The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-03-24

CMIcAeo. NLareh lslh. ls1

You may be sure that the active efforts
which have been employed here and at
other places for recruiting the producing
force of our State, have not failed TO
awaken lively interest in other circles
besides those directly engaged in the bu-
siness, and TO elicit discussion through the
press.
Gen. Leib, a prominent citizen of Ger
man nativity, who was not undistinguish-
ed in the war, and subsequently, edited n
leading German paper in this city-has
among others, taken deep interest in the
emigration movement. To make person
nj observation Of the inducements 70 set
tie in our State, he has visited it and min
gled considerably with the people. The
result of his investigations has been pub
lished in the form Of a report to the Ger
man Society of Chicago, wherein he ex-
plains the advantages of our soil and eli
mate, and the road to wealth which they
open up to the industrious and enterpri-
sing from other climes. 1t is understood
that he has effected an arrangement with
the Company Of the Vicksburg and MIeri-
dian Railroad, whereby he will secure ex-
tensive tracts of lis lands in the eastern
counties for colonization purposes. They
are to be transferred to him at moderate
prices and on liberal terms. Neverthe-
less both parties will be benefited. The
lands are now lying idle and will probably
remain so for years to come unless some
arrangement of the kind be carried out.
Whereas, if settled by thrifty and indus
trious people the Company would be gain
er even if they should never receive a
cent in discharge Of the contract. Its
profit would be realized in the increase of
the business of the road which would fol-
low the enlargement of the population
along its line.
In his desire to promote his own scheme
(Which is praiseworthy undertaking.
Gen. Leib does injustice to other projects
which have for their object the introduc-
ton of labor into our State. lie is es-
pecially opposed to the hiring of laborers
either for share of the crop or for money,
and imagines that it is calculated to create
a sort of serfdom net wholly unlike the
slavery of former days. Since the plan
is simply the enforcement of the golden
rule that the laborer is worthy of his hire,
the objection is strange enough, but it is
even more remarkable when coupled with
the fact that it is in precise conformity to
the modes Of employment in all the Wes-
tern States and particularly here in Hi
nois. Even the share system TO which he
expresses his especial objection, is fire.
qucntly adopted here. Its fairness so far
rs the laborer is concerned, cannot be
questioned, since it provides for his
compensation proportionately 10 the work
he actually performs. Moreover it is but
another form of paying wages, leaving
the amount to be regulated 10y the skill
and industry of the laborer and by natu-
raj causes. But the writer should have
learned while in Mississippi that planters
almost invariably make their contracts in
this form because it is dictated by the
laborer. The objections to it have been
frequently pointed out in the CLARION.
The planters have seen and felt them: but
they have not been able to rid themselves
Of it. As experienced by them, the OBJ
jections are precisely the reverse Of those
described by Gen. Leib. The planter,
as with every other person conducting
business, should have absolute control of
it. Under this pernicious share system
as practiced in our State, this has not been
the case. The consequence is that cult
walton is uperiicial-fcnces are permitted
TO go to waste-lands are submerged by
the filling up Of ditches-and except in
instances where owners Of farms perform
their own labor, their lands are in worse
condition than at the close of the war
For yet little while the system will have
to be tolerated. But when labor becomes !
plentiful, as it will soon become, it should
be abolished.
In previous letter ] observed that our
people who consult their true interest,
will hold out every reasonable inducement
to settlers. They viii act wisely TO divide
and sub-divide their lands If owned in |
large quantities, and sell them to actual |
settlers mot to speculators) on liberal
terms. A population of producers brings
wealth, and its attendant blessings, and |
above all, a population is wanted whose
and mutually Of interest
will Danish discord and promote recipro-
cal good will. But with the true Mississip-
plan no plan will find favor which looks
to the wholesale disposal Of the lands Of
the present proprietors, who more than
all others, when opportunity is afforded |
them by the introduction Of sufficient Ia |
Tor, are capable Of developing the mar
velous wealth of her soil and restoring |
the Stated to is wonted prosperity.
J..
II