Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1880-10-27

oiscs the D~mscrscy have been In power
in Louisiana they have handled very gin
geriy all matters connected with the labor
question. Filled with the desire to con.
eiRate the coiored people as far ~ possible
and anxious N show them that there was
no wish or intention to abridge any OF
their sacred rights under the amendments,
they have failed Ia adopt the necessary
laws to protect those who are dependent
ul~n hired labor. Fearing that they
might go too far they have not gone far
! enough, and the result is to-day that every
man " hose business requires that he should
hire for monthly wages a number Of hands
tind, himself absolutely and entirely at
their mercy. They may quit him at a mo
mcnt when he IL in greatest need Of their
services, and h- has no recourse whatever.
Take the case Of the ST. Charles aud City
Hotels. in New Orleans. IA short time ago.
When these houses we're filled with guests,
" hen the services of every waiter in the
diningro"m were in absolute demand, all
quit, violated their agreement, and under
the pret-nse Of striking for higher wages
left the proprlctors If these hotels entirely
h-lp aud unable to accommodate their
gnest-. True they drew upon other de
partmcnts and managed to get along, but
they should have been NJ protected that it
would not have taken place without the
possibility Of being remuurrated in some
way for the damage done them. In Shrcvc.
port, at Cnmpstons Hotel, We have been
al ry"-u illness to two or three strikes Of
this kind, and We know 10y actual observa-
ton something about the annoyance, the
vexation and pecuniary loss that it causes
Farmers, too, whether planting corn, cot
ton or cane are liable to fall into the same
difficulties. To have hand. quit them ut n
time when without their services the labor.
Of year will amount to nothing will
indeed entail absolute ruin upon them.
II is n bad policy, even if it have the
Attractive name conciliutory, that puts any
class or classes Mt the mercy Of another
II il worse when those " no suffer are the
very backbone Of the government and con.
tribute more than any others to keep il alive
We do not demand anything more than
justice. All We want is that n law should
be passed which would 20 ~ tar as possible
toward making men fulfill their contracts
We are tired and sick Of hraring il said
that we must coucilia,e the rolore,l people.
such Cancellation is outrageous when its
result il To grant absolute and entire
freedom Of action Ia an irresponsible class
of people, when il il IN their power To ~
exercise their freedom ~ to bring ruin
upon others.
In the interest Of farmers, hotel keepers.
contractors, and all those who pay for the
services Of others, who hire a. servants
other men, we demand that law he passed
which will in some degree protect those
classes. We demand that this absolute
freedom of action shall he 10 curtail-d ~
topnt It out Of the power Of All irresponsible
man or set Of men to bring financial ruin
upon another class.
Let those legislators who are sincerely
anN,on- to ,ccre the passage of laws that
VIII secure the greatest good for the great
est number make II their business to in
qnlrc Of their friends and nrighbors aud
learn something of the actual damage that
has resulted from the failure to pass a
proper law. The proprietor, Of the New
Orlran, hotels. Of the hotel ia Shrrvrport.
and of other large towns in the State. til.
farmers, too, would like Ia be- heard and
fi"m all these sources sufficient infurma-
ton can b- gathered to show that in no |
single direction Is legislation ~ necessary. !
We demand that there be no further /
delay in tins matter. In justice to all |
parties there should be enacted a law which |
would secure us far as possible com.
plancr with lahoring contracts Emplo>
en- should no longer he AT the mercy of
employees.
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