New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-03-21


labor was required for tho reason that no person. whis
or coiored coud otherwise unless possessed OF oo"
petency. obtain an hon st or sufficient support; nor
could farmers engage labor which could DO dependod
upon for season From this order were exempt oyster
men. skilled laborers mechanics. midwives and one'
tenth Of tho total coored population that number beng
able to procure labor by the day.
Many special exceptions were also made where or
ourns.ances justified them. No scale Of wagcs was
established for the reason that the demand for labor
being excess Of the supply good compensation could
be obtained without military interference, also oon'
ceive that although might have the right to require
industry have no right to force any maa to labor Tor
less sum than the highest be could procure
AL complaints made by employers or employees OF
violation of contract were to DO adjudcatsd In ny
Office because tho civil authorities could not while act
ing under statutes yet unrepealed do justice to the freed
men Who since the passage OF those acts had obtained
new rights not contemplated by them. ..
This order could not, ru.o operate to separate
husband from wife, or mother from cairen. for the
reason that, in the large majority Of cases whole families
could 10 employed iossthsf and generayby the owpee
Of tic land upon which they live. .tso.2 ;
The fees required were charged for tho purpose Of a.
tabshing fund for tho support Of the "aged and help
fund thus created over 400 objects of charity enabA
to live in comfort Ths order has accomplished its OBJ
jcct the freedmen arc all furnished With good homes
and paid good wages -.-.e,
-Four thousand six hundred and thirty FIVE men and
women have been furnished VITA homes AID employ
ncnt without cost to the Government and are living
comfortably and industrous.y Their employers treat
them kindly and comply strictly with the rules or ths
contract, have not yet after three months experience
Of the sysem found single Of Improper roatuens
on the part of an employer.
The wages given in addition to good food ara iodg'
ing averages az follows: house servants. per month
e.; farmlaborers (male) SIC; fsrm.ia5orers demseI
IS; woodcutters e2j boys between IL and i6) SO.
The elect upon the well being the community mas
been very great Tho Suspension OF farm'cuitlyason
during tho last thres years has nearly ruined those who
depended upon the yearly produce OF their land for sup
port but tie present promises to once more renew their
former prosperity.
Land is much increased in value. ard tho crops
mora than fourfoll exceed any made sincs tbs out.
break Of tie Rebellion. f
The demand for labor is inexcess Of the supply Ican
fnd good homes for vo hundred additional !aborers al
the wages quoted above.
In carrying on. this system have encountered the
prejudces and abuse Of those who believe the freed
men 70 be worthless and Of the small class found to ba
floating in every military department who have
special mission to inaugurae in practicable theories
promoted by worthy zeal! but not warranted by conf
mon sense. when who found in The freedmen only
an opportunity for tie development Of benevoent
hobbies aud the exercise of curious experiments wha
By making him dependent upon bounty that cannot
last would inevitably reader him helpless in tho
future.
To persons Of this description labor can only sgniJ
bondage and the common industrial restraints mpoSe<
in every civilized community o2pss'ion. They teach
tho freedman that he has acquired great imperishaod
rights but forget to arm him of the practical ooug1
tons and respon sbit Of the Life before him. Tol
many such men have been entrusted with tie labor OF
moldng for future. pregnant with trials AMI vicist
tides a race young in intellect bat old in the evil ha5ih
| Of Slavery.
Ny earnest interest in the great cause ofen,ncipf
ton mus be my excuse for the length of this commune
cation
Trusting that the Msjor.Gencra commanding may
APPROX, nv course in the matter. have the houorN
remain. Colonel. Your very obedient servant.
f. T. WHrR
Hp2Rs DEPARTMENT or VIRGINIA, March 4. 1903.
Col Whites orders and proceedings are approved.
Tier. probably hare been sone cases where the gen.
era rules worked personal hardship bat such casee
few. and special care mas Deen taken W iA'p-0'
tion3 Of officer, OF rank. and BY examining Dota tsa
white and coored people to hunt up such cases ana pro-
vide for them an well satisfied from careful personal
examination that the system adopted Is good one. and
that Lieut. Col White has carried il ont With proper
regard for the interest Of al concerned that uudes
his administration white sat black have learned thai
they are lsboriug in a common for their mutual
benefit. i. .. c.Oko 20.
Mai,r.Gensral Volunteers commanding.