The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-03-18
From the Cuthbert Appeal
LABOR CONTRACTS.

rent year. Justice and liberality
should characterize every trans
action.
The fact is patent to every OBJ
server, that the supply Of agri-
cultural labor Is slowly but sure
ly diminishing with each success
sive year. One cause Of this Is, |
that it is non-remuneratiye to the |
freedmen. True, their own idle
ness is chiefly at fault in the prem
ises, but one-sided and unfairly
executed contracts have much
also to do with the disgust which
the negro begins to eyince for
field-work. No apothegn is more
opposite or palpable than the fact
that you must make it to his in
terest to labor diligently, if you
would secure the cooperation Of
the African, and assure your own
success.
TO satisfy and retain the pro
ductive labor of the country,
therefore, should be the grand
aim Of every enlightened patriot.
No uniform system or rate Of
compensation can be devised suit
able to all cases in the execution
Of contracts.
The richness Of the soil, the
number and quality Of the team
and farming implements, the
question Of board and food, the
physical ability of the operative,
all must exert their influence up
on each agreement. 1t may be
doubted, however, whether the
payment Of standing wages is not
injurious and unsatisfactory to all
concerned.
Ninety-nine hundredths Of the
negroes are utterly destitute OF
capital or means, and of necessity
must anticipate their hire for the
supply of current wants. When
to this is added the wastefulness
and improvidence 50 universal
among them, it is not surprising
that i'll q vast multitude Of IN
stances, long before the cxpira-
ton of the year, the wages agreed
upon are all expended. The par
ty contracting for a stipulated
sum is always posted as to the
state Of his finances, and hence
the temptation to abscond before
the completion of his time, if he
has exceeded his wages, or is up
to them, is very great, To say
that the planter should not furn-
ish them with money or supplies
upon account, is simply TO strip
him of all help. The laborer
cannot exist without this assist
ance.
In this instance the proprietor
bargains to allow the freedmen
one-half the crop, nett proceeds
of cotton (no seed.) corn, peas,
rice, fodder, and potatoes, which
shall be harvested, and to furnish
and feed the stock used in their
cultivation, and turn over for
joint use the implements and wa
gons now upon the premises, upon
the following provisions and con-
ditions, to-wit:
LIST. No part of the crop shall
be divided until the close of the
year.
I'd. The laborcrs shall feed and
maintain themselves, pay doctors
bills, etc.
Sd. They shall bear half Of the
expenses Of the plantation, such
as the repairs of wagons, plows,
and other implements, and half
the cost of such additions to the
same, as may be required, the lat
ter to revert solely to the proprie
tor, at the end Of the year.
4th. They shall incur no debt
or obligation based upon the crop.
without the consent of the pro-
prietor.
In the case, however, of con
tracts for a share of the crop, the
pleasant uncertainty of the result
and the stimulant 10 personal ex-
ertion which this plan holds forth
will usually keep the laborers
quiet and contented to the close
of the year.
Instances are rare where the re-
cipents of standing wages ever
receive anything at the termna-
ton Of their engagements, while
the joint crop system the past
year will, at least, afford bread TO
thousands of freedmen in this re.
gion, for another season.
The corn shared out by the
writer to the laborers on his own
farm, if husbanded, would supply
them with food for two years.
5th. They shall furnish feed for
one extra pillow horse, and pay for !