The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-12-08

tracteo from the A0OeCMe Banner, which
you will find to your interest to publish,
as tins subject, of all others, is now upper
mo. in the minds Of your readers. The
whole communication is worthy OF pcrusal.
Please publish. X.
AT HOME, November 25, 1865.
MIR. EDITOR: Never before, in the history
OF our State, has the planting mind of the
country been 80 exercised as at the pre-
sent. Each ncighbor is inquiring of his
still further off neighbor, Chow do you
propose regulating labor on your planta-
ton next year?" This one proposes to in
terest the laborer by giving him a proper
ton Of the crop; that one thinks, as
''money made the mare co." it will be the
only effectual stimulus to the freedmen,
and hence proposes to pay monthly
advocate neither of these plans, but
prefer a mixture Of the two, which sim ply
means to pay in money for the quantity
cotton (4oo pounds,) each bushel of corn,
peas, or small grain, for each gallon Of
syrup, and pound or hundred pounds of
fodder, propose paying so much, the ag-
gregate being divided pro rata amongst
the hands, who will, in the contract, be
rated as full three-quartcrs, or half hands.
tion expenses to be furnished BY the
master, but deductions to be made at the
expense of the laborer, such as loss OF
time from any other cause than that
created by the master, fines imposed and
boarding OF children: Eviction and dis
charges to be within the power Of the
master at all times for disobcdicnce, idle
ness, or impudence.
Stock will be raised by servant not
counted field hand, whose pay will de-
pend upon the number added to the flock
or herd, and the number Of pounds Of
pork butchered. In similar way is poul-
try to be grown. No employee win be
allowed to raise chickens or cultivate q
patch for himself, and by no means to o,cn
a dog.
With these explanatory items, Mr.
Editor, give you below my idea of con-
tract for plantation or farm working
seven hands. Of conrse the same would
answer in form and principle for any num-
ber Of hands:
FORM OF CONTRACT.
This agreement, made and entered into
this the first day of January, 1866, between
John Smith on the one part, and sundry
freedmen on the other part, witnesseth:
That we, Cfreedmen,) whose names are
hereunto attached, do agree and bind our
selves to labor, faithfully, for one year for
the aforesaid John Smith, obeyinc all his
orders, consulting, defending and pro-
noting all the interests of his plantation.
and rendering. it, by our industry, as pro-
AuSSASS, oAo VIC CAS crop rs 1DEHuaQC
as possible. That we will be obedient,
humble, civil and polite to himself, his
family, or agent; and for violation Of either
OF these pledges render ourselves liable to
the punishments, or either of them, men
toned below.
In consideration of the services above
specified, I, John&Smith, do agree to house
comfortably, feed literally, and furnish
medical attendance for the aforesaid freed
men, dod"et'ns, however. from their
wages so cents per day for each day lost
by any one of the laborers from sickness.
or any other cause, except that created by
me.
further agree to board and lodge the
children (non- workers) of the aforesaid
freedmen at monthly expense of So each.
and at the end of the year to pay the field
hands, stock-minder and poultry-woman,
as follows; The tield-hands, for each bale
Ut cotton, (4Oo pounds,) $40; for each bushel
OF corn or peas, 20 cents; for each hun
dred pounds of fodder, 20 cents; for each
gallon of syrup, 10 cents; for harvesting
small grain, S cents per bushel; these
amounts to be aggregated and divided
amongst tho freedmen as rated below,
each full hand receiving one-seventh Of the
whole net amount.
The stock-iiiinder will receive, for each
lamb or calf added to the flock or herd
during the year, 25 cents, and 1 cent per
pound for each and every pound of pork
butchered in the fall OF 1866.
The poultrv-woman will be paid cents
for each head Of poultry grown.
Any or all the freedmen parties to this
contract may be fined sum not exceeding
81 for each offence, for idleness, impu-
dence, disobedience, or for 1ls!treatine
the stock on the plantation, and for repeat
cd offences, may be discharged at my dis
cretion, appeal being granted in case Of
discharge to a Magistrate or the District
JudGe-lOSS of time OccaSOned by the
appeal chargeable to the offender.
All expenses incurred by reason of laws
regulating labor, approval of contracts,
taxes of freedmen loss of time from work
ing roads, and boarding the (non-w -workers)
children, will be deducted from the wages
OF each freedman as he may be severally
liable.
tChia cnnt rn ct 70 can4.n,,4a g.. 1.,.a ..z..