special to the De noerat.I
LONDON, Aug. 24.- Suleiman Pasha has
been reinforced by two divisions under Ras
sim Pasha.
Russia Calling Out Its Peasanrts.
[Hp ,cial to the Demnoerat.
LONDON, Aug. 21.--A Moscow correspon
dent says peasants are being called off to join
the imperial army. A general call is being
made for all to serve in the militia.
TRHI TWO AREMII.
Ilow Arrival of the Russian Reinforce
ments.
LONDON, Aug. 24.-The Daily Neas' cor
respondent telegraphs from Russian head
uarters, Wednesday: The defenders of
Schipka Pas consist of twenty companies.
The second division has therefore, been di
verted from its intended destination before
Plevna, and is marching on Schipka Pass. In
a recent visit to the front before Plevna, I was
surprisedlto find that so few reinforcements
had reached the Russian troops holding it.
They are unquestionably inferior in numbers
to Osman Pasha's army, but to-day sooX)
reserves are crossing the Danube to fill up
Ytl ar the Ninth Corps. On the other
' Schackoskoy has marched lhis
to his original position, con
it n Pasha. Acrordingly. on the
- -, when the Ninth Corps gets its
complement, the Russians will have tiwo
army corps-Fourth and Ninth-including
the forces at Wacherz, Lovatz and Selvi.
I roughly estimate the whole Russian force
confronting Plevna at from 65,000 to 75.000
men. The bulk of the reinforcements are
somewhat delayed on the way from the Rus
sian base, but the cavalry division of guards
is expected to cross the Danube in a fort
night, and a brigade per day to follow in a
steady stream.
The water is bad here. The Emperor has
been slightly indisposed, but is now quite re
covered.
Anot her Turkish Victory.
LONDON, Aug. 24.-The Timer' dispatch
from Therapxa reports that the Porte has
officially informed the British Embassy that
Mehemet All has gained a victory between
Osman Bazar and Eski D'juma, capturing
several guns and inflicting great loss. The
Russians were the attacking party.
DOMESTIC NEWS.
The Connecticut Greenbackers.
[lpe'ial to the Democrat.]
NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 24.-At a meeting
of some fifteen thousand greenback men last
night resolutions were adopted calling for a
repeal of the resumption act; the full re
onetization of silver; the passage of an act
aking greenbacks full legal tender and in
angeable with bonds: tle adoption of
equitable system of tax.s; the abolition of
monopolies; opposition to subsidies, and con
demning Secretary Sherman and calling for
his removal.
' he Coal Miners Want Arbitration.
[8pecial to the Democrat.]
CirnICAo, Aug. 24.-The coal miners in the
vicinity of LaSalle, who struck July 27, have
petitioned the United States Court to arbitrate
upon and adjust grievancesbetween them and
the receiver of the Northern Illinois Coal
Company.
lieward's Whereabouts.
[ip(ctal to he Democrat.]
SALT LAKE, Aug. 24.-Gen. Howard arrived
at Virginia City, Montana, this morning.
His command is waiting at Henry's Lake for
supplies.
The NBadinal Board of Trade.
L[Rp.lal to the Democrat.]
MILWAUKZa, Aug. 24.-In the National
Board of Trade to-day, J. D. Hayes. of D)e
troit, presented a report in favor of establish
ing a department of commerce, the chief ofli
ser to be a member of the Cabinet.
The President's Tour.
[Spocial to the Democrat.]
NEW YORK, Aug. 24.-The presidential par
ty arrived here about 6 o'clock this morning,
and after breakfasting took the 8:55 train for
Washington. When the President started for
the train, three rousing cheers were given by
the crowd gathered in front of the hotel.
The Scouting Indlanq.
[Soecial to the Democrat.]
SALT LAKE, Aug. 24.-Reports from Vir
ginia City, Montana. this morning say that
the Indians are reported this morning on the
Madison river, forty miles below Henry Lake.
Most of the families in the Madison Valley
came to Virginia City during the night. The
Indians have gathered many horses and kill
ed one man on Wolf creek. It is probably
only a straggling party, but it cuts off all com
munication with Gen. Howard by that route.
