Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1865-09-01

depends the question whether or not the South
shall recover from the stunning and terrible blows
its prosperity and production have received during
this four years conflict. If they throw aside
their preiudces aud suspicious, and approach this
important subject with an honest desire to Advance
the true interests OF the country, as well as to
protect the negro, and adopt an enghtcnedpolicy
all will be well. Our fields win again blossom like
the rose, our marts will be crowded with produce
our stcamboas and railroads win gather profitable
returns the negro win be comfortable aud happy
and the white man prosperous and contented.
If on the other hand prejudice and suspicion
obscure the perceptions of these c&icials, and
prompt them TO throw obstacles IN the way of the
realization of the policy we have Indicated untold
and unimagined evils must result.
1t is gratifying to know that we have in charge
of the government authority in this respect, in
this community, an officer who possesses sufficient
capacity to grasp the important points of this vital
question, and who appears to be willing to do all
in his power to establish a system of labor which
shall be mutually advantageous to the employer
and the employee. If he has prejudices against
the late slave holder, he appears willing to sink
them in view of the magnitude of the question
now under his control, and cooperate heartily in
the establishment of labor system which will re-
dound to the interests of the country and be credit
to himself We learn that he has recently had
several interviews for the exchange of opinions
with some of our leading and most intelligent
planters, and that he, acting in conjunction with
them, has devised the plan of which the outlines
are appended to this article 1t is sensible and to
the point. 1t covers the case and will accomplish
all that is desired. 1t is a contract between the
employer and the employee which II will be for
the interests of both parties to respect. II will
enable our planters to raise as large crops in the
future as they used to do in the past. 1t will
afford the negroes certain support lucrative en-
ployment and good homes.
1t is not altogether an untricd experiment An
intelligent planter IN this county adopted similar
system at the beginning of the present year, and
has had no difficulty whatever with his hands, As
a matter of curiosity and for the purpose of putting
on record the incipent steps taken to effect this
great change in system of labor, we incorporate
the contract executed by this gentleman and the
hands under his employ:
"As such thing as hiring all the farm hands
has heretofore been unusual in this State and as it
will be manifesty TO the interest of both the black
man and the white that system of rules and regu
laiiOns be unanimously adopted in order that each
party may know his duty and how to perform it;
because If each one should labor when he or she
pleases, without regard 10 the condition of the
crop it is probable that nothing would be made
and both parties would be losers It is always to the
benefit cOciptv and oil
bers act in concert and harmony and work together
for each Others benefit. By so doing the whole
community is enriched the general tone of society
is elevated, enabled and purified and the better
principles of our nature govern our actions
and direct our conduct. Heretofore, you, the
blacks, have been slaves with responsibilities and
but few cares But now, as far as the whites are
concerned, you assume the duties of freemen, and
it will become you TO begin from this day to study
in what manner you may best serve your own
interests. To your employer, if he is just and kind
to you, be accommodating and obligng, and so
endeavor to discharge your part of the contract aud
to acquit yourself of your duties as to leave nc
cause for dissatisfaction bis part. By thus
doing you will soon win good name and your
wages will be proportionably higher, We will
now proceed to lay down some rules for the guild
ance of the employee, as well as for the employer
and first the contract.
1.-THE pay specified in the rules which arc
omitted
In return for this you will be expected and re-
qured to do the very best work to get up at day
feed everything and be ready to eat your breakfast
which must in all cases be finished as soon as
mime; and when l have company or Sickness q
good deal earlier My rising from the table will be
the signal for you to begin work. All time lost
after this in lettering about the cabins under any
pretext whatever, will be deducted and charged tc
the person so lettering. If your business OF
pleasure takes away the time for which hired you
you must expect to pay for it. cannot hire your
time and then give it to you.
Three quarters of an hour will be allowed fol
dinner in the winter time, and one hour in summer
unless you are blowing, then from one and half
to two hours, the signal for going out being given
by the bell.
AS disobedience is very grave offence and a;
no one can farm successfully unless his hands obey
him readily and cheerfully, so for every order dis
obeyed one dollar will be charged and if the
injury resulting to me be great in consequence of
your refusing to obey orders, you will be charged
with my loss.
As good many rainy days will probably occur
+. during the year, when | will not require you tC
work in the rain, still the time is lost to me so
, sometimes it | should require you to perform
little necessary labor at night such as getting W
fodder which cannot be got up in the day, or un.
: loading wagon, after you have come from the
8 night or securing crop from the Frost OF keeping
up fire under tobacco, and such things as you have
been accustomed TO do you will be expected tC
comply with readiness and with cheerfulness.
shall never require you to do anything at night bu
what from necessity must be done.
All abuse of stock, or willfhl breaking of tools
c or throwing away gear will be charged agains
l. you. 1t is your duty to take good care of what il
placed in your hands.
All hirelings are supposed to have their homes
the place where they are hired | shall not care
however, about your staying here at night, yol
, are always here in time to do your feeding, or &c
q some one to do it for you Stock must be fed OF
Sunday as well as any other day. and any one will
; belheld liable for disobedience who does not do hi
c feeding or get some one in his place.
e If any one wishes to lose day or several days
must have at least three days notice, and if tn
condition of the crop is such to justify it permits
C sion win always be granted, the one going o
S course losing the time For clear good day il