The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-11-17

The subject of free labor and fair COM
pensation therefor is one at present excit-
inc the attention Of the lapdholders and
6fSers engaged in agricultural pnrsuits in
Maryland. On the 9Th instant, . nnmber
b tis farners, in Prince Georges county,
lid pabiie meeting Ct Marlboro, on the
sabiect. Hon. Samuel b. Berry Was called
70 the chair, and Adolphus II. Lambert,
Esa., vas appointed secretary. The follow
ina resolutions were then unanimously
[ -1 Rssslo.d, That il is the duty Of the DID,
Gems of Prince Georges county to take into
their most serious consideration the pres-
ent condition of the negro population, de
clsred free by the recent proclamation ct
Gov. Bradford, and it is the duty of every
good citizen to conform to the following re-
solves, 10 the best means to insure the we'll
| being of the citizens of the county, a. also
that of the negroes.
Resolved That We hereby agree that we
will not employ any negro for ordinary field
service, except by the year, and We earn
estly recommend to the citizens Of the
county to adopt this mode of employment
of their service for agricultural purposes.
+ Resolced, That we will not offer any in
ducement to any negro to leave bis or ner
present employer, with view OF procuring
bis or her services; and we recommend TINS
course to all good citizens Of the country.
Resotped, That it being the desire OF tins
meeting to do ample justice to this unior'
tunate people, we recommend to the tar
mers and others of the country needing this
species of labor, the following scale OF wa
ges: Firstsclass negro men, wages not to
exceed $40 per snnum, and board; nrst-
class negro women, without children, Wa,
ges not to exceed $50 per annum, and
board; boys, under eighteen years, wages
not to exceed 500 per annum and board.
Resolved, That the subject Of these re-
solutions be recommended to the conside
ration and sdoption of the people OF this
county, and that their concurrence in said
resolutions be expressed at meetings to be
held in the several election districts, at the
usual places of holding elections, or such
other places as may be determined on by
the people in said districts, on the 18th day
of November.
The farmers OF Charles county have called
q mass meeting at Port Tobacco, to NOR
row, to take the same subject into conside
ration. Referring to the proposed meeting
the Port Tobacco Times remarks:
Since slavery has been suddenly abolish
ed in our midst, effecting complete change
In the relation Of the laboring classes to
their former masters, and casting loose upon
the community class of persons who must
subsist by labor or by stealing, it must be
apparent to every one who has the welfare
of the community at heart, that general
understanding and agreement IL absolutely
necessary among all engaged in agricultural
pursuits as to the compensation that should
be given, and the term of service required
of free negro laborers. This class Of labor
ers has heretofore afforded but Q poor de-
pendence, owing to their unwillingness to
engage to do service for longer periods than
day, q week, or month at time. From
the nature of our productions, short peri
DDS of service will not be found to answer
at ell, and this matter should be prominent
ly brought before the meeting. Believing
that if a firm stand be taken at once by
our people, mutual benefit will result to
them and the negro lsborers, We can but
express the hope that the meeting will be
generally attended by the people OF the
county, and that they will give to the sub
iect that consideration which its import
ance demands