Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-05-15
Thnrsday EvenInE. May rs. So
DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI.
What the Fruit Crop PrOmises-Ths
Rise in Cotton.
The Exodus and Its Causes---lts Present
Aspect and Future Remedies, Etc.
0S BOARD STEAMKR COLORADO, MAR
GREKNvuLEg, MISS, May 10, 1879.

W YAM AMa"AAANH NAAA
GREgSymEg, MISS, May 10, 1873.
EDITOR LEDeER-Business along
the river seems about as usual at this
time of year. Our steamer has put
out a large amount Of freight at land
Jugs this SIDE of Memphis. | notice
that the peach trees are loaded with
healthy looking fruit, which is quite
the reverse north of Memphis. In
fact, / did not see in Indiana, Ken
lucky or Tennessee a single peach tree
in bearing many farmers were cutting
down their trees.
The rise in cotton is gratifying to
the people in this section, especially
to those who were fortunate enough to
hold until now, as it partially compen
safes the loss sustained in sacrificing
the first that was marketed in the fall.
Having made diligent inquiry into
the cause of the exodus, from Mem
phis 10 this point, | am prepared to
give you a few points. AT Helena and
Friar's Point no negroes had left, but
some wanted to go. AT Arkansas City
but few have left.
Below Greenville, in Chicot
county, Arkansas, at Sunny Side
Landing, there are a number of ne
groes who are determined to leave
their present abode. They are
resolute in refusing to make an
other crop at their present homes.
was told Of some at other points
between Greenyille and Vicksburg
who have money to pay their fare and
are determined to leave, but are not
over anxious to go to Kansas. They
imagine any place better than where
they are now, and only 90 to Kansas
for want of abetter place. | was par
ticular in asking their motive in leay-
ing their present homes. / did this
as | think the public should know
the real source of the evil that it may
be corrected by whom it may concern.
Radical papers at the North are
making political capital out of it and
charge the exodus to the Democratic
party. Democratic papers appear to
be ignorant Of the true cause and
charge it to the natural laziness and
rowing disposition Of the negro"
While all these figure more or less in
the matter, they are insignificant,
compared to the true cause, which is
the small stores scattered through
out the country, whose proprietors
secure deeds of trust upon crops be-
fore they are planted-upon all the
mules, wagons, farming implements
aud even the seed, as security for GER
tain advances to be furnished during
the cultivation Of the crop. As the
crop develops, for good or bad, the
supplies are furnished layishly or
sparingly.
Sardines, sweet crackers and whisky
are offered as temptations to the men,
while Yankee notions and gaudy orna-
ments and dress goods capture the
women. When a crop is promising
this mass Of worthless trash is offered
the negro at about 900 per cent. above
cost. | omitted TO state that when a
negro Tor poor white person. buys on
time they agree TO pay ten per
cent. interest on the advances
and must not grumble about paving in
addition fully ten per cent. more for
their purchases than one would have
to pay buying for cash.
All of the conventions on eartl
cannot remove this evil, unless the,
recognize this fact and strike at tn,
scalping little grog-shops and tul
mills that infest landings an,
plantations in the country.
A farmer between Vicksburg an.
Natchez, who follows the plan her
mentioned, and from whom | got til
secret Of his success, who owns seyera
plantations adjoining each other, VIII
told me that there was not a negro o
his place that did not have money
his credit in bank at New Orlean,
and that each family laid in a year
supply Of ~necessaries on the LIST {
every January, for which they pai
cash, and consequently got cheaI
This farmer took each family's ordel
forwarded it, aud what discount woul
be allowed he had divided pro rat;
feeling satisfied with his own share {
the crop. CAMERA.
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