The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-06-27
GEORGIA.


Ine following rules are prescribed Tor
the hiring and government of colored
laborers of Augusta and vicinity, and
for the treatment of freedmen:
Laborers will be allowed and encour-
aged to make voluntary contracts, either
with their former masters, or other per-
sons wishing to employ them. These
contracts, when submitted to the Gene
raj Superintendent of Freedmen, will
be examined by him, and if found to be
fair and equitable, will be approved by
him. But, owing to the extent of coun-
try over which his jurisdiction now ex.
tends, and the great Importance to the
people of making good crop the pres
ent season. it will not, at present. be
considered necessary by the General Su-
perintendent that contracts to be bind
ING shall be submitted to him; but If
equitable, and based upon the schedule
of prices hereafter mentioned will be
considered binding.
If the freedmen desire to remain on
the plantations of their former masters,
and he also desires that they should re-
main. and the workers consent to sup
port the nOn-workers, the employer
shall give to all wholesome food, COM
Portable clothing, quarters, fuel and
medical attendance, and divide among
the workers, pro rata, what may be due
them, if anything, after deducting the
expense of supporting the freedmen on
the plantation. The Government is not
at present prepared therefore, until fur
Their orders no person will be allowed to
turn away the infirm and helpless, to
become burden upon the public; they
must be clothed and properly cared for
when sick, deducting the actual expense
from the wages of the able-bodied hands.
Should it be proven that any have been
so turned away an assessment will be
made upon the persons on whose
premises they were living when this or
der was issued, for their support, and he
will be held guilty of a misdemeanor.
In cases, when it is absolutely neces-
sary to make exceptions to this rule,
permission must be obtained from this
Office The following rates are fixed as
the rate of compensation to be given la
bOrers:
FIELD HANDs--Male hands, S. per
half hands SO so per month; fe-
male hands, So per month; half hands,
$3 per month.
HOUSE NTs.--Male servants,
first class, $40 permOnth; male servants,
second class, So per month; male SER
wants, third class, So per month; female
servants, first class, SS per month; fe-
male servants, second class, $6permonth;
emale servants, third class, So per
month.
These classes will be determined by
merit and on agreement between the
Employer and employee. Mechanics and
persons having trades will be allowed
md encouraged to make their own con-
racts.
The money wages for field hands will
,e paid on the lst day of OctObrr and
.4th day of December; for house servants
It the end of each month; for mechan-
cs, persons following trades and labor
RS who work by the day, as often as is
greed npon between the parties. All
contracts for field hands, will be for the
balance of the year. For field hands,
house servants, and all laborers except
ng mechanics and persons following
trades, there must be secured to the la
borer, in addition to the pay, just treat
ment, wholesome food, quarters, fuel
and medical attendance. The freedmen
are reminded that their fire 9dom imposes
upon them burdens and duties. They
must labor and support themselves,
their wives and children; and, if they
desire to become the owners of land they
must buy them, as other freedmen are
required to do. They must fulfill all
equitable contracts; and If any contract
is broken by them, without just cause,
theJ Will lose all thatmay be due them.
They are free in all parts of the State
of Georgia and South Carolina, andtheir
rights as free men will be protected by
the whole military force of the United
States Government, if necessary. Every
act of injustice or cruelty done them will
sooner or later be investigated, and the
wrong doer punished. Idleness and va
grancy will not be tolerated ; and the
will support none, able and
yet unwillingtO work.
Wages for time lost on account of sick
ness, unless protected, will not be deduc-
ted from the field hands or house SER
wants nor for any time lost from any
faults of the employer, or OH account of
inclement weather. But both the wages
and rations will be deducted, when the
sickness is feigned for the purpose of
dleness or refusal to work, when able to
do so, the offender may be discharged by
the employer. Wheneverany freedman
Is discharged by the employer or his
agent, and thinks himself wronged, or
whenever they are maltreated, or de-
prived of any right due freedmen, they
should report the case at this office, and
the complaint will be properly attend
ed to.
But, if the freedmen, so discharged,
refuse to leave, or prowls about the
premises to the injury of any person: or
in case any freedman commits any Of
Tense for which he should be punished,
or is considered dangerous person, he
may be arrested by cOmpetent authority
and brought to trial before the Provost
Marshal. Whenever a military force
cannot be obtained, a request may be
made at this Office, where it will receive
prompt attention.
House servants are informed that they
will be expected to remain one-half of
each Sabbath with their employers, and
field hands, that they are expected TO
work each day i'm the week except the
Sabbath.
Complaints have been made at this
Office, that certain parties refuse to al
low wives to leave their premises with
their husbands, or parents to take charge
of their children. Such persons are
notified that freedmen in this regard,
have the same rights that white citizens
have, and if they interfere with these
rights, they are guilty of a grave Offense,
which will subject them to severe pun
ishment.
These regulations are subject to the
approyal of Brevet Major-General r.
Saxton, Commissioner of Freedmen for