The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-25
yEXATTOUS PROBLEMS.
TWO CLAIMS FOR ATTENTION PRE-
SCENTED BY RIVER INTERESTS.
How Roustabouts Make Life Burden to
Steamboat Owners and officers--Capt.
Dan Kinney, an Expert Pilot, Talks
About the Mississippi.

There is an issue between steamboatmen
and their crews that must be settled before
the former can surrender their minds TO
pious inspirations and live out their ex-
istence in such a way as TO hope ior the
reward promised those who hunger ana
thirst after righteousness.
That issue is the binding force OF con.
tracts entered into between the two Tor
service TO be rendered and remuneration
therefor.
In nearly all the decisions on these ques-
tons by courts-and they have been rem
dered hundreds of times-the tendency
was 10 regard the contracts as OF little or
no binding force. In other words, they
are generally regarded as after the style of
baseball contracts, wherein the respect Is
demanded more particularly from the sign
ing players. There is this distinction, how
ever, between the two classes While
managers OF baseball teams feel con-
stuined many times during a season, TO
slip their contract, and release players,
steamboaimen do not; they are more than
willing to carry the original force ms long
as possible good conduct and iaithiul-
ness, OF course, being required OF them.
The evil referred 10 is far-rcaching and
the remedy one vet To be discovered.
Every river town OF any pretentions con-
tributes lis share TO the history. Negroes
board the vessel waiting TO be loaded,
agree TO make the round trip for 80 much,
and Just as the boat is ready 20 pull out
slump" for nm increase OF wages. The
A a afs.u "A.
n Is amusing to an outsider, and would be
10 the boats owners and officers but Tor
It's seriousness They fix upon rate OF
wages generally between 500 and $40 per
Notwithstanding 10 the business oN-
pected. All hands understand II, aud pre-
cautions are taken TO make the roustcrs'
understanding distinct ON the point.
When the last piece Of freight is loaded,
and the last bell has tapped prior 10 de-
pariurc. the deck crew, through spokes-
man, boldly inquiries.
"liow much yer gwinc to pay usl'
AT the rate OF $685. answers the mate.
mot much yer WON'T We wants NOAH
allow much, them"
"Scycniy.tiyc dollars"
"You don't get IL. Get aboard here, all
OF you; we're going 10 get away from
here" and ~ the mate thus commands
the stage plank slowly begins TO rise in an
uncertain way.
But the rousiers DO not obey. On the
contrary they hustle a. the shore like a
drove OF frightened sheep, after first dc.
handing the money luc them for loading
tho boat, and being refused because ol
their contract TO make the round trip.
Their descrtiou leaves the officers In the
devil OF a stew. 10 pull out, anyhow, Is
impmclicablc, because there is no crew TO
handle the freight ut future landings To
get another crew Is impossible at the time,
for there seems 10 be strong bond of
sympathy and union between oil the
negroes following the river as ''profcsh.'
Then again, should the boat leave there Is
strong probability that she would be- ticd
up n, the first point United States mar
siial could reach her, ON libel proceedings
instituted by the tricky deserteru Thus
ensucs the most annoying and really seri-
ous complications Every moment lost
from the regular trip entails heavy loss
upon the oNn0rs, ~ expenses 90 on just
tile same; yet 10 Yield 10 the suddenly
sprung demands means n grave surrender
Of power To the unskillcd, Ignorant aud
arrogant deck crew. Between them,
slcamboatmcn have a very hard and UNI
enyiablc time OF IT,
II does look like n certain rule Of action
In this ease might bc laid down lot the
guidance Of both parties In interest, and
yet II appears n difficult problem To solve.
OF COURSE there u no law In this part Of
the country to compel one man 10 work
for another, except Ia the eases Of couvcts
and certain STYLES oi contracts with forfeit
money attached. The interests involved
are too great TO be- triIlcd with. In many
cases where judges are called upon 10 vi
In libel procccding they have taken &C.
casion 10 lecture the roustcrs on the beau.
Ties Of living up 20 contracts, but Il IL al
ways sweetness wasted. What do they
care for anybody but themselves And
what consideration have they for rights
belonringin whole or in par, 10 oihers9 II
q indeed n vexaiious problem.