The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-08-27

else. The pictures we see of blowing as it
was done in the days of the patriarchs-
with one OK and one stake fitted to kind
of handle, with one man to hold the handle
and one big boy to spear the ox-is cor
rect representation of the blowing one daily
sees in Cuba. Though the land is only
tickled with stick, it still laughs with an
abundant harvest.
As the resources of the island are being
developed, the question of labor is becom-
ing more serious. The increase of the ne
groes is not adequate, and the coolie impor-
tation does not supply the constantly in
creasng demand. Freshly landed Chinese
can be obtained, through the importing
agency, for about $3.50 each. You then
make contract before the proper govern
ment official with each Chinaman to furnish
him comfortable lodging, blanket, an
overcoat, and two full suits of clothing a
year medical attendance ; twelve ounces
jerked beef, and one pound of rice or vege-
tables per day one day in the week for
rest, except during sugar making, and four
dollars per month in gold, payable monthly.
The contract lasts for eight years at it's
expiration, they enter into new engage
ments, or leave, as they see fit.
"The authorities in each district have
the general supervision of all the estates in
the district, and no Chinese or negro can
be lawfully prevented from going to the
Captain of the Partido with complaints Of
ill-treatment, insufiiciency of food, or being
overworked.
"The Chinese, when once acclimated and
accustomed to the routine, are docile and
industrious but at first much care has to
be taken of them. They cannot bear the
same amount of exposure that an African
can, but they are intelligent and ingenious,
and within doors, in the sugar factory, in
the carpenter-shop, in the cooper-shop, in
driving teams, they are superior to the ne
gro. They are orderly, they are clearly,
they are, in a word, bidaJle, and the poorest,
lowest coolie can read his own contract in
the Chinese language, and this he always
carries about his person, and never hesitates
to be reminded that the planter also has his
rights, and it generally happens that each
new lot arriving on a plantation has to be
Interviewed by the Captain of the Pardito
two Or three times, and in some instances
have their pig tails cut off to reduce them
to proper regard for the discipline of
well-managed estate.
"After the first season, they become &C
climated and accustomed to their duties,
and when their contract expires, their expe-
rience renders them very valuable, and they
can readily command high wages on the
plantation. But few choose planting as an
occupation {; they generally flock to the cit
les and villages, and become wonderful ped
dlers. They are largely employed as brake
men on the railroads, and on any public
work that is not digging in the ground
They make excellent cooks and indoor SER
wants, but, withal, they have marked pro-
pensity to pilfer, to lie, and to gamble that
it seems impossible to overcome.
every few Chinese return to their native
lay their bones in a foreign land with the
blessed belief that they will wake up in
China. THEY'VE among themselves, rarely
associating with either the whites or the
negroes, rarely intermarrying with either.
On plantations, they work in gangs Of their
own race, under the direction of Chinese
their food is cooked and served to them
three times a day by one Of their own
number; the food of the negroes, prepared
by negro, is served at the same time
They occupy different buildings, but are
subject to the same rules and regulations,
in regard to hours of labor and hours of
rest, as the negroes. On a well-managed
estate, where they feel that the owner takes
personal interest in their well-being, they
are contented and obedient, and for large
proportion Of plantation labor are superior,
by reason Of their intelligence, to the negro,
though not physically SO we'll adapted to
the climate of the 'ever-faithful isle"
Hearth and Home.