Courier and provision wagons on route have
been stopped. No news from Howard since
night before last.
A Modern Blunebeard.
[Special to the Democrat.i
CIN(INNATI, Aug. 24.-Dr. W. F. Cooper,
living near Charleston, West Virginia, was
yesterday arrested for poisoning his wife,
she being his third wife. Both his former
wives having died suddenly, under what was
considered suspicious circumstances, it is
now supposed he poisoned them also; their
bodies will be exhumed and examined for
traces of poison.
A Terrible Murderer.
[Special to the Democrat.]
WHITING, Ala., Aug. 24.-As the train was
leaving Pensacola to-day the sheriff, with a
posse, boarded the.cars to assist the Texan
offieers to arrest the notorious John Wesley
Hardin, said to have committed twenty-seven
"murders, and for whose body the Texas Legis
lature has offered a reward of $4000. His last
murder was the killing of the sheriff of
Comanche county, Tex. He has lived in
Florida for several years under the name of
John Swain. About twenty shots were fired
before his arrest was effected, and Hardin's
companion, named Mann, who had a pistol in
his hand. was killed.
The lirting Bull Commission.
WASHINGTON Aug. 24.--(en. Terry is still
sick and Gen. McNiel has telegraphed Secre
tary Schurz that on account of illness he can
not serve on the Sitting Bull Commission. It
is understood Gen. Francis A. Walker. of
Connecticut, has been invited to take his
place.
The idea of traveling one or two thousand
miles. paying one's own expenses, and with
the possibility of meeting the fate of CaNbIy,
serves to sicken all who are invited to act as
members of the commission.
FOREIGN NEWS.
Pattt's Sult.
PARis, Aug. 24.-Adelini Patti hls brought
suit for the nullity of the marriage against
the Marquis of Caux. The sunmmons alleges
that the marriage is null and void because the
priest, Rev. Mr. Plunkett, who performed the
ceremony in England, had no license from his
archbishop.
MONEY AND STOCKS.
[DSeelal to the Democrat.]
NEW YORK, Aug. 24.-Gold 104%. U. S. 6's
of 1881, 110,;0t10lo ; do. coupons 111Vr011114 ;
new 41/,'s 106%; do. coupons 108; do. 18(;5,
new issue, 106r(1061/; do. 1867, 10811; do. 1868,
coupons, 110%; 10-40's, 109; do. coupons, 1121%
@112%; currency 6's, 123%,; new 5's, 109.
LONDON, Aug. 24.-Consols for money
95-4,; U. S. 5-20's of 1865, 105/4; do. 1867. 107tq%;
10-40's, 108%; now 5's, 107%; Erie, 100.
DOMESTIC M&RKETS.
[Special to the Democrat.]
CINCINNATI, Aug. 24.-Flour quiet. Wheat
dull; white $1 20041 28. Corn and oats un
changed. Whisky steady and firmn; $1 10.
Pork easier; $12 50. Lard quiet; 8t,. Bulk
meats and bacon slow and unchanged.
CHICAGO, Aug. 24.-Wheat quiet; 96~! Sep
tember. Corn steady; 41,H September, 42
October. Provisions quiet. Pork steady anc
quiet: sales $12 10 September, $12 171, Octo
ber. Lard quiet; 8.10@8.1211 September, 8.15
(4(8.17>/ October.
ST. Louis, Aug. 24.-Flour dull and un
changed. Wheat lower; No. 2 red $1 27:}
cash ; No. :3 do $1 16,/ cash; $1 071%,i1 0714
September. Corn lower; 39(43R cash: 3.94
Septem.luer; 41',1',41 October. Oats quiet, 27.
Whisky unchanged, $1 09. Pork dull. $12 40
bid cash or August. Bulk meats-nothing
doing. Bacon stea(ly, 5, a@57. Lard nominal.
RIVER NEWS.
tpe'ial to the Democrat.]
MEMi'His, Aug. 24.--Departed: Yaeger. for
St. Louis.
THE WEATHER YESTERDAY.
