The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-10-13
For the Phwnix.

MEssRs. EDITORS: | see, il YOUR valuable
paper, ali occasional article the impor-
tant subject of the wants of the varied
labor for the South. 1t is worthy of deep
consideration, and offers many reasons for
divers opinions. Our former organization
of labor for the field is DESTROYED through
general and sudden emancipation; hence,
the business of agriculture, III cotton.
sugar and rice regions, is III Il state of CON
fusion. We have now no regularly defined
system, and the consequences, to uN
classes, are likely to be disastrous before
the case grows better.
The immediate introduction of white
labor is advocated by some, and efforts
will be made to Introduce foreign laborers,
under the impression that our freedman
labor will never answer to promote South
ern prosperity. | Very much fear that
trial of foreign 1rlHe tabor uor will be u
failure i'll reference to our peculiar agricul-
ture. When employed III manufactures
and trades &c results may be different
The climate ana productions of our ''sunnv
South So different from those to
which they are accustomed, that they will
be slow in engaging as hired laborcrs in
this section. They are not accustomed to
will dread the process of adaptation and
| acclmation. Besides, the anarchy and
lawlessness of society yet existing will opc-
rate as q barrier to any considerable num-
bcr of reliable laborers coming among ~
permanently, at this juncturc OF time and
circumstances. II [ am at all correct III
my impressions, it must bc evident that
0iS sonu'ce of labor will not answer the
purposes of the Southern aSriculturist at
this time.
We must still look to the freed folks and
whites among Us for supplies to cultivate
the soil. The number OF negroes Will ad-
mt OF n reduction in the much worn por-
tons OF our State, and the Indications are
that umder the influences being bronght to
| bear on them to cmlgratc, the diminution
will likely be more than desirable. Those
that manifest any Willingness to work
should be encouraged 10 remain, and Just
rewards offered them to enter INTO our en-
| ploymcnt. Our Svste;u OF labor il so radi-
caily changed, that one of the difficulties
| to bc met with Is to ascertain what 7.Iode
OF remuneration 20 adopt, aud !:O'r ntucll
would DE Il fair compensation. This is
| year OF experiment, and various modes OF
hiring have been used. Some give part of
the crop, and feed the whole or !, part:
others give part OF the crop, and require
| the hirclings to feed themselves: and
/ others pay wages and feed them: aud
others, again, vary il some particulars from
al, these. Zach mode has its difficulties
and objections. Some lessons are being
learned both by the employees and the
employed, and yet there are obscure points
in the case. We should be willing to give
fair and living compensation, if we knew
how to come at it. | suggest, then, that
the cultivators OF the soil in their respect
I've precincts, before engagements are
made for the next year, meet III council,
compare notes, and settle upon some uni
form mode OF employment, and some ave
rage and fair price of compensation. l
would like to see Il few ADLER pens than
mine give US their maturcd views on tnls
vital subject. ]. G. II