Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-06-22
CONDITION OF TIE LANDED sIoRoes.

CONDITION OF THE LANDED NIaRoEs.
A large majority of the freedmen who still
remain on the island arc in destitute circum-
stances. On Wadmalaw aud Edisto islands
many who are oultivatiug land for themselves
would be compelled to abandon their crops
were it not for the provision furnished them
by tho planters. Last season government ra-
tions and clothing were furnished to most Of
the freedmea who were working land on their
own account, with tho agreement that they
their crop for the supplies furn ished. but none
of the outlay thus incurred has been repaid.
We found. on inquiry, that some few Of the
freedmen raioed good crops and could easily
havo reimbursed the government for the sup
plies provided for them, but most of them
we're swind!ed out of all they had made by
gang of white sharpers. who. pretending to be
their friends gained permission to come upon
the islands and set up little stores provided
with sweetmeats, cheap jewelry, aud worthless
articles Of dress with which they pIundered
these poor creatures Of their hard earnings.
TIE same cass Of persons who thus defraudsd
the freedmen last year have made extensive
same means.
TBK UNDERWOOD ofPREssIoNs.
We found a number of these stores on Eds.
to and Wadmala ~ islands, aud will mention
one case, where one Of them is connected with
a plantation. as an example. This store 10 on
u r.
wood, of Boston, Mass. Accompanied by
General Scott, We stopped on this plantation
and Investigated the condition Of the freedmen
thereon. They were working by the task"
which is precisely the manner in which their
former owners worked them. The price per
task is fifty centa which, il paid in money OF
its equivalent. would be fair wages; but in lieu
OF money, tickets were given them. on Which
was printed Good form provisions at our
store" These tickets were taken up by the
shopkeeper, with corn at three dollars per
bushsl, and other articles a. similarly exorbi.
tant prices. There was no meat in this shop.
The freed people gathered around Us while we
were there, and complained bitterly Of their
treatment, stating that with the wages paid
them they were unable to earn enough to buy,
at the prices charged, their necessary subsis-
tence. If these freedmen were paid in money
for their labor they could escape tho extortions
of the shopkeepers; but with the tickets Issued
to them they are compelled to pay the prices
charged, and to take whatever the storekesper
would greatly reduce the price Of provisions,
is prevented lat least on chis plantation) by
military orders. Dir. Tolls on an adjacent
Piantation was selling corn to these people at
two dollars per bushel, aud taking Underwood's
tickets In payment, but he vas compelled 10
desi't by special order.
The Report makes mention of the Eddiog's
plantation. on Edisto Island, which is worked
BY freedmen exclusively under the direction
of superintendent, chosen by themselves, and
where the people arc doing well. with every
prospect Of good crop. This. however. ac-
cordipg to the report Is almost the only in.
stance where freedmen 90 cultivating orc do.
ing even tolsrably we'll.
The defects Of General Saxton's policy are
thus stated:
Our personal observations. the evidence wc
have taken and the inquiries we h-ve been
obliged to make to supply the place of records,
have cow inced us that the condition of the
freedmen of these settlements while in charge
Of General Saxton was such ns to give but lit.
tie hope that under the policy pursued by that
officer they would ever have become self-sup.
porting. even With the fertile lands on which
they were located placed at their disposal free
of rent or taxes The failure of General Sax
ton adm 10 stration resulted from varsity of
causes, among which may bs enumsratsd:-
The unnecessary continuance Of government
support to the freedmen, which tended to in :
crease their natural improvidence and 10 en-.
courage habits of idleness.
Keeping them under such gusrdanship and
tutelage that they were disinclined to make
proper exertions for their own support or i'm.
provement.
Teaching them to distruat all white men but
those who had immediate authority over them
or who came among them with passes from the
Bureau. thus preparing them 10 fall an easy
prey to the shurpers who afterwards obtained
access to them under the guise of friepdship.
took advantage Of their credulity and fraudu
lently appropriated their crops.
Iheir InexPerlence IN providing for their
own support and in managing business for
themselves.
couETEsAcrISo INFLUENCE
1t is not 10 the power Of Generals Tilson ana
Scott, until crop has been raised under their
respective Administrations. to materially inn
prove the condition of the freedmen on the sea
islands. Although these officers have effected
salutary reforms in the habits of the blacks
and in their disposition to labor, and have been
instrumental in removing from their minds
many Of the absurd ideas which had been in
siilled among them. idleuess. diseord and bit.
ter Prejudices against the white people still
exist
ADVICE VERSUS ASSISTANCE.
An impartial comparison of the relative con.
dltion OF the freedmen on the South Carolina
islands and those in Florida and South west
1eorg'a clearly demonstrates that the freed
people who have remained on the plantations,
and have been aided by the advice of sensible
and practical military aud Bureau officers are
lnnnlte'y better off than those Who have been
assisted with ratiops and clothing by the gov
ernment
These evils. we believe, to be radical and in
hsrent In the systsm, aggravated, no doubt, by
incompetent officers, but to be avoided only
by the certain removal of jurisdiction alien
TO our habits end distastefrl to our feeliues.
and which as the badge Of servitude must pro.
duce disaffection on the part of the citizen, at
the same time that it excites antagonism be.
tween the races
SOCIAL AMEsI7iEs.-We take pleasure in re-
publishing from the Winnsboro NeWs, the
following correspondence In relation to the