The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-01-16
FREEDMEN'S LABOR FORM OF
.-E- ~ CONTRACT. TA

|
CONTRACT. E@
As q matter of general interest to our aericul.
tural friends, we publish the following form and
terms of agreement, which has very generally
been adopted by the planters of South Carolina
and the freedmen Our North Carolina farmers
will do well to scan the articles of agreement
closely, as they are full and explicit, and may
afford some useful hints:
State of South Carolina, - District
Articles of Agreement
--Freedmen and Women, whose
names are hereunto attached
1st. The said servants agree to hire their time
as laborers on the plantation of---from
January 1st, 1866 to January Ist, 1867; to
conduct themselves faithfully, honestly, civiIly;
and diligently to perform all labor on said plan
tation, or such as may be connected Herewith.
that may be required by the said---or
his agent; and to keep no poultry, dogs or stock
of any kind, except as hereinafter specified; and
without the written consent of the proprietor or
his agent to keep no firearms or deadly weapon,
no ardent Spirits nor introduce or invite visitors
nor leave the premises.
I'd. The said servants agree to perform the
daily tasks hitherto usually allotted on said plan
tation, to wit l25 to $50 rails cutting grain,
3 to 6 acres; ditching and banking, 800 to 600
feet; hoeing cotton, 70 to 500 rows an acre long;
corn, 1000 to 1000 hills
In all cases where tasks cannot be sssigned.
they agree to labor diligently ten hours day.
Sd. For every days labor lost by absence, re-
fusal or neglect to perform the daily task, said
servant shall forfeit ifty (50) cents. If absent
voluntarily or without leave, two (2) dollars O
day; if abseRt more than one day. without leave
20 be subject to dismissal from the plantation
and forfeiture of share in the crop. An such
fines and forfeitures shall inure to the benefit of
the employer and employees, in proportion to
their relative shares. -T.
4th. Said servants agree to take good care of
all utensils, tools and implements committed to
their charge, and to pay for the same if injured
or destroyed; also, to be kind and gentle to all
work animals under their charge, and to pay for
any injury which they may sustain while in
! their hands.
5th. They stipulate to keep their houses, lots
| and persons in neat condition. aud subject to
the inspection of the employer or his agent any
| time.
| 9th. They agree to furnish from their num-
Der nurse for the sick; also, stock mnder and
| foreman, to be selected by the employer. They
agree to be directed in their labor by the fore
man, to obey orders, and that he shall report all
absences, neglects, refusal to work, or disorderly
conduct to the employer. ~ . ....'
7th. The said employer agrees to treat his
hirelings with justice and kindness; to furnish
each family with quarters on his plantation,
with one-fourth of an acre Of land for garden
and the privilege of getting firewood from somo
| portion of the premises, to be indicated by the
employer: and to divide the crop with them in
the following proportions viz 70 the hirelings
one-third Of the corn, potatoes and peas gathered
and prepared for market, and one, third of the
nett proceeds of the ginned cotton, or its market
| value at the end of the year; and when desired,
| to furnish the usual bread aud meat ratons, to
be accounted for st the market price out Of their
share of the crop
9Th Said employer agrees to furnish animals
| and to feed them; also, wagons, CARTS plantation
implements, &c, such as cannot be made by The
laborers on the plantation. ...,.-.-
9th. All violations of the terms of this cou-
tract, or of the rules and regulations Of the en-
ployer, may be punished by dismissal from the
plantation with forfeiture Of his or her share of
the crop or wages, as the case may be; but the
employer shall pay said parties at the rate of
four (S4) dollars month for full hands, deduct
ing therefrom advances made.
10th The employer or his agent shall keep
book in which shall be entered all advances
made by him, and fines aud forfeitures for lost
time or any cause, which book shall be received
as evidence in same manner as merchants books
are now received in Courts OF Justice, aud shall
have right to deduct from share of each laborer
all his or her fines and forfetures, also all ad-
vances made by him. .-
1lth. Laborers shall not sell any agricultural
products to any person whatever without the
written consent of the employer.
18th. The laborers shall commence work at
sunrise, and be allowed from one to three hours
each day for their meals, according TO the season
of the year. ..a1
In cases where parties prefer to contract for
wages in lieu Of part of the crop, il will be
competent for them to do so, in which case tho
Committee suggests scale of prices according
to quality of hands.