Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-30
The Hiring Season.

We believe there are many who concur
with US that our present hiring season is
very expensive institution. and very annoy
iny TO all, whether they have slaves 10 hire
out, or slaves To obtain. The writer OF thu,
has frequently called attention 10 the above
facts, and thus far no result has been oh.
tanned. In this. however. We have not been
disappointed. for we are we'll aware how dt-
fcult the task il TO change the habits or
customs Of people. We believe, and there
fore say, that the public and private Interests
would be promoted by change Al the ter
mination of the hiring year; aud We further
believe that any two or three extensive
owners Ut slaves might and could effect the
change in each county and corporation, in
very few seasons, without causing material
Inconvenience; and il. n We think, II il de-
monstrable that their private interests would
be promoted thereby, Is It not worth while 10
make the attempt AT least. We believe, and
we think every experienced physician will
agree with ", thar the present period Of
hiring costs the shareholders Of Virginia
$4,000 per year al the least, uni we think
this estimate tar too low. Fifty negroes. At
one thousand dollars each, would make up
doubt that much greater number contract
disease, pleurlsy, pneumonia, &c, which
costs their lives, Or renders them compare.
lively valueless, by standing about our streets,
or going 10 and returning from hiring
grounds, and III removing 10 new homes, lett
by others who made no prov 10 secure
them from the weather; add 10 this the ex-
posure Of clothing and bedding 10 dampness,
or perhaps storm, during such removal,
and that fora week they are strolling about,
sometimes al home, but 0ttener elsewhere,
and you have an aggregate 81 exposure suth-
cient to cause loss by death and doctors
bills, more than the amount above stated.
On the other hand In every civilized
community, Christmas is season of .estiyity
it is SO with us--but has draw backs which
we believe may be removed Ask him who
has negroes to hire out how much peace or
pleasure he has al Christmas: ask him who
wants to hire II number Of hands, tor fucto-
ry, farm, or railroad. how much rest or en-
joyment he has till 1t is accomplished ask
the man u limited means, who hires but a
single servant, what pleasure he has enjoyed;
and after he has answered, ask his wife, she
no doubt will give you u decisive answer
But one may ask how can it be reraedled
We answer by changing the termination of
your hiring year, 70, say the first of Octu-
ber Three or four days would be sufficient
for the purpose and those who sowei your
wheat would reap it, and who gathered your
corn would eat it, They would, also, under
your supervision, prepare their homes for the
winter, and the holidays could be given as
at Easter and Whitsuntide, and We verify
believe the interests 81 all would he promot-
ed, and no man injured by such change
In England. where the hiriugs are by the
year. a. in Virginia, Michaelmass, about the
18th Of September, is tie time. and It works
well. Whilst We do not ask You to ape tho
manners Of England, we do ask your TO avail
yourselves Of that which will benefit ALL
PsterSbury Press.