The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-11-23
Proposition for e Convention OF Plan

t0ES.
ga Beaufort District Planter" sends the
following communication to the Charleston
Ne,cs: = III
MEssRs. EDITORS: take the liberty of
sending you communication, which I
think of vast Importance to the landhold-
ers in this State and to the negroes. If
you agreo with me, will be glad if you
VIII give 1t insertion IN your paper.
subject, it strikes me there should be some
concert OF action among the landholders
and planters, particularly those residing
on the islands and sea-coast, as regards
the system to be adopted for carrying on
agriculture to the greatest advantage to
all parties concerned.
Being, under the recent act of emanci-
patton, the owner Of quite large number
OF negroes, most OF whom have remained
with me, have had many opportunities Of
observing the effect Of freedom upon them.
and the expectations resulting therefrom.
Many are still possessed with the idea that
lands will be given them, and nearly all are
determined not to hire themselves to white
persons as laborcrs. The reason Of this is
obvious, being desire to rid themselves
of all restraint.
Under these circumstances. it strike. me
as important that there should be some
agreement among landholders to adopt
SA.O piesh 80 SeuCEal course OF
action: The landholders and planters viii
be obliged to decide upon one Of three
things: LIST. To hire them lands to be left
entirely to their own management; I'd.
70 plant with them on shares; or. Sd. To
hire them merely as laborers, by the
month, season, or year. Much can be
said for and against all Of these plans,
which can be discussed upon some future
occasion. My object, now, is simply to
mako statement Of what is before ms and
suggest plan by which decision may be
arrived at.
would propose that steps be taken, i'm
medlately, for the assembling OF all plan
tors and Iandholders in every neighbor-
hood in all parts OF the State. There
discussion could bc had as regards what
plan would be best, each one being able to
give his own experience. These small
cilques could form themselves into socie-
fles or clubs, appointing officers, &c. This
l would think advisable, though, perhaps,
not necessary. Let them, then, appoint
one or more Of their party to meet in a
District Convention. The District Conven-
ton could then discuss and enter further
into tho matter, and appoint delegates to
meet IN State Convention, to be held in
Columbia, or some other convenient point.
ms, 1t seems to me, would give an op-
portunlty for most thorough discussion
OF our dihiculties, and by mon, too, best
calculated to see and obviate them; would
insure the adoption Of the most useful and
beneficial plan, and be productive OF the
most happy results.
In fact, Messrs. Editors, unless some
thing Of this kind is done, and some fixed
plan be settled upon, it seems to mo a vast
amount OF labor and time will be lost by
the negroes, resulting in serious injury, il
not ruin, to next years crop-and for this
reason. that with every offer they will
believe they can do better, and will con-
tinue to waste their time travelling from
place to place, and particularly seeking the
offers Of those parties ,oho require the least
restrictions and discipline. 1 would wish
to say more, but will not impose further
upon your time. / only wish now to SGT
the ball in motion, which I trust will lead
to immediate steps being taken towards
the adjustment Ct = difficulty of such vital
Importance to all parties. Should my sug-
gestion meet with favor, let the planters
say so through your columns, and let US
proceed at once to organize.
A BEAUFORT DISTRICT PLANTER.