New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-21
GEN. RANKs,s LABOR-sYsTRM.

criticism of ours. The greater part of his let
ter. however, combats theory which we never
advanced. We did not argue against system,
but against Gen. Banks's system. Nor did We
say anything about his ntentions--good or bad.
What we have to deal with are acts and results,
and tried by that test the system Of Gen. Banks
cannot stand We alleged that it was devised
in behalf Of the planters and not of the negroes,
which Mr.. Elliott seems to consider matter Of
opinion. and contradcts. But it is matter of
fact, and is unhappily capable of demonstration
from the orders issued by Gen. Banks and from
the results which followed their enforcement.
Gen. Banks's record in thisrcspcct is consistent
from the moment of his landing in New Orleans
down to the present. His first thought was for the
planter-fOr his interest and convenience. The
first order on this subject bears date Jan. 20,
1868. 1t directs: "OfScers and soldiers will
not encourage nor assist slaves TO leave their
empoyers"-a delicate euphemism for slave
master Those who leave their employers
will be compelled to support themselves and
families by labor upon the public works" And
this, be it remarked. although the Proclamation
Of Freedom. shortly before issued, invited all
negroes to enter the military service Of the Uni
ted States. Was Gen. Banks's effort to keep
them on the plantations in their interest or that
Of the plantcrsi
BY the samc order Gen. Banks established
his first labor system. 1t provided that his
Committee should confer with the planters,
agree with them on such compensation for the
negro as they should not deem 0nerous, and
that when The Committee and tho planters had
thus agreed how they would dispose OF the
negro, then sail the conditions of continuous
and faithful service, respectful department, cor
rect discipline, and perfect Subordination, shall
be enforced on the part Of the negroes by the
officers Of he Government" Was that system
devised in the interest Of the negrol He was
not consulted. The Government and the
planters were the sole parties to the contract
which was 10 be enforced at his expense. Had
the contract been 10 his advantage, il still was
uniuslly and torcibly imposed upon him. The
essence Of "a contract between treemen is con-
sent, but here was not even the opportunity of
consent. Yet that system remained in force
more than n year. nor was IL essentially altered
By the subsequent order of Feb. 10, lS6t-that
j.. il was not made better for the negro, nor re-
constructed with any more regard for his rights.
Concerning this order, Mr.. Elliott undertakes
to modify our statements in three particulars,
and is wrong in each.
|. He alleges that the rate of wages fixed
by Cen Banks gave TO the laborer 5000 year,
beside house-rent, Sc.-an error 50 astounding
as to destroy the value of Mr.. Elliott's testi-
mouy on all other points. The order of Gen.
Banks, which is before IA, establishes the rate
of wages exactly as follows:
For hsst.cian hands. per month
For secondcss hands. 6por month.
For third cla,s hands. oper month
For foufth-cla.s hands 3per month
That il, tho maximum annual income of a
negro under Gen. Bankss order was and is $50
year. and from that down to $50 year, in
stead of $500.
=. The laborep was not entirely free to
choase his employer" Nominally he was, prac
toally he was not; and the proof Oft is the order
of Gen. Banks enjoiningupon all officers to use all
means short of violence to induce the negroes TO
remain on their old plantations; followed sdbse-
quently by IN order forbidding them TO 60 from
ono plantation to another; and enforced finally
by the threat that those who did not choose to
work on this compassion should be put to labor
for the Government, rithout pay. II is mock
cry to SOY that in such circumstances the
laborcr had any freedom of choice.
3. The appeal to the Proyost-MarshalS
amounted to nothing. Mr.. Elliott thinks they
would lean TO the negro, Tut the testimony is
overwhelming that their bias was on the side
of the planter. Mr.. McKsye, whose report TO
the War Department is in print, quotes wit
ness whom he youchcs for as competent and
upright. who says: 81 am free to declare that
the Provost MarShals have not done justice To
The laborers on the plantations. They do not
see Gen. Bauks's orders carried out. On many
plantations ,ehipping is still permitted" And
We have abundant evidence confirming this state
ment. What hope had the negro in appealing
IN Il United States officer in whose hands he
saw he dreaded lash
1t is not necessary to this demonstration TO
show that the wages paid the negroes were
shnmefully inadequate, but We will dispose of
that point also. IN the first place, the rates are
les than onc-thrd of the wages paid TO hired
slaves when Slavery vas in full operation.
They were less than the negroes could then,
and can now. obtain in open market. il allowed