The following is the "temperature" at the
various points named, as reported by the
Signal Service telegrams furnished by Ser
geant Brown, of the Signal Bureau, and indi
cating the state of the temperature at the
points named, at 3 p. m. yesterday:
Cairo 79 degrees, Cincinnati 78, Galveston
91, Keokuk 78, LaCrosse 83, Leavenworth 79,
Louisville 78, Memphis 81, Nashville 79,
Omaha 79, Pittsburg 82, Shreveport 92, St.
Louis 78, St. Paul 84, Vicksburg 87, Yankton
(D. T.) 82 Augusta (Ga.) 90, Corsicana (Tex.)
75, Mobile 90, Montgomery 86, Savannah 89,
New Orleans 88, and Key West 88.
The following were the variations of tem
perature, according to the thermometer
Fahrenheit) at Duhamel's store, on Canal
street, yesterday:
6 a. m., 76; 12 noon, 89; 3 p. m., 91; 6p.
in., 85; and at 3 p. m. 142 in the sun.
OUK POSTAL RELATIONS.
THE POSTAL CONVENTION'S ADDRESS
TO OUR COMlMERIAL INSTITUrIONS.
New Orleans, South and Central America
and the West Indies.
To the Chamber of Commerce, Cotton Ex
change and Produce Exchange of New
Orleans, La.:
(Extracts of proceedings at Postal (Cnven
tion, Old Point Comfort, Va.]
July 26, 1877. "* * * * * *
"Resoled, That the Chamber of Commerce
and other commercial bodies here repre
sented be requested to confer with the Repre
sentatives and Senators in Congress of these
several States and urge upon them the warm
est and most persistent support of the me
morial as set forth by the convention."
[Extract of Memorial to Congress.J
"That the following important measures be
provided for:
"1. The establishment of limited mail ser
vice, passing through Washington and con
necting the great cities of the Atlantic and
Gulf States from Boston to New Orleans.
"2. The establishment of other through and
trunk lines of fast mail communication be
tween such points in the East, North and
Northwest on one hand and such points in
the ioutheast, South and Southwest on the
other hand as will bring the benefit of such
lines within reach of the most important cen
tres of trade and influence.
"3. The establishment of quick transporta
tion and railroad postoliceas subsidiary to the
above described lhmited mail and trunk lines,
and operated in close connection with them.
"4. The extension of railroad postofflces
over mail routes within th'e area of the above
named States" (Virginia. North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee,
Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.)
"5. The extension and improvement of star
service, of service by river and coasting
steamers. and of country mails generally
throughout this area.
"6. The establishment of some substantial
basis of mail contracts of steamship lines be
tween Southern sea ports, and ports of South
America, Central America and the West
Intlies." * * * * * *
"Calling your attention to allove resolution,
we would ask your co-operation in urging
upon Congress the adoption of such meas
ures as are therein suggested.
"You may deem it proper to have prepared
a meniorial for the signatures of your mem
bers and otlief citizens, showing the especial
importance of the sixth section of the con
vention memorial, and urging the claim of
New Orleans as the 'Southern port' most
suitable for mail c'onnection with 'South
America, Central America and the West In
dies.'
"In this we think t he commercial bodies of
the Missississippi valley and of the principal
Southern cities would join, and we suggest
that they Ibe requested to co-operate.
T. TUPlPER.
Jos. A. AIKEN.
A. J. GOMILA.
CHAS. CHAFFE.
C. L. WAVLKER."
HARD TIMES IN CONSTANTINOPLE.
[N. Y. Times.]
CONSTANTINOPLE, July 8.-The people
of the country are being pressed for
money contributions to an alarming ex
tent. The financial distress on the part
of the government is something terri
ble, and that of the people is piti
ful to see. Here in Constantino
ple not a day passes without some
hungry-eyed woman or child ap
pearing at our door and crying for
bread. If you go in the street with ever
so small a parcel in your hands, you
are beset with offers to carry it, finally
ending in the imploring wail, "Please
let me carry it; I won't ask much, but I
want some bread to eat."
There are well-to-do families who
have not eaten anything but dry bread
for weeks, and are thankful to get that.
