The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-01-11
Important Meeting OF the James River
Farmers #. -

Or the 9th instant meeting of the James
river farmers was held at Turkey Island,
Henrico county, for the purpose of adopting
some fixed rules and regulations for the gov
eminent alike of the farmers themselves and
the freedmen employed by them.
On motion by Mr.. John Seldom, Colonel
Hill Carter, of Shirley was called to the chair,
and Major Charles Pickett appointed Secre-
tary.
After mature deliberation the following reso-
lutions were adopted:
lst. That towards all freedmen in our en-
ploy we will act justly, and that We consider
the following rates of wages fair and liberal,
and Tat we pledge ourselves not to exceed
them:
2nd. A first class field hand shall be paid
by the year $50, a first class field hand shall
be paid by tie month $40: a second class
field hand shall be paid by the year $105.
second class fed hand shall be paid by the
month SIS; a third class field hand shall be
paid by the year $40, a third class field hand
shall b, paid by the month SIS, first class
woman field handy per month So a second
Class woman field HANDY per month So.
Sd The classes are described as follows: First
class field hand, plowman; second class field
hand, good general farm hand; third
class farm hand, boy or old man.
4th. Each hand hired by the year shall
have deducted "per diem," (prp rata) for
sickness, holidays, or absence by leave of the
employer. f.
9th. Each hand hired by the month shall
be subject to the same deductions as those
hired by the year, and in addition, shall be
charged one dollar month for their fuel du-
ring tie months of December, january, Feb
ruary and March.
9th. For dsobedience of orders or insubor-
dination each hand will be charged one dol
lar.
7th. For leaving the farm without permis-
sion one dollar will be charged each hand in
addition to the loss of time.
9Th Each hand will be held responsible for
injury or loss to the stock and farming uten-
sis, if occasioned by negligence, and the
amount deducted from bis wages.
9th. All of the hands will be required to
submit to such rules, aud work in such way,
and at such times, either night or day, as was
formerly customary in this section Of the
country. By this it is not meant that the
farmers are to make regular habit of requir-
ing night work, but that they shall require
such work only as it has been usual to have
zone at nlSnC. -gis
10th. Twenty-six working days shall be
considered as month. m 81
I1th. The usual attendance On mules,
horses and all other stock will be required on
Sundays and holidays. M
18th. Three quarters of an hour will be al
lowed for breakfast, and an hour for dinner,
except during the months of June, July and
August, when an hour will be allowed for
breakfast and an hour and half for dinner.
18th. No hand will be employed who has
been discharged for misconduct or violation OF
contract. .assl 1.ia &
14th. Each hand employed by the month
shall give his employer ten days notice of his
intention to leave, or forfeit one-third of his
months wages. So.
10Th. Each hand hired by the year shall be
paid quarterly, the employer always keeping
the hand one months wages in arrears.
10th. The rations shall be as follows: For
men, three pounds of meat per week for wo-
men and boys, two pounds of meat pei week,
or its equivalent. For men, fifteen pounds OF
meal per week. for women and boys twelve
pounds of meal per per week.
On motion, it was
Resolrs0, That the above resolutions be
published. :, 33 .
After which the meeting adjourned.
HILL CARTER, Chairman.
G. PICKETT, Secretary. ..