New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-15
TROUBLES OF PLANTERS.

Difficulties Of White Labor.
The Claiborne -iar0cate has this racy
sketch:
Aprofane old North CarOlinian, engaged
in the soap business, and much celebrated
for the free use Of "cuss words when any,
thing went wrong, whose load OF ashes had
sifted out Of crevice in the bottom OF ms
cart. gave as a reason for not swearing that
he could not "do Justice to the subject"
We feel the same want of ability to do
justicc to the subject of this article.
Nothing but the pen of Truthful James
could give adequate expression to the
ways that are dark of the Scandinavian
Emigrant Agency" (which the same" has
it's General Office" at No. 254 South Wells
street, Chicago, Illinois.
In an evil hour some OF our citizens, in
want of labor, got hold Of a circular Of
this agency" and unfortunately trusted to
its representations.
Mr.. w. C. Crutcher, highly respected
gentleman, and an old citizen OF our town
and parish, proceeded to Chicago, in De
cember, with orders for about eighty labor
ers. The circdIar aforesaid induced those
who sent to believe that twenty dollars pei
head would cover the cost OF putting them
down in Trenton.
On his arrival at Chicago, however, ne
learned that it would take thirty-e!ght dol
lars each. On telegraphing this tact, ne
was advised to obtain them at the latter
rate,
He accordingly contracted and paid for
sixty-six They started for Trenton IL
charge of one Linburg.
On reaching Vicksburg, which they did
on Saturday evening, it was ascertained
that the North Louisiana and Texas rail
road had. since Mr.. Crutcher's departure
and without any knowledge on his part
changed its schedule from daily TO tri
weekly trips, and would not leave Delta
until the next Tuesday.
When Tuesday came, Mr.. Linburg, the
agent Of the agency, and twenty-six OF the
Deople, for whom Mr.. Crutcher had adj
in military parlance, neither present MOI
accounted for" and the presumption is that
they returned to Chicago to play the same
game upon the credulity OF some one else
which they had SO successfully practiced OIL
Mr.. Crutcher.
This view of the subject is strongly cor
rObOrated by the fact that, so tar from com
plying with their written contract to refund
thirty-eight dollars per head for all that
failed to reach Trenton, inevitable accidents
alone excepted, that they set up claim tol
damages for the slight detention at Nicks
burg, with the cause Of which Mr. CrutcheI
had nothing to do.
Forty of the labsrers reached here and
got employment, and with two or three cx
ceptions are, we believe, satisfied them
selves, and giving satisfaction. And we
trust they will be kindly treated by those
among whom they have cast their lot, and
be the means Of inducing others to come
We said there were one or two exceptions
to the satisfaction given.
A. Ward got two at his restaurant, both
we believe, of American birth. One OF
them seemed to possess all the leading traits
Of a Chicago wharfrat, and the other
though professional cook, could hardly
tell biscuit from a batter cake, and
waited on the table like he was marching il
slow time to first class funeral. They
both absconded in the night.
Whether this agency IS merely ian i'm
aginary body, reposing on its own centre.
or a thing of substance, we presume Mr.
Crutcher will take legal steps to ascertain
But we apprehend that the concern is {
mere bag of wand, which the point OF "a law
suit would soon puncture. And one strons
reason for believing that this Scampi- naviaI
Agency as it ought to be designated. i
its treatment of Mr.. Crutcher is a fail
sample OF its mode Of doing bushes. is ;
mere catch-penny affair. is that If iii hat
character to lose, it would be more careful
in it's dealings.