Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-03

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Another matter OF which some OF the
bureaus correspondents complain is the
system which prevails with some en-
ployers OF requiring their employees 70
trade at certain stores. IL is uniformly
condemned as causing dissatisfaction ana
trouble. Compulsion in this matter IS
uniust and even il carried on Justly
would create distrust. This system Is
akin TO the ellen bond system. which
is 50 much condemned by the farming
class. and which has been such blight
10 the farming interest wherever prac-
ticed. Special attention is caused to
complaints upon this subject. Workmen
also refer frequently to the need oil care
fully-drawn apprentice laws.
FACTS STATED BY EMPLOYERS.
Chapter second is devoted to returns
from employers. These indicate hope
full spirit and seem to show that the
manufacturing enterprises ore flourish
ING. 1t is certain that manufacturing Is
fast developing, the ratio OF increase be-
ing much greater than the people are
aware. No State has greater advantages
as 10 woods, minerals, farm products, or
water-powers. Cotton, for instance, can
be grown in five eighths of the ninety
six counties, while tobacco can be raised
in all. The State has been too exclu-
siyely agricultural, and very little, com
paratively, has been produced for sale
save farm products. and the sale OF these
has, in certain lines, made the state
poorer instead Of richer. A majority OF
the counties report that no mechanical
or manufacturing enterprises are carried
on in their boundaries, except such as
wagon.shops, blacksmith-shOps, &c. The
counties thus backward are, OF course,
the least wealthy, and the manufacturing
counties are the richest. But few CON
tests between labor and capital in this
State have come to the knowledge Of the
commissioner, and it is his belief that
the EMPLOYERS are for the most part dis
posed to be Just to their employees. lie
urges sympathy and good feeling. The
returns show, as compared with 1884, q
decrease in wages for farm labor, due
mainly TO the decrease N the prices OF
for farm products The farmers make
less, and hence pay less. Wages In the
manufacturing line, on the contrary,
show decided increase.
THE LAND OWNERS VIEWS.
CHAPTER third is devoted TO landlords
returns. The great body of population
are farmers, and that which represents
the farmers represents the great ma
iority of the people. Information II
regard to farm labor and its incidents
has been diligently sought. The farm
ers have never expressed themselves sc
fully. In the returns many suggestions
are made. If they are at all indicative
they show that the landlord farmers are
waking up to new ideas, and therefore
TO new conditions. The COMMISSIONS
believes this to be the case. The farm
ers are thinking more than ever before
of the evils OF farming IN the past an(
of It's possibilities i'll future. A grea
amount of attention, more than is giveI
any other topic, is devoted to the lien
bond system, and properly, for the fact
gathered and shown prove that NOR
EVILS HAVE COME TO THE FARMERS
on account of the mortgage and lien-bont
system than from every other source
1t has proved worse curse thai
droughts, floods, cyclones, storms, rust
caterpillars, and every other evil that at
tends the farmer. Wherever they hav
depended upon this system they are IL
debt. In the cotton belt the merchan
who holds the mortgage insists on cot
ton crop, a money crop, and a LANDLORD
does the same. As result the farmer
in this belt are more heavily mortgage
than in any other section of the State
and are worse off generally. Farm labo
even is better paid in the western coun
ties, where the OdiOus system does no
prevail. There the average price is 1913
per month, with board, while in twent,
of the best counties in the cotton belt
is only IS. 40 and board. In the east
ern counties the per cent paid is a
least 40. The most profitable bushes
in this country cannot pay such pc
cent. as that-much less farming. Th
farmer who pays it must sooner or late
lose all he has. The facts and the figure
alike prove that the system is the ban
of the farmer and its sequence failur
to raise home supplies. The conclusion
of the whole matter is, therefore, tina
there must be an increased production
of home supplies if the farmers inten
TO better their condition and place them
selves beyond the time-price system
There are many complaints of the