There are mothers whose babes are
dying of starvation; there are families
whose young girls are being besought
to go on the streets to beg bread, and
whose young men wander about the
whole day in search of work, and stag
ger home wearied and heart-sick every
night with the same cry, "Chi k'dar-I
couldn't find it." This is the condition of
many of the Christians of this city. The
same story comes up from all neighbor
ing cities, with cries for help, and it is
evident that help must come to them
from abroad, or many will go down to
their graves with the blackness of fam
ine on their feces. This being the con
dition of the Christians, the state of the
women and children left behind by the
Moslem volunteers and conscripts may
be imagined. Their wretchedness is
hidden in the distant villages, unreached
by any highway, and the story is un
chronicled in any public print. There
is imminent danger of famine and pes
tilence coming in the track of this war.
MORE SECRET ORDERS OF AGITATORS.
Some of the Organizations in Pittsburg
Their Sympathy andl Object.
[Pitteburg (Penn.) Telegraph, Auguest 10.]
The agitation in labor circles during
the past three years, and the busy, cun
ning work of scheming men who seek
argrandizement by exciting the preju
dices of the ignorant among the
lower classes, has caused the outgrowth
of numerous organizations which, while
working independently, have the same
ultimate object in view, and propose to
accomplish this purpose through the
same channel, namely, the ballot-box.
The recent troubles in this city and
elsewhere have given a great impetus to
the growth of these organizations, and
working men by the hundreds are pay
ing their necessary dues and taking the
strange oaths which, with their ex
planatory adjuncts, seem to lend a dig
nity to the order. When the Ancient
Order of United Workmen was first
started it had for its prime object the
liberation of labor from its bondage to
capital, but this order soon lapsed into
a mutual assurance society, and has
now a vast membership.
The Sovereigns of Industry are nearly
as mild in their instructions, though
smacking somewhat more strongly of
antagonism to capital. The Bees is a
society of recent organization, whose
membership is confined almost wholly
to this county at present. One Prysock.
of Allegheny, is or was the head centre.
He is illiterate to the last degree, can
not even read or write, but invented a
remarkable cipher, which holds invio
lable the secrets of the order.
Prysock has worked extensively
among the miners of the county,
and probably has made a pretty good
thing out of it. The oaths contain ex
pressions of the bitterest enmity toward
capitalists, and look upon violence as
excusable if the ballot is not sufficient
in the accomplishment of their oeject.
A slightly more dignified order is one
whose name is unknown to any but
members, but which is symbolized by
five stars. It has probably been pro
ductive of more sedition in the ranks of
working men than any other order.
The Junior Sons of '76 is the most ex
tensive order among working men in
this State. It was organized simulta
neously in Beaver Dauphin and other
counties about eighteen months ago.
At present all these organizations, ex
cept the first named, are drawn closely
together, their rituals are similar, and
a coalition is probable. At least they
will work together in all movements,
political or otherwise, this autumn. An
Intelligent, sagacious member of at
least three of these organizations in.
formed a Telegraph reporter this morn
ing that the best, most intelligent and
industrious working men are not active
workers in these orders, but that they
are captured by the ignorant, preju
diced, hypocritical, scheming and
vicious, and must, if not exposed and
broken up, create serious trouble.
REPUDIATION IN KANSAS.
More of the Kansas Counties Repudiating
Their Debts,
[Ohicago Times.]
LEAVENWORTH, Aug. 19.-The State of
Kansas is plodding steadily upon its way
to reonidiation, and if this recklessness
of voting bonds to aid every scheme
which is thrown upon the voice of the
people continues, it will not take this
commonwealth long to reach the goal
arrived at by Minnesota. State finances
at the present time are in an excellent
condition, but the counties, and partic
ularly those which have been settled
long enough to catch the railroad fever
which was epidemic from 1865 to 1873,
are rapidly running into bankruptcy.
