The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1869-12-02
The Memorial 0fthe Labor Con.
Venti0n.

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The Memorial ofthe Labor Con.
49,. ventien-
We have perused this memorial with
sentiments of unmitigated SURPRISE
"Morphine" was prominent among the
material of the convention, and exhibit
ed its explosive qualities in the emission
of this document, which we proceed tc
discuss, by clauses.
I. That the claim Of the agricultural
labor for wages due, shah operate as a
preferred lien upon the land worked,
and that the planter or owner shall not
ALLEVIATE said land until such claim be
satisfied"
Suppose that the owner were indebt-
ed to his factor for advances made, and
tbatto secure said advances, a mortgage
of the property was given; that failure
of the crop should occur, would it not,
under this section, be necessary that the
factor should pay al wages due the Ia
borer at the close of the year, in addi-
tion 70 having fed him during the time,
before foreclosing his mortgage?
Suppose, again, that the planter
should be only the tenant or lessee, in
stead of the owner of the land, would
the latter be compelled to satisfy all
outstanding wages before he could sell,
provided he felt SO disposed?
Or suppose that the land should be
sold under execution by the Sheriff?
In that case, it strikes us the laborer's
chance for wages would be a very mi
mute one.
In our opinion, this 6rst clause would
deprive the planter of almost the only
means he possesses, Of obtaining the
means of living and feeding himself and
laborcrs, while the crop was being made,
for it is we'll known that advances are
made upon first class collaterals, and the
fact of laborer's wages being preferred,
would place the lien of the party ad-
vancing among the secondary claims,
and consequently no advances could be
had. And if the planter or owner of
the land cannot obtain advances, by
what means can the employee hope to
obtain them? Upon his own rcsponsi-
bility he cannot, for in all cases good,
collateral, tangible property is preferred
to the unsecured promise of the person
seeking advances. So that the first
clause Of the memorial does away with
the groundwork and foundation of plant
ing operations, as carried on in this
day and generation.
2. "That the Governor shall appoint
discreet and proper person in each
county, who shall be designated as
commissioner of contracts" who shall
examine and attest all contracts between
planter and laborer, and act as advisory
counsel of the laborer under such con.
tracts"
In this clause We perceive the desire
of creating other Offices, thereby adding
to the taxes of the people, as we'll as
being the means of bringing endless
trouble to the planter. The commits
sioncr of contracts would of cours, be
visited by numbers of laborers, daily
seeking counsel, and equally Of course,
such counsel could not be obtained
without some kind of fee. Hence, the
perquisites of the Office would be large.
Il is certain that no Democrat could
obtain such an Office, and therefore, it
is open to the Republican alone. There
is scarcely one in the State, who is ac-
ouainted with the practical details of
planting, and on that account none can
lie found capable of advising in these
matters. Outside Of this important
consideration, where is the Republican
whose mind and feelings are truly un-
BASED in controversies between white
aud colored men, who is equally as
friendly to the one as to the other?
Such an one cannot be found. There
fra, it is, that endless controversies
would be the results of such appoint