Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-06-26
important Labor Regulations In
THE WORKERS TO SUPPORT THE
WORKERS.
Rates ofLabOr, Social Relations,
Etc, Etc.
GEORGIA.
OFFICE GEs'L. SUP'T FREEDMEN, /
Augusta, Ga, June u, 1866.

OFFICE GEs'L. SUP'T. FREEDMEN
Augusta, Ca, June II, 1866. J
The following rules are prescribed for the
hiring and government of coIored lsborers Of Au'
gusta and vicinity and for the treatment Of freed.
men:
LaboTers will be allowed and encouraged to
make voluntary contracts, either with their form.
er masters or other persons wishing 10 employ
them. These contracts when submitted TO the
General Superintendent Of Freedmen. Will be ex-
amiaed by hin, and ii found to be fair and equi
table will be approved by him. But owing 10 the
extent OF country over which his Jurisdiction now
extenns, and the great Importance TO the people
of making a good crop the present season, IL will
not at present be considered necessary by the
Gene al Supe riniendent that contracts 10 be bn.
ing shall be submitted 10 him but II equitable
and based upon the schedule Of prices hereafter
mentioned, will be considered binding.
II the freedmen desire 10 remain ON the planta-
tons of Their former master, and he also dssreS
that they should remain, and the workers con-
sent TO support the non.wor ers the employer
shall give - all wholesome food comfor able
clothing quarters, fuel and medical attendance,
and divide among the workers. pro rata, what
may be due them il anything, after deductng
| the expenses OF supporting the freedmen on the
plantation. The Government Is not at present
prepared 10 support the inhrm or helpless there
lore until .urtner orders no person will be allow
ed 10 turn away the firm or helpless TO become
| a burden upon the public they must be clothed
and properly cared Tor when sick deducting the
actual expense IRON the wages OF the able bodied
hands Should il be proven that any nave been
30 turned away an assessment will he made upon
the person on whose premises they were living
when this order was issued, for their support and
he will lie held guilty of a misdsmeAnor.
In cases when IL is absolutely necessary to
make exceptions 10 this rule, pe'ms ion must be
obtained from this cnice. The following rates
are fixed AZ the rate of compensation to be given
laborers:
FIELD HAEDs.-Msle hands 81 per month ;
half hands. 50 80 per month female hands, s.
per month half hands e. per month.
House SERvAETs.--M servants, first Gloss
$40 per month male servants, second class, s.
per month male servants, third class So per
month female servants, first cltss, 50 pc;
month female servants, second class, Sc per
month female servants, third class, 50 per
month.
These classes will be determined by merit, and
on agreement between the employer and the EN-
ployee Mechanics and persons having trades
viii be allowed and encouraged to make their
own contracts.
The money wages for Il Id hands will be paid
on the lst day of October aud 9th day OF Dec,
for house servants ut the end of elch onlh for
mechanics, persons following trades and iaboreis
who work by the day, es often as is agreed upon
between the parties. All contracts for field
hands, will be Tor the balance OF the year. For
field hands, house servants and all lab0rerJ ex-
cepting mechanics and persons following trades,
there must he secured ~ the lablrer in addition
TO the pay, jus treatment, wholesome food, quar-.
tiers fuel and medical attendance. The freedmen
are reminded that tieir freedom imposes upcn
them burdens and duties They must labor and
sup. ort themselves their wives AMI children
and If they desire to become the owners of lands
they must buy them, as other freedmen arc re-.
quired to do They mus fulfill all equitable
contracts; and il any contract is broken by them,
without just cause, they will loose all that may
be due them.
They are free in all parts of the States of
Georgia and South Carolina, and their rights as
free men will be protected by the whole military
force Of the United States Government, if neCes
slry Every &C. Of IN jus lice or cruelty done them
will sooner or later be investigated, and The wrong
doer severely pun shed. ldleness aud vagrHncy
will not be tolerated and the u vernment VIII
support none able and yet unwilling to work.
Wal es for time lost on account OF sickness un
less protra cted. will not be deducted from the
helC hands or house servants; nor Tor any time
lost from any faults of the employer, or on ac-
count OF Indictment weather. But both the wa
ges and ratOns will be deducted, when the sick.
meas ia eig ned for the purpose OF ideness or re.
fusal to wolk, when able to do 80, the offender
may be discharged by the employer. Whenever
any freedman is discharged by the employer or
his agent and thinks himself wrongsd or when.
ever they are maltrested, or deprived OF any
right due freedmen, they should report the case at
this Office, aid the complaint will be promptly
attended TO.
But, If the freedmen, so discharged refuse TO
leave, or prowls alb ut the premises to the injory
Of any person or in case any freedman commits
any oifense for which he should be punished, or
is considered dangerous person, he may be ar
rested BY competent authority and brought TO
trial efore the Provost Mar hal. Whenever a
military force cannot he Obtain ed. request may
DO made at this Office, whore 1t will receive prompt
O teution.
House servants are informed that they will be
expected TO remain one-hslf Of each Sabbath
with their empio ,ers, and field hands, that they
are expected TO work each day in the week exc pit
the Sabbath.
Complaints have been made at this office, that
certain lrtes refuse 10 allow wives to leave their
premises with their husbands or parents to take
charge of their children. Such persons are noti-
fed that freedmen in this regard, have the same
rights that white citizens have, and II they in
teriere with these rights, they are guilty OF
grave ofTense, which will subject them to severe
punishment.
These regulations are subject to the approval
of Brevet Major General r. SaXton Commissioner
OF Freedmen for South Carolina and Georgia.
j. Il. BRAYAST, Gen'l Supt.