The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1869-12-02
The Labor Convention.

| tn6lE lives lOI uS.
The Labor Convention.
The following is the platform adopt.
cd by the Labor Convention recently
held in Columbia:
The iaborers of the State Of Snnth
Carolina, In Convention assembled, beg
Acave to tnemoriaIiso your honorable
body, to farnish an appropriate and ef-
fectual remedy for some of the griev-
ances which the agricultural laborer now
suffers a. the hands of the large majority
of his employers. We believe that there
is no natural antagonism between the
interests of the planter and those ofthe
laborer; but on the contrary, that fair
dealing and rigid performance of du-
ty on the part Of each will secure the
prosperity Of both We arc aware that
| many of the wrongs to which laborers
are subjected arc beyond the reach of
legislation, but must 6ud their redress
in the organized efforts ofthc laborers
themselves, acting unitedly within the
lines of the law, with wise regard to
tho equitable claims Of capital and in
aiienable rights Of labor. Yet your
honorable body are restricted by con.
stitutional limitations from fixing the
rates of wages, it IS within the scope
Of your authority to insure mere fully
than at present their certain collection;
and also, by suitable laws, to confer
upon the laborcrs greater power OF
scIf-p:otection than he now possess.
cs, &c.
I. That the claim of the agricultural
laborcr, for wages due, shall operate as a
preferred lien upon the land that he
works, and that the planter or owner of
said land that he works, shall not sell
or ALLEVIATE the same, until such claim
is satisfied,
2. That ,hs Eorefhnr shall appolut a
discreet and proper person, in each
County, who shall be designated as
"Commissioner Of Contracts" such per-
sons shall be charged with the duty of
examining and attest;ug all contracts
between the planter and the laborer,
and shall act as advisory counsel Of the
!aborer upon all questions that may arise
under his contract. lie shlll make a
quarterly report to the Bureau of Agri-
cultural Statistic, setting fufth the num-
Der of laborers in his County; how EN-
ploycd; the rate Of wages paid, and the
name of planters and laborers who may
have violated their contracts; all Of
which shall be laid before the General
Assembly, at the commencement of each
session thereof, and shall be published
for general information.
8. That suits, of all classes of laborers
or employees, for wages due them, shall
have precedence on The calendcrs ofthe
courts, over all other civil suits and shall
be heard at the first term of the court,
after the declaration Of the plaintiff in
the same shalt have been filed
4. That the Governor shall be author
ICED to appoint in each County an Off
Ger, whose duty it shall be TO make up
the list of jurors and sdperlntcnJ the
drawing of the same, in order that the
laboring classes may have fair repre-
scntation on the juries--a privilege
which is practically denied them 10 the
rural districts, under the operation of
the present system.
5. That when lands are sold under
execution, THE Sheriff shall divide Chem
as nearly as practicable into tracts not
exceeding fifty acres eaclr, in order that
the small capitalists may be enabled to
purchase. We believe that this meas
urc viii greatly facilitate the acquisi-
tion of the land by the landlcss, and
that it can be rendered legally ptactica-
bic, by providing that tho decree Of
sale in each case shall declare that only
so much Of the debtors land, or the
subdivisions thereof, shall be sold as
may be necessary to satisfy the Judg-
ment.
6: That all due bills given BY plant.
ers to laborers shall specify in terms the
special consideration for which the same
shall have been given, and shall be
transferable at the option of the holder,
and shall operate as lien upon the
crop aud land, whenever such due bilf
is given in lieu of payment for agricul-
turd labor. That nine hours shall be
q lawful days work for all mechanics
and laborers engaged IN manufactures,
or in any business requiring skilled Ia
Dor.
7. Abolish all taxes on sales of cotton
and rice, by either State or municipal
authorities.
Tur HrSorrs Op NrNp HnrNrrpc