The debt of this county, together with
the interest thereon, is about $1,200,000,
and the assessed value of all taxable
property in the county but $800,000, so
that if the county were sold to-day at
sheriff's sale for what it is assessed, it
would leave its creditors $400,000 in the
lurch. Numbers of other counties are
in the same situation. The Franklin
county commissioners, following
Leavenworth county's example, have
declined to levy a tax for the payment
of any interest upon its railroad bonded
indebtedness. The commissioners of
Anderson county have also done the
same, and, more than that, they refuse
to set a time when they will meet for
that purpose. The citizens of Douglass
county are to vote upon the 4th of next.
month upon the proposition to compro
mise the railroad indebtedness at fifty
cents upon the dollar, and Doniphan
county has flatly refused to make any
levy whatever to pay the interest upon
her railroad indebtedness. The railroad
debt of Douglas county, together with
four years accrued and unpaid interest,
amounts to $800,000. The citizens of
Ohetopa, who owe $125,000 and whose
property is assessed at $80,000, are offer
ing to compromise at twenty-five per
cent. Johnson, Allen. and several
other counties are similarly situated
and must either compromise or repudi
ate, and in the present state of feelings
against the bondholders, the latter
seems to be much the more in favor.
A REMARKABLE REINFORCEWENT.
[N. Y. Tribune.]
The Russian babes are shouting "On
to the Balkan." One night about a
month ago a dozen children were miss
ing in Kischeneff. One father after an
other sent word to the police that a child
was lost. The streets, the back yards
and the Hebrew quarter were ransacked,
but the urchins could not be found; and
when morning came their mothers were
convinced that they had either been
kidnapped bya gipsy tribe or chopped
into sausage meat by Bashi-Bazouks.
Mounted patrols set out in the direction
of the Pruth to scour the country, and
about ten miles from the city the
youngsters were found. The taller boys
were armed with second hand muskets
and pistols, and the smaller urchins in
the rear had sticks and wooden swords;
and all were marching on Constanti
nople! They had p.ssed the night in a
little wood by the roadside, and after
their bivouac had resumed their march
in excellent order. Their commissariat
had been managed admirably, for they
had taken luncheon with them from
town and had breakfasted heartily in
camp. When the police asked them
where they were going they replied,
briskly, "To reinforce the army." The
advance of the recruits was checked and
a retreat was ordered on Kischeneff.
Such spirited lads oubt not to have
been whipped after th ~rot home, but
we dare say they were.' The domestic
proverb, which applies to the Russian's
children as well as his wife, runs, "Love
them as your own soul, and beat them
like your fur jacket."
PROPOSED INCRE SE OF THE ARMY.
[Cincinnati Enquirer.]
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 1877.-There is
a movement on foot which will be
vigorously pressed at the coming ses
sion of Congress to induce that body to
increase the infantry regiments of the
army to twelve companies each, instead
of ten, as now constituted, and allow
each regiment an additional lieutenant
colonel and major. If successful, it
would give to the army twenty
five lieutenant colonels and the
same number of majors, fifty cap
tains and one hundred lieutenants; in
all 200 commissioned officers. The
pressure for such increase comes from
the South, the object being, if success
ful, to induce the President to select the
officers thus to be appointed from that
section. It is thought by those who will
agitate the subject that if the President
will assure Southern Representatives
that he will select the officers from the
South, it will receive almost the solid
support of its Representatives, sufficient
to carry the measur3 through Congress.
It will be urged upon the Southern
Representatives that such legislation
will tend to produce a good feeling to
ward the army in the South, and will
remove the prejudice which has existed
against it since the close of the war.
Inasmuch as such movement would
tend to further popularize the Presi
dent among the Southern people, it is
more than probable that he will recom
mend legislation looking to the increase
of the army, and will cite the experi
ence of the recent railroad strikes as
evidence that a larger military force is
desirable.
THE SIUGAR CROP.
INTERVIEWS WITH SOME OF OUR
LEADING BROKElRS ANI MER
CHANTS.
The General Opinion In that the Prospects
Are Fair.
Our climate is so changeable and unc-rtain
that it may perhaps appear premature to give to
the public opinions concerning the sugar crop,
ultimate success of what depends so largely
upon the conduct of the weather and the general
deportment of winds and temperatare. With a
view to give a general opinion, however, of the
present status of the crops, going far to
give an idea of the prospects so interesting to a
large portion of our community, we thought that
interviews with our leading sugar merchants and
brokers would be good reading for the commu
nity, and, therefore, our reporter went around
and talked about the matter with the parties
most interested in the business, with the idea of
giving to the public what facts he might elicit
from the shock of conversation.
