The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-04-10
NEGRO LABOR IN THE SOUTH.
How the CoIored Workingmau Tolls,
Lives, Loves and Is Happy.

Lives, Loves and Is Happy.
| Now, look at tho south with its negro
labor. Except in Texas there are no strikes
here. nor are there likely 10 ba When you
study the negro and see how cheaply no can
| live, you can understand why. With one
days work lie can get who'e weeks
| rations, viz One pound of COZ meal,
threo pounds OF bacon and quart Of mo
lasses costing in all - cents cash If he
raises sweet potatoes on little patch OF
ground the size of a city lot, tho LUSCIOUS
Georgia yam ma es his menu sumptuols
II he now and then "p ks up no never
steals n chi ,ken, or some eggs no kinley
diner Ell oys his repast half 30 vel, tnl II
to all this ne a Ids a rub COW, costing 3,
his fare is simpy prin ely. II he marries
there are positively no old ma DIS among
he backs, the woman takes in washing,
goes out rubbing etc, and more than
earns her own living, 80 that the pi KAHN
MES can go to the colored hool, II there
is one near them If he does not like to
work by the day, it does not take him long
to earn mu.e and a plow, Then he can
lease land and cult vate thirty acres OF
! otton, paying two bales worth now about
s ca h for ground rent In such use
he gene ally runs in debt for his supplies
while he is making his rop, and lays two
prices for them TO. but when the cotton is
sold, if he has nothing left over, or even
comes out in debt, he doesn't go and shoot
himself Debt is one of the luSuries ct
ci, iii alton He has had the satisfaction of
being i, own master, anyhow.
Some few get ahead in the worli, own
their own farms, and live lie white folks,
but the mas live as have described them
q TO licking, happy go lucky ra e, spening
as they 60 Give them enough to eat, so-
cha Ell ,oyments, a chan Q to sng and shout
at a camp, citing or no down dance,
an they are tie jolIiest p ople imaginable.
But you say nothing OF the cost TO them
Of fuel, shelter and clothing"
No, the genial climate here makes these
things hardly worth mentioning. Outside
the large tiles fuel j. every where, the land
lord furnishes tn, IN board shanty, or
log cain free, and they wear the cas,.of
clothing of their bettels If their raiment
b. comes an intricate thing of shreads and
patches" what do they care' They ara
u,t As happy. There is, you see, nothing
OF the conspigator a.out the negro lahore.
He has no such fierce desire for work as to
wish to XII those who want to do it, He
can Lang over a fence a half a day and 500
others work and even cheer them ON 10y his
okes and outlaws with infinite rel.sl. IL
you smis' him you ont hurt his elings
IN The least He is liaOl to quit work for
you any day, uulei, personally attached to
you, an | SO is even it'll you. AS long ms
he can live by working one-siyth OF his
time he has NJ fear of icing oppressed by
capital
Lett to himself, however, he is aptto be lazy,
Solitary labor TO him is something dreat
flu. hut let him work in a gang give hin
the entaui laSm OF numbels-ani with proper
sup rinte Ddence ana dis Ipline he becomes
the most Efficient borer, in proportion to
his needs, that i, to lie foan eiy.er il Lur-
ope or America Chi ago Jou nal Intr-
view