The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1873-12-31
System Of Labor.
ALEXANDRIA, La, !
Dec. II, 1875

for the guidance Of planters in the en-
ployment of labor for another year,
respectfully submit the following &c
port:
L. They recommend the adoption Of
the rule that il the cultivation Of the
crops and the management of the plan
tation, complete supervision and con-
troll should be retained and exercised by
the planter.
2. That in all contracts it should be
stipulated as a part Of the contract that
the fencing, ditcliing and keeping in
repair Of the tenement aud plantation
houses shall be done by the laborers.
8. When laborers are hired on shares
the following forms OF contract are re-
commended as maximum rates, any
one of which can be adopted:
l. Where one-half Of the crops grown
is given, the planter should furnish
land, teams, forage and plows; the Ia
borer furnishing his rations, personal
expenses, one-llaif seed corn, gearing
for team, and al other implements
needed for the cultivation Of the crops.
2. When onc-half Of the cotton and
one-t!lird Of the corn and ether crops
CROWN is given, the planter should fur
nish Land, team, forage and all planta-
ton implements; the la5o:cr furnish
ing his rations and personal expenses.
3. When one-third Of the crops grown
is given the planter should furnish
land, team, forage and implements.
4. When the land, team, forage and
implements are furnished by the plan
ter, charge Of 100 pounds of lint cot
ton per acre for every acre cultivated,
should be made.
5. When wages are paid, so cents per
day, with rations, or $13 per month oil
&c days work should be giyen-the la
borer receiving pay only for days of
actual work.
When lands are rented it is recon-
mended that the same provision in re-
gard to ditching, fencing and keepingl
iii repair tenement houses should be e0-
acted and rigidly enforced. The toll
lowing contracts Of rental are recon-
any one of which can be
adopted:
l. 4 rental of 60 pounds Of lint cot
ton to be charged for every acre Guilt
waited.
2. A rental for one-thiid of all the
cotton, it being made part Of the con-
tract that at least one-half of the land
shall be planted in cotton, and as much
more rs the laborer pleases.
3. A rental for one-lourth Of all the
crop, including cotton, corn, potatoes,
peas, etc, grown.
4. A rental for one-fourth of the cot
ton and money rent for all other lands
cultivated.
The Committee further recommend
the adoption of the rule, which good
faith requires, that no laborer when
discharged for violation of his contract,
shall be employed by any planter.
In view of the depredations which
are committed and consequent hard.
ships worked by the employment Of
destitute aud irresponsible freedmen-I
she Committee further earnestly advise
hat no planter shall employ q laborer
Under a contract requiring him to fur
rish himself, unless he can give salts
factory proof Of his ability to provide
or himself and family, if he has any.
All of which is respectfully sub
nitted.
z. L. Luckett, T. Seip,
lewis Texada, Sam Dowty,
". il. Sanford, Joseph II. Hynson,
Or Committee.
The foregoing report having been
adopted by the meeting Of planters at
Iamothe's Bridge, December Goth, 1873,
he signatures of planters willing to
larry out and adhere to its provisions
Ire requested.
~~~-~~---.-Gb.-~-
u To morrow closes the existence
# 1878, which to us OF Rapides has
'een any thing but happy an d
year. AS it closes and
orever drops from the calendar of
ime and gives way to the New Year,
ct us hope for the best and not give
way TO dependency and despair,
tut cheer and brighten up for new
,-~1k I'LL, ~