Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-05-01
NEGRO LABOR PROBLEM.


Err, we suggested that if the experiment
of introducing Negro labor into the cotton
mills of the State should be tried, it would
prove a success. Although, we were
afraid of the result in other directions, we
were influenced in the opinion by actual
observation of similar experiment in the
South Carolina penitentiary. We were
aware of the fact that there is universal
opinion to the effect that the Negro could
not be trained to use machinery of any
kind-even such as is used on the farm
intelligently; but were disposed to think
that in this opinion there was more or less
prejudice. The discussion of the subject
has brought to our attention certain facts
which, we think, will prove valuable
contribution just at this juncture. Here
are the facts just as they have come to US,
and they may be taken as they are given :
Down in Chester county, near Fort
Lawn, there is factory known as the
Cedar Shoals mill. It was built by Cap
tain o. A. Barber and others some 10
years ago, when cotton manufacturing
was at the zenith of its prosperity in this
section. The plant consisted of about
1,6OO spindles, and the first cost was very
close to $4,000, possibly few thousand
dollars more or q few thousand dollars
less. The mill has not turned wheel for
about three years and it is for sale for
SIC, 900, or any reasonable amount in that
neighborhood. Messrs. ]. B. Pegram
and w. r. Carroll, two Yorkville gentle
men who have the means, went down to
Cedar Shoals one year ago for the pur-
pose Of looking at the property with a
view to buying. They took along with
them Superintendent Morton, of the Clo-
yer mill, as an expert, and here is Mr..
Pegram's story:
eve looked the property over we'll,
found good building, splendid water
power, and every reason to believe that
the earning capacity of the mill would
warrant purchase at the price at which it
was offered. The machinery, however, had
been badly used, and as the result Of our
investigations it was developed that the
mill had been largely, if not almost entire
ly operated by Negro labor. A gentleman
who was we'll acquainted with the history
of the enterprise informed US, among other
things, that the habits of the Negro spin
ners were very careless. When thread
would break on half filled spool, for
instance, instead of tying it or unwinding
the yarn, the Negro spinners would just
pitch the whole thing out of the window
into the creek. I venture the assertion,
continued our informant, that if you
would seine the creek you would get
something like whole carload Of spools
that have been thrown away by the Ne
groes in this manner The whole sur
Froundings. presented the appearance OF
slovenness, and although would not say
that the failure of the mill was caused by
Negro labor, T would not be surprised If
that did not have something to do with
it."
superintendent Morton advised US to
buy the plant, put in white labor and run
it for what it was worth. He said that he
felt like guaranteeing that we would get
our money back in two years. Mr.. Car
roll was right in for making the purchase ;
but backed out. did not discount the
opinion of Mr.. Morton; but was 80 i'm
pressed with the uninviting surroundings,
lack of educational facilities and civilized
society, etc., that I decided that I would
not move my family down there for the
whole outfit as gift"
So far as The ENQUIRER is able to learn,
this mill is still standing idle and is await
ing a purchaser at something like $4,000.
The original owners have been thoroughly
disguised with the result Of their unlucky
venture and do not seem to have the heart
to try again. After awhile, however, some
shrewd business man will probably 60
down and buy the property, repair the
machinery, put things generally in decent
shape again, employ white labor, and
make ten strike.
AS we suggested the other day, nothing
but the hope of larger dividends is likely
to induce mill managers to supplant white
with colored labor. In the light of the
circumstances just related, we think cap
italists will probably proceed in the mat
ter with at least little caution.
PoPULIsT PAPER ON TILLMAN.-
Conotnr Tillmon ha, rptnrnp6 from the