Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-02
How will Bissell Pay his Hands?
WASHINGTON, April 26, 1877.

WASHINGTON, April 20, 1910
snow WILL BIssELL PAY MS HANDsf'
General Banks was asked to-day what he
thought Of the Presidents policy. Il support
the administration, sir, replied the General, win
that dignity of department which renders his re.
marks so impressive "for regard the President as
but carrying out the restoration of the proper re-
lstons betweens between the State and the hatlon-
al governments commenced by General cfant.
The removal Of the troops from the protection oil
State Legislatures ip South Carolina and LOUIS
lana had became matter of necessity, and Presi-
dent HAYES was forced by circumstances to act as
he has"
"But," asked the interviewer, what will be the
ultimate effect of this policy, General
"Ah sir" replied General Banks, THAT no one
can foresee. For my own part, am waiting TO
see how Bissell will pay his hands. Have you
read my report on the recent elections IN SCUM
Carolina ?"
The interviewer had not. and General Banks
commended il to him. Reading il, he there found
the story about BsseIl-J. Il. his initials, and
he is rice planter on the Combahee river, where
he last year employed 800. lie complained before
the comm ttee that some of these negroes who had
Joined democratic club had been cruelty whipped
by their republican associates who had also intim
dated the whites in that vicinity. lie narrated
his manifold affections very glibly, and the hearers
have regarded him as a much abused South Caro-
lima gentlemen, until General Banks began to
question some of these lntimdating field hands
HOW BIssELL DID PAY HIS HANDS.
1t then gradually appeared that Bissell had not
only refused to pay his hands more than fifty cents
day for cutting rice, but that they had to receive
the small sums coming to them at that rate IN
checks, which read thus:
promise to pay---- or bearer, under
contract, Scents, payable on the first day OF
January, 1880
(SlgnedO j. Il. BIssELL.
These checks were taken in payment for goods
at Bssells house, where the prices were high, but
no one else in the neighborhood would give any
thing for them. At last the men refused to take
these checks, and demanded dollar and fifty
cents day, in cash, during the rice-cuttlng sea-
son. Bissell at once called TO his aid Captain FL
liotts Rife Club, armed with Winchester repeat
ing rifles, to drive his force back into the field, to
work Tor fifty cents q day, payable in store goods,
or in checks, dated 1880. But the colored men
gathered in force, and boekaded the Rifle Club 10
Bsselfs store, where they remained in mortal
dread for twelve hours, until q messenger sent in
hot haste brought Mr.. Robert Smalls, the heroic
slave pilot who carried steam tug away from
Charleston during the war, and who is now a rep
resentative in Congress
in Bissel's house. afraid to come out, but that he
addressed the assembled crowd of negroes, who
permitted the rifle club to disperse unhsrmed.
General Banks moral from this il, after all, the
key TO the situation VIII the southern employers
treat their lsborers as free men as serfs Will
they give them fair wages for an honest days
work. show will Bissel pay his hands Per-
ley, in The .oston Journal.