The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1879-05-03
A VICIOUS SYSTEM.

IF the extensive and somewhat varied
discussions relative to the motives ana
causes Of the negro exodus have made
clear the fact that the system on when
the AGRICULTURAL industry of the South,
and particularly of this State, is con-
Quoted. is a vicious one, they have not
been altogether profitless. 'Ihere IS no
doubt that much of the dissatisfaction
among the negroes can be traced, indi-
rectly to this system. They complain
that they work hard and faithfully through
the entire season and, at the end OF
the year, are no better off than they were
at the commencement, and, in fact, are
really in debt. Admitting that this is true,
is it not also true that the planters are IN
the ssme condition? How many OF them
are there who, when their crop is sold,
have any surplus cash, or how many OF
them are there who are financially better
off than they were five years ago! The
number is so insignificant that it would
not be creditable to have it known. Why
is this? The soil is rich and productive
In no section of the country is the value
of the yield per acre so great as it is in
this State. How is it then that the planters
are poor and that the negroes are poor,
and that everybody is dissatisfied and
grumbling? There must be something
radically wrong somewhere. The far
mers of the Northwest, who have not halt
the advantages Of soil and climate, are
rich and prosperous What is the secret
of their success and of our failure? 1t can
be stated in sentence. Their system of
farming is based on cash; orr system of
planting is based on credit. The farmers
there own their own crops; the planters
here do not. Under the cash system, the
farmers secure their labor and everything
they need at the very lowest rates, and
they sell their crops when the market is
at its best. Under the credit system, the
planters pay almost double price for ev-
erything they get, they are forced to sell
their crops at the dictation of their COM
mission merchants. Can any industry,
and particularly agricultural industry, car
ny such a load and prosper? The idea
that the negro is dependent upon the plan
ter, and the planter upon the negro, and
that both share in the crop, is very nice
in theory, but in practice it is sad failure.
The planter, without ready cash to supply
his needs is compelled to pay heavy usu-
ry, and the negro, being in the same pre-
dicament, is charged at the little country
stores two hundred per cent profit for
everything he gets. The money lenders
and country shopkeepers feel justified in
demanding heavy usury and large profits,
because their security is not the best kind
If the crops fail they have to suffer the
loss. They furnish the money and the
supplies, but they take good care to charge
enough for them. There must be change
al L r IL Il
of the State can become prosperous. The
negroes must be paid promptly in cash,
and planters must own their crops The
money which goes into the pockets of the
usurer and the storekeepers must remain
with the planters and the negroes When
this change is effected there will be no
further occasion for dissatisfaction among
the negroes or grumbling among the
r1Ianferc Non, Dr.