The southern argus. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Cherokee County, Kan.) 1891-1???, 1891-09-24
THE NEGRO AS A WORKER.

The efficiency of the Negro as Skill
ed worker as a factory operative, and
as a free laborer generally, Is ques-
ton of general interest, especially in
teresting to southern states. The
Tradesman recently sent out to extern
sive employers in the south, a circular
asking the following questions among
others:
"a. What degree of efficiency do you
find in common and skilled Negro labor
as compared to white labor in like
work?
IS. Do you intend to continue the
employment of Negro labor?
IS. Are your Negro laborers improv-
ing in efficiency?
~ What effect has such education
as the Younger generation has acquired
on them as laborers?
IS. Does it add to or detract from q
Negroes efficiency as laborer, in your
opinion to educate him?''
The replies received indicate that the
wages now paid the Negroes in the south
equal, if they do not exceed, the aver
age wages of white factory operatives,
as shown by the census of 1880.
The Negroes, moreover, are as yet
generally exempt from the curse OF
child labor in mine aud factories. The
summary of answers received by the
Tradesman are thus given:
Replies were received from 106 per-
sons residing in all the southern states,
and employing 1925 colored workers,
of whom 918 are reported to be skilled
laborers The highest wages reported
as paid to skilled laborers is IS per day,
the lowest 81 10, and the average wages
of skilled laborers S1.75 per day. The
highest wages received by unskilled
laborers, as shown by these replies,
are Sl.50 per day, the lowest 60 cents
per day, and the average Sl.1o per
day.
The replies to the fourth question:
What degree of efficiency do you find
in common and skilled Negro labor as
compared to white labor in like work?'
are not so general as the answers to
some of the others. Briefly stated, 81
employers of 1879 colored workers see
no difference as to their capacity as
compared to white labor; 35 employers
of ,44l colored men prefer white labor
and 40 employers of S,214 Negroes pre-
fer them to white laborers in the same
capacity.
ITO the inquiry: Does it add to the
Negroes efficiency to educate him?' the
answers are very interesting. Toques-
tions and s. concern ng this topic,
there were received 139 answers. most
of which were quite brief. Employers
30 in number. having 2, 500 colorcd en-
ployes say that the amount of educa-
tion which the younger Negroes have
received has been of benefit to them.
and that il adds to the efficiency of a
Negro to educate him"
From the answers received there is
left no doubt that the Negro Is be-
coming capable Of doing better work.
and that where the opportunity Is given
him to do skilled labor. as it in in the
south, he is capable OF developing 20 AS
TO improve il. There has been some
fear on the part of few that the Negro
was not holding his own. or gaining
ground in the industrial or mechanical
line However, in spite of his many
draw backs, he is steadily going for.
"aTus anu IO one VINO mas made his
progress a study, in this line his adj
vancement is truly marvellous The
Tradesman's inquiries were directed to
employers in the Southern States only.
In the north the wages run considera-
bly, higher. For instance, | have been
investigating the wages received by
Negroes in the north and their accept
ance as employees and find that the
highest wages paid 20 skilled Negro la
borers in the north is 81. 80; 81 50 in ex.
cess of what is paid 10 skilled Negro L.
borers in the south The lowest wages
paid 70 skilled colored laborers IN tie
north, si.75: the average s. 50 per day.
For unskilled Negro labor IN the north,
the average wages per day 81 35: IS
cents in excess OF that in the south I
also find that the skilled Negro laborer,
when given . chance. Is IS preferable
If not more, as the whites. and that
there IS no difference between the efFi-
cheney of skilled Negro laborer and
. skilled white laborer. LAEPH