The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1896-12-05
Letters from tho People.
WANTS FAIR PLAY.
Editor Messenger:

cannot have failed to discern the fact
that, the paper has eagerly embraced
each and every opportunity to pitch in
to J. B. Levert, apparently, for the sole
purpose of holding him up to public
ignomiDy, and booming him to public
execration. 1t can even be suspected
shat the FIRST bearer Of i'll tidiDgs
against this gentleman was considered
of sufficient basis for you to open your
batteries upon him. 1t is further sus-
pected that your first article was printed
merely upon hear SAY, without any tho
rough investigation upon your part. and
the more you printed. the darker and
isrger appeared his misdoings.
In this case you have depended great
deal on rumOr-but for this you are not
altogether to blame. because as a gene
fal proposition where there is smoke
there must be some fire.
But what is the sum and substance OF
Leyert's great Offense3 1t is not said
chat he does not pay his labor the same
price as other refineries. 1t is not said
that he works his people more hours
chan other refineries. II is not said
chat he does not mete out the same
treatment to his labor as other similar
Institutions.
II Is said, however. that his tennante
are dissatisfied. But is he not fulfill
Ing his contract to the letter. with
them. When they accepted his terms,
and he abides by and carries them out,
have they just cause for complaint
It Is true that Levert made mistake
In the bounty matter-a mistake that
hone seeks to palliate. But he has paid
the demand made upon him, and a gen.
erOus foe will not gloat over the misfor-
tunes of fallen enemy. This. then, is
q closed chapter.
Now recurs our query. What is the
sum and substance Of Levsrts Offend
ing9 Only this, and nothing more: He
is not paying as much for cane as the
s,ritch people. Is is not possible. that
like any new conner in new field, the
switch people are offeriug extra in
ducements. this year, to create and build
up clientele.
You have heard of merchants Just
opening their doors, offer special bar.
gains to attract customers. Who can
tell but what the same spirit actuates
these switch people. We think they are
paying more than either one or the
other Of our reineries.
After all it Is not probable that Levert
holds the power to COMPEL the planters
to sell their cane to him. There are no
legal impediments to prevent them from
selling to whOmsoever they please. St.
John simply makes an offer, it is take
or leave.
However, il you think Levert deserves
to be pillOried for not paying as much
a. the switch people, why don't you
snimadvert upon others who it is ru.
mored. are likewise resting in the sha-
dow? You certainly must have heard
some things about the president Of the
Oil Works, who enjoys. in some quar-
tiers, the distinction Of being an under
paid labor crusher. You must have
heard the rumOr that the employees.
at his mill. are worked twelve hours
straight half day, half night with
barely time sufficient for meals. You
must have heard the belief expressed
that apart of the employees are paid less
shan the pay given by neighboring
mills. You must have heard the rumor
that when New Iberia ginneries paid
$40 thousand pounds for seed cotton.
he paid SIS.
The charge is not directly made here
that these rum0rs are true. But one
thing IL evde.t 10 some Of your readers;
when you tirst impaied the owner OF st.
John, your action was primarily based
upon rumor.
Investigation will show whether these
fumors are I. Tie. A little inquiry will
demonstrate what are the hours Of labor.
and wage rates. This gained write to or
inquire at. the mills in close by towns,
and ask. particularly. the number of
hours and the wagespaid to the pressmen.
tnci6s lcorhers, Datcnman and gardiner.