After careful reading of the subjoined inter
views it appears that the situation at present is
good, and that the prospects are fair. It is true
that the cane is somewhat backward in general,
but that is made up by the greater a:reage
planted. The stubble, it must be said, his been
in many, we might as well say, in most loc alities,
a failure, but the plant cane by its steady growth
and healthy development has more than coun.
terbalanced the lhzy and sickly results of its in
ferior sisters. As far as we can judge from the
interviews published below, there will be
a very small difference between the growing
crop and that of last year. If the season is very
favorable there will be no doubt an excess over
last year's products, and if the weather happens
to be untoward a little diminution may be ex
pected. As.matters now stand the prospects are
go., and our merchants interested in the s3gar
business may depend upon a fair crop. At all
events, unless all the elements combine against
the sugar planters the present data tend to show
that the crop will be at least equal to last year's.
We give as follows the result of our various in
terviews:
RICHARD MILLIKIN, USQ.
The inquiry as to the progreess and prospects
of the crop was not unattended with some diffi
culty. In the first place, those who thought they
knew all about it didn't feel inclined to furnish
all the private intelligence they were possessed
of for reasons obvious to commercial men, and
those who didn't know too much did not care to
let out what they wanted to know. On the whole,
it was somewhat of a difficult task for a reporter
to average the opinions expressed in the coming
sugar crop, for at this season of the year it is
next to impossible to form any aoourate estimate.
In his tour through the sugar mart tthe reporter
happened to greet first that veteran in fhe trade,
Richard Milliken, Esq., when the following col
loquy ensued:
Reporter-Mr. Milliken, the DEMOCRAT is about
to publish a fair statementof the coming sugar
crop, and as you are one of the most experienced
men in the business, I thought a call on you
might develop the true condition of things.
Mr. Milliken-I am just a little busy now but
I'll give you all the information I can. I had
much rather that you should call a little later.
Rep.-Mr. Milliken, it would be a source of
considerable satisfacetion to our readers to know
everything about our coming sugar crop, and if
you would be kind enough to give me your
opinion it may be of interest to our readers.
Mr. Milliken-Well, as things now stand, I can't
give you an opini",n about the crop, for nobody
can. You take us just as we are between sea
sens, and I couldn't give you an opinion that
would be authentic or sure, because nobody
knows anything about it. I would dislike to ex
press any positive opinion.
Rep.-Mr. Milliken, what do you think of the
coming crop? 'Will it compare favorably with
that of last year or not ?
Mr. M.-You can understand about as well as I
can that I cannot form an opinion now any more
than you can, and I cannot express a positive
opinion any more than you can.
l~ep.-Takiug all things into consideration, do
you think our sugar crop of this year will come
up to that of last?
Mr. 11.-To giva you my own opinion from
what I have seen, and that in a very few words, I
think we will have this autumn what might be
called a fair crop. It as true the stubble is very
poor, so far as I have heard, but the plant
cane looks favorable. If we have a eood fall, one
in which during the latter part we have rain, the
crop will tunn out well.
Rep.-T'k ng all in all, don't you think we will
have what might be called a fully fair crop?
Mr. M.-Ah I that's hard to say. I haven't got
time to talk to you at length, or I could tell you
much more. All I know is what intelligence
comes to me. As everything now is, the stubble
is late and the cane not like that of flat year.
A. ThO]SOn.
After some little delay the reporter was ushered
into the presence of A. Thomson, Esq., whose
prominence in sugar circles is too well known to
need comment. Mr. Thomson, after the object
of the reporter was made known, in a most
agreeable manner received the quill driver and
expressed much pleasure at the visit. The re
porter opened the subject.
Rep.--Mr. Thomson, the DEMOCaAT desires
to publish, as nearly correct as possible, a
statement of the prospects of the coming sugar
crop. Could 3ou give me what information oun
possess on the subject?
Mr. Thomson-With pleasure, sir; I have been
suffering for some time past, and have been
really too much indispo'ed to be thoroughly up
in the market. From what I have heard we can
expect a fair crop this year.
Rtep.-From your correspondence what would
yon judge the yield to amount to this season?
