New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-24
HOW THE CHINESE WORK,
Visit to a Plantation.


On Wednesday, we passed near the Mil
laudon plantation, now owned by Mr.. Mer-
rill, in conjunction with several other gen
tlemen. We took the occasion to ascertain
how the Chinese laborers, who, few weeks
ago, came down the river, and are now at
work on the plantation, were doing, and
how far their employers were satisfied with
the experiment Of Chinese labor on the
sugar field We were informed by the
manager, Mr.. Kingsly, that the enterprise
is undoubtedly q success, unless some dis
turbing element arises, which can not at
present be foreseen. The Chinese plow in
good style, equally as well as trained
colored plowmen. They are as yet a little
slow with the hoe, but are constantly i'm
proving; and they work with steady
labor.
1t has been mentioned before in this paper
that the Chinese appear unwilling to engage
as laborers on plantations or farms, unless
in large numbers. This may easily be ac-
counted for by obvious reasons. In addi-
ton to this, it seems that in their work, thew
pay little attention to any directions given.
unless such directions come through the
medium of their head man. This is the case
with the Chinese on the Millaudon pIanta-
ton. They attend implicitly to any direc-
ton given by their chief, however This
chief, so far as we can ascertain, appears to
be a man of superior cast or rank, and as
such commands the respect of his more pie
bian followers. He wears species of
bracelet ON his arm, which seems to be the
emblem of authority; and be is probably of
the Chinese aristocracy of learning. At
any rate, as long as things are satisfactorily
arranged with the leading man, there ap-
pears to be no fear of trouble with the sub
ordinates.
John ChiEaman seems to entertain a yeFy
lively sense Of his own interest in any bar
gain he makes; and the man of the Flowery
Kingdom is not whit behind the descend
ants of Canaan's conquerors in business
shrewdness. He has keen relish, too, for
getting hold of the right end of the aspara-
gus-for having the best of a bargain. This
was shown by some keen manuvering to az
range the system OF labor for five days and
half each week, while getting paid for six
days. He is open to reason, however, and
acknowledging with bewitching candor that
he would not like to work six DAYS and get
paid for five and half, he was brought by
Yankee astuteness to acknowledge, also,
that the rule ought to work both ways; so
John was finally contented to obtain re-
enumeration to the extent of his labor, and
no more.
We had some opportunity to learn what
the colored man thinks of his new competi-
tor, and how far they are likely to
harmonic together. One man said that the
plentifulness of Chinese labor would have
the effect of stirring up some of the lazy
folks, and make them open their eyes, when
they found that labor was so plentiful;
that they could no longer loaf until the
meal barrel was empty and the last fat side
gone and then 90 to work for some one who
was glad to get them.
Another said no decent colored man
need trouble himself about John Chinaman,
''cause You see, boss, dat any man Is got
head ON his shoulders, ans willin' to use ee
arms an leg, kin allus git wuck in dis
country, Gaze dare allus plenty to do" One
old auntie, who looked as if born in the year
one, said the Chinese "vey good people.
don't do muffin to nobody; mind der own
bisness,'
Generally, there was no feeling of jealousy
among the colored folks in the neigh
Dorhood of the Chinese, and the prospect
seems to promise success.