The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-05-30

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How to Improve Negro Labor.
The most difficult problem of solution, and
npon which the future prosperity OF the South,
in large measure, depends, is the best method
of managing negro labor. This problem Is
greatly complicated by the fact of an abnor-
NAL, or unusual relation having existed hereto
fore between the negroes who labor on the
farm and the persons who employ them. 1t is
difficult for the people of the South to realize
the fact that the negro is free man, entitled
{. tosall the privileges of native-born citizens,
subject to the same laws and claiming the
same rights. The negroes, on the other hand,
have been instructed to believe that the white
people of the South would deprive them Of
their freedom, and remand ther1 back into
slavery if they only had the power. These
two ideas, acting in antagonism, have served
to repel the two races from each other, and,
like magnet distributing their forces in op-
posite directions. With few exceptions there
= has been but little sympathy and but little
results from mutual dependence upon each
other. This in the impoverished condition OF
the South, is greatly to be deplored. She
needs the hearty concurrence of every force
moral, intellectual and physical-to regain her
lost ascendancy, and to place her on the high
road to wealth and prosperity.
We propose to submit a few suggestions
founded on experience, by which both races
may be benefited.
1. As the white race has more intelligence
and more experience with the world, the be-
:. ginning of reform should commence with it,
and the first step is to make the negro more
permanent in his home. wandering laborer,
with no ties to bind him to any locality, is de-
Z. prived of those incentives which make enter
prising and industrious citizens. They should
be furnished with comfortable houses, in which
they may board themselves, have their own
gardens, their own mich cows q beehive or
two, and such comforts as laboring man feels
that he ought to have. They will then know
that they reap the full measures of their labor,
and that superior skill and industry will be
rewarded by increased enjoyments and COM
forts. "a
9. AS the introduction of machinery into
the operations of the farm is becoming more
general each year, so large degree of intelli-
gence is constantly demanded. The senseless
exercise Of muscle cannot compete with the
precision and intelligent action of machinery.
Each succeeding year will show diminished
demand for ignorant labor, and increased in
auiry for skilled labor The highest interest
of the South, then, demands recognition Of
this fact, and the adoption of some measures
by which the laborer may be instructed in the
higher requirements of the farm, for all the
experience of this country goes to prove thatit
rs more economical to employ intelligent labor
to direct machinery than to employ ignorant
labor and dispense with machinery The pro-
duction of cotton, since the invention of the
cotton gin; the increased production of wheat
since the invention of the reaper, are cases IN
point; and so far from machinery reducing
the average price of labor, the producing power
of days labor is greater than it ever has
been :. employment is more constant; sales OF
agricultural products more certain, and grad
ual elevation of the laborer in the scale of
dignity and intelligence more decided.
5. No labor can be made permanently proh-
table that is not contented. Whatever then is
done to make it contented and happy rebounds
as much to the interest of the employer as to
the laborer. For this reason we think every
house erected on his farm, so tina. the children
may be instructed in the elements of "learn-
ing, virtue and science" Apart from the hap
piness which it gives the parents, it fits the
children for more intelligent labor demanded
by the advance of a true civilization. The
largest profit ever paid by any cotton factory
IN the South, was by one in Georgia, where the
stockholders not only furnish complete homes
FOR their employees, but keep q, teacher con-
stantly employed for the instruction of their
children. The operatives consider it rare
privilege to be employed, and the owners of
the factory have never been troubled with
"strikes" or scarcity Of labor. Some regard
ought also to be had to their enjoyments
Every class Of people have their special pleas
urei. The Germans, for example, have their
beer gardens; the Irish their "wskes; )" the
French their soirees the Spaniards their fan
dangos. IF the negro shows prediction for
"big meetings, loud prayer and doleful songs"
Il must be set down as one of his peculiar"
pleasures, to which he has right by nature,
and desire by instinct Let him enjoy them /;
nay, let him be assisted in enjoying them, if it
will make him a more effective, reliable and
honest laborer.
4. The confidence of the negro must be Sc:
cured, and he must be made morally certain
shat he will get the full value of all his labor,
and that he has right to spend it in any man
ner that he pleases. He may need advice, but
advice should not be forced upon him. When
he is fully convinced that his employer is look
ing to his interest, he will not be tardy in
seeking and following lis advice. laborer
value. The habit of having a fixed rate for
grown men, and so much for boys of equal age,
IS dlscouraging to those who wish to excel by
the quality and quantity of their work. 1t re-
tards progress in the right direction. 1t
stretches all upon a Procrustean bed, cuts
down good qualities and elevatcs bad ones to
the same level.
5. The most liberal rates should be paid for
good labor. The best interests of the farmer
III Al H. aIt
secure as many labofers as he may wish on his
farm and be able to secure the best Knowing
that they are receiving the highest wages they
are not so easy to take ofcnse and "quit," but
are willing, in pushing times, to move forward
with alacrity and IL will which the poorly paid