Mr. T.-That is something I could not definite
ly state. The crop so far is much better up the
coast than down, and as far as one can judge the
yield will be good. On Eurbridge's and Miller's
plantations the crop will be very good if we have
weather that is at all favorable. The cane is now
drawing well, ar.d looks flue for ripening. Takir g
ail in all I think we'll have a crop of 170o,00 hr gs
heads ifthe weather is good for the growing crop.
tRep.-I)n't youn think that is a rather high
estimate?
Mr. T.-No, not at all; if we have the weather
for cane. It all depends upon that. There has
been a great deal of fertilizers used this year,
and the result has been that they have increased
the size of the cane, but whether the production
of the saccharine matter has been inoreased re
mains to be seen. As a rule, however, from those
places I have heard from the stubble is very poor,
and it will produce but very httle, if anything, in
the way of sugar.
Rep.- What would you consider a fair estimate
of the conmition of the sugar crop as it now
stands?
Mr. T.-From what I have seen I would
jluge the crop to be what might be called fully
fair, and the prospect. favorable for a good crop,
that is a good fair crop.
The reporter next called upon Mr. William
Agar, of the well known firm of
AGAR & LELONO.
After the usual civilities Mr. Agar expressed
the opinion that it was now impossible to give a
clear opinin about the cming crop. The re
porter said:
Mr. Agar, knowing your ioun connection with
the eng,sr business. and as the DeaMORAT desires
to pubtish a carelul estimate of our coming sugar
crop, I have called on you for sunh information
as you might be able to furnish me.
Mr. Agar-That is a question a little diffiuonlt to
answer off hand, and an our firm are only buyers,
we don't know as much about the market as a
number of others do.
Rep.--From your correspondence w th the
planters in the country are the reports favorable?
Mr. Agar-At present our correspondence with
p!anters is very limited.
ltep.-But you keep fully posted as regards the
condition of the growing crop?
Mr. Agar, laughingly-Of course we do; that's
our businees.
Rep.-From what you gather then whatwould
you judge, Mr. Agar, to be the yield of our grow
ug sugaer eane?
Mr. Agar--Taking all things into consideration,
if we have a fair season 1 think the crop will run
up to fully ten per cent over that of last year.
Rap.-Fully ten per cent?
Mr. Agar-Yes, sir; 10 per cent; that is, if we
have a good fall. It tll depends on that. We
can't have much of a crop if we have storms late
in our autumn, and, another thing, these freezes
we have ab )mt the let of September may curtail
our yield. IL all depends upon that.
Leaving Mr. Agar, the next visit was paid to
the house of that experienced firm,
XME5tR5. BRI.eRRe a WOOAN,
whose familiarity with the trade entitles their
opin'on to high consideration.
From them we learned that, taking all things
into consideration, the growing crop was one to
congratulate ourselves upon. The stubble has
been a source of much disappointment, and can.
not enter as a large factor into an estimate for
this year. The cane, it is true, is thin and small,
but that is no criterion of its yield, for the saccha
rine matter may be large in even small case. The
size of the cane indicates nothing as to the yield.
After leaving MesPre. Agar & Lelong the re
porter called upon
M5E5BtS. DYMOND & (ABNDES.
The members of the firm happened to be absent,
but Mr. Pitot, the courteous bookkeeper, gave all
the information tn his possession.
A recent trip through Plaqugmines on the part
of a member of the house evidenced the fact
that in that parish from present repprta the
cane is drawing well and promises wall.
A. TxeRTROU.
It was a source of pleasure to the reporter to
meet Mr. A. Tertron, the well known sugar factor,
who received his journalistic acquaintance with
his usual courtesy.
After a desultory talk, ,Mr. Tertrou answere4
the reporter:
I would give you all that I know willingly, but,
to tell the truth, it is a little more than Impos
sible to give an accurate statement of what the
condition of cane as how growing is.
Rep.-Have you been of late throwgh the sugar
parishes?
Mr. Tertrou-I have been through moseet of the
river parishes from Iberville down the river, and
from what I saw I thiunk the stubble will
be very poor. In the Lafourohe distriot,
where I have been, the cane is between three
or four weeks behindhand, and its condi
tion is indifferent, taking it as a general thing.
Our correspondence from the Teche country re
ports about the same thing, and the yield cannot
be greater than last year.
