The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-28
He Boldly Imports Contract Labor.
The Wages Paid Them Much Less
Than the Standard Here.
An Employe Whom He Had De-
ceived Gives the Snap Away.
The Rich Man Compels the Poor
Fellow to Pay His Passage,
Which Had Been Advanced to Him as
an Inducement to Come to This
Country-He and Harrison
Make a Fine Pair.


New YORK, July 27.-The Eteniag
World says: More than a week ago the
Erning World became aware that Mr..
Levi p. Morton, Republican candidate
for Vice. President, had brought to this
country foreign laborers under contract,
Since then reporters have been patiently
at work gathering the facts which verify
the story. The importance of the allega-
tions required the utmost carcfulness as TO
accuracy and detail and for this reason
the story was held back until today.
II is astounding but true that the gen.
teman put forward for the second office
in the United States by the Republican
party, which claims to be the friend and
protector Of the American laborer, has
gone abroad for his own help and inn
ported contract laborers at about half the
wages paid the same class Of workmen
here.
Whether in so doing Mr.. Morton has
violated the law Of the contract labor law
is a delicate question, on which there may
well be n conflict Of opinion, and which
probably could not be decided out Of court.
II all depends upon whethcrgardeners and
farm laborers may be considered domestic
servants"
Most Of Mr.. Morlon's servants are for
eign. but il is with the cases OF two under
gardeners, John Boyd and Iachlan Forbesi
that the Erning World deals. These Mr..
Morton engaged in London last winter and
sent over here TO take charge Of his green
houses at Rhineback, after first compelling
them TO sign contract that they would
work for him for two years at the rate OF
wages named in the contract. This was
S3i month for Boyd and $50 u month for
Forbes, without board. The former
was afterward induced 10 re-.
main at Mr.. Morton's place by an
- offer OF a higher salary, although he was
very much dissatisfied with the manner in
which he had been treated. Forbes went
away and Is now foreman Of the green.
houses Of William X. Nanderblts place at
Oakdalc, l.. /.
Forbes is n bright, intclligcnt-looking
young man OF twcnty-siX, and TO a repre-.
sentative Of the Euping World he told a
very interesting story OF his dealings with
MIR. Morton.
FORBES STORY.
Both Boyd and myself" he said, "had
good positions at Neilch x Co. = nun cries
in London last winter, when Mr.. Morton
sent word from Italy 10 Mr.. Neitch asking
him 10 select two nrst.class flower garden.
ers for him TO send out TO his place in the
States.
ole said he had a magnificent place
and the finest greenhouses in the country,
and wanted only the best men.
"Mr. Neitch spoke 30 US about Il and We
thought We would like 10 20, 80 lac sent
on 10 Mr.. Morton our recommendations
and a statement OF the wages we expected,
which were fl0 and es respectively q
month, for Boyd had had more experience
than |. Mr.. Morton soon wrote back that
these was too high and proposed 10 give
Ms $50 and S3i each, and wanted us 10 call
on him rs soon as he came 10 London.
eve hesitated good deal at first, hui
finally, at the advice Of friends, We decided
10 consider the matter, and when Mr..
Morton came 10 London in February last
we both went 10 see him. We were Obliged
20 go three or four times, but at last We
saw him and he gave us such glowing ac'
count oi his magnificent estate in Americg
that VIC hesitated no longer.
"Whcn lac saw our willingness he told
us 10 call the next day and sign the con
tract. We were there ON time, and when
he met MS he pulled out n contract, writ
ten on one sheet Of paper, for US both e
: sign, and read il TO us.
III don't remember the exact word
ing goi the contract was, but part Of Il reat
like this
eve, the undersigned, hereby agree e
give our services as under gardeners L
levi T.. Morton iorthc period Of two ycars
beginning March /, 1855
"The wages, S3l and $50, were men
ti6ned, and Mr.. Morton agreed TO pay ou
expenses and passage money out.
"This is the last that either Of us saw o
the contract, for Mr.. Morton stuck Il II
his pocket aud said everything would b,
all right We did not see him again III
May, when ho returned from Europe. III,
provided US with passage tickets, and W
came over in the Egypt, which arrived
here about the end Of February.
"a good deal has been said about th
dissatisfaction which We feel regarding To,
arrangements which were made for us owe
here, and the general condition Of tn
place, which was totally different fron
what we had been led 30 expect, aud thor
is not bit Of Il exaggerated. II | ha
known what IL was | never would hav
come here, and both Boyd aud myself dc
cided 10 leave a. soon as Mr.. Morton cam
over.
I'VE found, too, that we were gettin
only about half the wages paid 30 skille
gardeners in this country, aud this alon
made us indignant at our treatment.
"l remember distinctly when first sa'
Mr.. Morton after his arrival. lie ha
been NJ the house two days before b
made his appearance on the grounds. II
was walking around the greenhouse
when he saw me aud asked me my namC
told him, and then, without any furthc
conversation, said 10 him:
"T suppose Mr.. Mclannan, the hea
gardener, has told you that | intend
leave a, the end Of May, Mr.. Mortonp
q 'lIc seemed very much surprised m
replied 80 you ar, going 10 leave, ~
your Well, should like 10 scc you do Il
IL told him that was going, neverth'
less, and said that the wages were yer
unsatisfactory.
"'Well, you have a contract with me
he said, and should like 10 zee you brca
Il. | will have you arrested
"'Ii is you who have broken your col
tract, Mr.. Morton, said, because thinI