The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-11-29
THE LABOR CONVENTION.
Adoption of the Platform.

AS already stated in our special dispatches,
the Labor Convention reasscmbled in Columbia
on Friday.
A member from Orangeburg offered resolu-
tion-which was laid upon the table, after much
discussion-that the following rates OF wages lie
given to laborers for cultivating cotton and corn
First class, s15 second s12; third, 50 per month,
and the laborers shall receive in addition to the
above 3 pounds bacon per week, peck corn, quart
molasses pint SALT for his board; and if working for
share of the crop, they shall receive one-half Of
all the provision crop, and one-thrd Of the cotton
raised upon the farm. The planters to furnish all
the farming utensils and sufficient horse power to
carry on the farm.
The committee appointed to memoriaize the
General Assembly submitted the following:
TO the Honorable The Senate and House OF Repre-
seatatipes OF the state OF South Carolina:
The laborers Of the State Of South Carolina, in
Convention assembled, beg leave to memorialize
your honorable body TO furnish an appropriate
and effectual remedy for some of the grievances
which the agricultural laborer now suffers at the
hands Of the large majority of his employers
We believe that there Is no natural antagonlsm
between the interests Of the planter and those OF
the laborer but the contrary, that fair dealing
and q rigid performance Of duty on the part OF
each, will secure the prosperity OF both.
labOrers are subjected are beyond remedy by
legislative enactments, but must find their re-
dress in the organized efforts OF the laoorers tne-
selves, acting uniedy within the lines OF tne iaw'
with wise regard to the equitable claims OF capi-
tai and the inalienable rights OF labor.
Yet, while your honorable body are restricted
by constitutional limitations from nXing tne rate
OF wages, 1t Is within the scope OF your authority
to insure more fully than at present. their speedy
and certain collection, and also by suitable laws,
to confer upon the laborcr greater power OF
selfprotecti0n than he now possesses.
We, therefore, pray that your honorable Dody
will provide by statute
/. THAT the claim OF the agricultural laborer FOR
wages due shall operate as preferred lien upon
the land that he works, and that the planter or
owner OF said land shall not sell or allenate $Ae
same, until such claim Is satisfied.
Q. That the Governor shall appoint discreet and
proper person in each county who shall be deslg-
mated as commissioner OF contracts Sucn per
sons shall be charged with the duty OF eAanlnilg
and attesting all contracts between the planter
and labOrer, and shall act as advisory counsei VI
the laborer upon all questions that may arise un'
der his contract. He shall make quarterly re-
port to the Bureau OF Agricultural Statsucs, SET
ting forth the number OF labOrers In his county,
how employed end the rate OF wages paid, ana the
names OF planters and laborers who may nave Vlo-
lated their contracts all OF which shall De au pe
fore the General Assembly. at the commencement en-
OF each session thereon, ana snau DC puuilsneu io
general information.
8. That the suits of all classes OF laborers and
employees for wages due them shall have prece.
dence on the caendras OF the courts, over an al
term Of the court after the declaration OF the
plaintiff In the same shall have been filed.
4. That the Governor shall be authorized 10 ap.
point, in each county, an officer whose duty II
shall be to make up the list OF jurors, and super
intend the drawing OF the same In order that tne
labOring classes may have q lalr repre-
sentati0n on the juries, privilege Wnich
is practically denied them in the rural us
I'M nj
g. That when lands are sold under execution
the sheriff shall divide them as nearly as practical
BILE into tracts not exceeding fifty acres each, IN
order that the small capitalists may be enable 10
purchase.
We believe that this measure will greatly facili-
tate the acquisition OF land by the landless, and
that 1t can be rendered legally prac,lcaDle oy pro,
viding that the decree or sale, in each case snaiI
declare that only so much OF the debtors land or
the subdivisions thereof, shall be sold as may De
necessary to satisfy the judgment.
G. That ali due bills given by planters 10 Ia
borers shall specify In terms the special considera
tlon for which the same shall have been given,
and shall be transferable, at the option OF the
holder, and shall operate as a lien upon the crop
and land whenever such due Dill is given, IN lieu
OF payment for agricultural labor
T. That nine hours shall be lawful days Work
for all mechanics and laborers engaged IN manu-
factures or In any business requiring skilled labor
g. Abolish all taxes on sales OF cotton and rice,
by either State or municipal authorities.
Your memoralists are satisfied that the enact
ment Of the laws herein prayed for win he Of vast
benefit to the agricultural laborers. ana VIII
greatly tend to advance the industrial recon-
struction OF the entire State.
And your memoralists Will ever pray, &c.
BY order OF the convention.
f.J. MACKEY, l.
J. II. RAINBY, lcomm,,tee nm Memorial,
w. B. NASH, 'Noo W
B. G. YOCuH,
Unanimously adopted By the State Labor Con-
vention, at Columbia, s. c., this 2eth day OF No.
vember, 4. d. 1869.