Rep.-And what do you think that will be this
year?
Mr. Tertrou--From all I can gather I do not
think we will get as much as we did last year.
The yield then was 169,331 hogsheads of sugar
and of molasses 12,024,109 gallons.
Rep.-And if the weather remains as we have
it?
Mr. T.-What would come of it I couldn't say.
The cane, if we have a wet September, will be
brought to the mill with a great deal of water,
and consequently there will be a lose of saccha
rine matter. It is a question that takes a very
eld head to solve. Now, as you know the cane is
drawing and forming, and, Iam sorry to say, in
the fields I have seen the red joints are few and
far between, and it required some hunting then
to din' them.
Rep. -As a whole, what would you consider the
true class for this season, Mr. Tertrou?
Mr. r.-Considering all things I would put it,
after deliberation, as below fair.
The next person interviewed was the agent of
BBADIJB JOHNSON, ESQ.,
who was that polite and perfect gentleman, Mr.
P. Oazenave.
Mr. Cazenave reported that Mr. Johnson had
been fertilizing very largely during the last year.
Rep.-Well, Mr. Uazenave, from your observa
tion, what do you think this year's yield will be?
Mr. Oszenave-As you probably know, that de
pends entirely on the weather. September and
October are the cane-ripening months, and the
sugar yield depends on what kind of weather we
have then. If we have a rain now and afterwards
we have a rain during the fall we will have a large
crop. Cane depends entirely on the weather, and
the fall is the most precarious season.
Rep.-Is Mr. Bradish Johnson going to start
his mills earlier this year than usual?
Mr. Caseanave- Ob, yes. On the Whitney and
Carroll places he has given orders that grinding
would start on October 15. These planes are
above the city. On those below the city, in
Plaquemines, as the cane is smaller and late,
grinding will be later.
Rep -What is the report about rattoons down
there ?
Mr. U.-From what I saw I think it will take
almost the whole of the rattoon to plant. The
stubble is very poor, remarkably poor. I have
heard that one acre of stubble will only plant
two. It is indeed very Door.
Rep.-Has not Mr. Johnson used fertilizers
very largely ?
Mr. O.-He has. He has used fertilizers
whenever he thought it would be of benefit, and
much more freely than before the war. This I
think has been ouite general of late. Mr. John
son spent this year over $15,000 in fertilizers, be
sides $2000 or $3000 in cow peas.
Rep.-As a generalaverage what would you call
our growing crop 7?
Mr. C.-From my personal observation, and
from all I can glean, I think the crop of 1877 will
be fine, or what you might call a truly fair
crop. We have had a drouth up the country
during the month of August, and it is very
natural to expect heavy rains in September. If
we have a very wet September much of the sugar,
that would otherwise be made will go through the
chimney, evaporated with the water. Thie, of
course, will lessen the crop. What we want now
is rain, and after it cool weather. That would
help the cane amazingly.
MR. HIENBI TETE,
one of our largest sugar factors, and a gentle.
man who has bad a wide exp rienci in sugar
planting, upon being interviewed, expressed an
unleigned desire to afford us all the information
and assistance within his power. He also ex
pressed h:mself favorably upon our "Cotton In
terview," which he had read.
Referring to the prospects of the next sugar
crop, Mr. Tete said that there was no need of
concealing the fact that the crop was backward,
and that the a:nbble had suffered considerably
from the severe cold of last winter, and yet the
prospects were that the next crop would be what
might be called "fair..
The crop might not come up with that of last
season, which was of about 169,000 hogsheads,
but even though the planters made 15,000 hogs.
heads fewer this year they would be satisfied. It
was true that more cane had been planted this
year than last, but not in a proportion to make
up for the difference in the condition or the cane
at this period as compared with last season.
General rains were needed in July and August to
vive size to the cane a,,d dry weather in Septem
bher to mature it,uknd there had been no water in
the country when it was needed. Of course, the
irrinding reason would begin this year much later
than last.
Are there any sections of the State, we asked,
from which you have either very good or very
bat report ?
None, answered Mr. Tete. The Pporteshow
unoformity in the cIndition et tfhabope through.
not th" f ase.
fa