New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-24
NEGRO LABOR IN TIE SOUTH.

"The Tradesman,n journal published in
Chattanooga, and devoted to the interests Of
Southern industry, has been investigating the
important subject of negro labor. Two years
| ago il addressed crcuar'to manufacturers in
tho cotton and tobacco belts soliciting informa-
ton respecting the number of negro laborers
| employed, the wages paid, and their efficiency
in comparison with white laborers. Recently il
has sought to supplement- the results of the
| first investigation by submitting additional
questions in regard to the improvement of the
| blacks as manufacturing and farming hands
and the effect of education in promoting their
| efficiency. In its current issue it publishes
svnopsis of the replies received from manufact-
urels in all the Southern States. While the
opinions Of employers arc characterized in some
instances by Southern prejudice against the
policy of educating blacks, the article is use
full and important contribution to American
social science.
There is naturally n sharp divergence of
opinion respecting an increase in efficiency OF
black labor. summary of the replies fol-
lows: Sixty-seven employers, hiring 2,413
negroes, declare with emphasis that their Ia
borers are steadily improving in workmanliko
| ''N@''
borers. take the opposite view, and 10 employ
ers are in doubt The balance of testimony
discloses on the whole marked improvement
in the condition of Southern labor. The fact
that nearly every employer expresses a deter
mination to continue business operations which
are dependent upon negro labCrers, skilled and
unskilled is prima facie evidence that manu-
factlIrers and planters are encouraged to expect
better things in the future. To this is added
the direct testimony of a majority of employers
that there has been marked improvement in
the efficiency of negro workers during the last
six or eight years. The value of this testimony
is enhanced by the fact that it is offered in the
main by men who, while they have ceased to
defend slavery on moral grounds, are predis-
posed to believe that the negroes were moro
industrious under the old-time conditions Of
enforced labor.
Respecting the utility of education in pro-
noting industrial efficiency there is an even
sharper division of opinion. Thirty correspond
entS, employing 2,SG0 negroes, affirm that THEN
working power is increased by education; &C.
with $500 negroes under them, assert that ii
detracts from a negroS efficiency TO educate
him: and IS, with 1872 colored mon in THEN
employment, have no definite opinion on the
subject. The balance Of testimony here is
against education, but when adequate allow
ance is made for the fact that the witnesses are
mainly Southern whites, taught from childhood
TO look upon the negro as belonging to an in.
feror race, it is highly encouraging to find SC
large a minority frankly admitting that educa-
| ton, while useful and necessary for white
man, is helpful TO a black man as we'll
Education naturally has one effect which il
, Commented upon by various employers. Il
tends to make many negroes Discontinued Will
plantation work and with toiling in factories
and mines. 1t recruits the number of teachers
preachers, sleeping-car porters, BARRIERS, car.
penters and mechanics. The best educated
, negroes will not be likely to remain on planta
tons and to submit to the drudgery of common
labor in an iron mine This class which show;
= the largest results of education, does not com,
3 within the scope Of this investigation at all
The employers who disparage the utility O
+ negro schools are restricting their conclusion.
to the least ambitious and intelligent aborer
and farm hands, and excluding those who hay,
received the greatest benefit from their educa
a tiona advantages. On this point, however, W,
D are not inclined TO be disputatous The gen
( era result of this investigation respecting TIT
condition of black labor seems 10 lis highl,
a encouraging. IL shows that race prejudice il