The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1892-10-29
WHAT ABOUT THE LAB0RERs .

This season is now becoming fixed
fact with every recurring days. ex-
perience in the cotton fields Of East
Carroll. From elsewhere we are de-
pendent upon the reports made from
time to time as to ihe condition of
things: but here in this parish our
knowledge of the gloomy outlook is
derived from personal observation
aud daily interviews with planters
and cotton growers generally.
The cotton crop Of 1892 can be put
down with safety to about one third
of Il regular average Weld. This ex-
treme shortage in connection witt, the
very low price of the staple that con-
,iuucs To prevail, will necessarily iu-
veIve much privation and suffering
among the people who work on the
plantations. This is distressing fact
that should receive the early and care
fui attention of every one interested
IN the future welfare of our parish.
1t is well known that the negro is an
important factor in producing the
staple growth of The valley. Indeed,
many persons Of extended experience
hold that ,be negro only can success
fully cultivate cotton from year 10
year in The bottom lands, that he is in
digiuous to the soil, and the white
mai as a staple producer, on an ex-
tended scale; is complete failure. Ii
this is true, which few will doubt, il
is of the last Importance that proper
care should be taken of The labor that
is threatened with short rations and
limited clothing in the near future.
Discomfort and migration follows
fast upon the footsteps of want and
privaiion, aud there is danger we
think that much of The restless labor
Of our parish will move on rather than
suffer. Leyees are being built all
along the valley, which will afford
some relief But most of the con-
tractors are comparative strangers
around here. aud there being such
close competition in the bids for work
they require experienced labor TO sue
cessfnlly and profiiably carry it on.
Thus il will be seen that too mach de-
pendence must not be placed on The
levee work as a source of relief from
the prospective privaiions that viii
surely come before the year draws TO
close.
This is rather difficult problem TO
solve, because it is well known that
planters and land owners are affected
Financially by the saline causes that
produce the suffering among the field
hands. aud their means are thereby
necessarily extremely limited. Yet,
we respectfully suggest that rather
than see the labor depart, they NIGH,
in many Instances secure The means to
prof ably anticipate The usual spring
plantation work #; blowing aud turn
ing oyer The land in The fall, IN have il,
frozen and mellowed BY wintry wealth
er. has always been regarded by ex-
perienccd planters as very desirable
thing 80 be done, for the destruction
of bugs and insects OF all kinds thai
become injurious TO the growing crops
on the return of spring. The great
importance of efficient labor to the
lani owner cannot be over estimated,
and not TO the land owner only, but to
business men OF all kinds, aud indeed
TO the future welfare of our parish,
for cotton being in a manner the only
spot cash produc, of our soil, We could
BoI we'll get along without it, and the
only labor that can produce it, there
fore In the interest of nil concerned.
we have made the foregoing suggest
ions aud hope they will be farorably
considered.