The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-08-04
COLUMBIA Isl. 6.
wednesday Morning. August 4, 1889
Clasl.eas rxmlniRretion.

W. A0puuAicu 4toka o-N6Ws 1Ofk 1Ou7t
nal Of Commerce. the follnvine. latter O.
the Hon. VIM. M. Lawton, Chairman ol
the Committee OF the Agricultural and
Mechanical Society for !, the State OF
South Casolina. This letter win indi
oate that thes committee have not been
idle In prcaecntipg their inquiries as 10
the feasibility and practical utility of the
Introduction tof Chinese labor into the
Southern States. The assertion Of the
deficiency Of negro labor, its unrelia-
biiity, advanced by che chairman, can
be amply substantiated by the planters
in3the South In fact, the general and
powerful attention which the subject of
foreign labor has excited throughout the
South, is in itself strong oorroboration
Of the position which Mr.. Lawton has
assumed, relative to negro and coolie
labor. The chairman has given a fair
and truthful synopsis Of the causes
which induce this state of affairs, and
his analysis of the entire question indi-
Gates that the conclusions are the fruit
Of careful observation and personal ex-
pesience. Mr.. Lawton is desirous of
enlisting the cooperation of New York
o disposition which we cannot too hearth
~ endorse-in farthering the project of
Chinese immigration, which will surely
WELD most important influence upon
an issue in which mot only the South.
but the entire Union, is deeply inte-
rested. Cotton, If not king, at least in
the commercial relations of our country,
and with the world at large, Yields
sssay almost regal; rice, too, Is almost
paramount in Importance. The success
OF these crops gives an impetus to every
branch Of trade. to the common pros
perityi OF the country; whilst a failure
would be felt in every vein and artery of
manufacture, traffic or business. The
whole Union is profoundly interested in
this matter, and it behooves the North
as well as the South to render every ex-
ertion to provide new and efficient sys-
tenn of labor for the Southern cotton and
rice fields. in place of the present imper-
feet and unreliable one of negro labor.
We have the most undubitable informa-
tion that the committee is in daily re-
ceipt Of inquiries relative to the forming
of company to introduce Chinese labor
into the South; and we have it from q
member of the committee, that two rice
planters have already offered subscrip-
tion of $4,000 for that purpose; and
from the circumstances, there is every
presumption that company for the in
PRODUCTION of Chinese labor can be ra-
pidly and readily formed. It is pro-
ject, induced by such patent necessities,
80 logical in consequence, and so init
mately connected with the development
alike Of our industrial resources, the vi
tality of commerce generally, and the
welfare of the entire Union, that it
should be fostered and aided alike North
and South. By the offered subscrip-
tions of $40, 900, it would appear that
the scheme has secured q money nucleus,
and it is submitted that during the ap-
preaching Agricultural Fair of this State,
If not sooner, that the necessary provi-
sions be made and steps taken for the
organization of such company:
CHARLESTON, s. g., July II, 1869.
Editors Of Me NeO York Journal of Com
1nerce:
GENTLEMEN: 1 take leave to send you
enclosed slip from the Charleston Daily
Ne,0s, in which you will observe the ap-
pointment of committee by the State
Agricultural and Mechanics Executive
Committees to inquire as to the cost and
feasibility of introducing Chinese labor
ers into this State for the cultivation of
cotton and rice more especially. and to
supply an increasing demand for labor
generally at the South. The negro labor
of these cotton States is gradually dying
ont, and becoming year by year less eff
cient and reliable. The causes of the
decentralization. and, it may be assumed,
progressive destruction of that labor,
which was certainly moro successful in
the culture of cotton, rice and sugar I'D
to 1865 than any other species we have
ever heard of, are so manifestly obvious
to practical minds, that it is unnecessary
to say more than that great wrong was
perpetrated on the nation since the war,
by putting evil disposed and misguided
p,op N tho oOpfrDl arl