The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-11
oGEEcHEE DISTRICTS NEGROES.
Planters Claim They VIII Not Work
When 1t II offered Them.

When It IL offered Them.
There Is variance in the reports Of the
condition of the negroes Of the Ogeechee
river district and their Willingness TO work
were the opportunity offered them. A
planter was up from near Burroughs yes
terday and told quite a different story
from that which is told by the coIored
people.
The planter says the negroes could find
a plenty to do If they SO desired, that
there is great deal that the planters are
Obliged TO have done at this time of the
year, notwithstanding the recent heavy
loss OF the rice crops. Every planter along
the river, he said, has work to be done.
what rice Is left must be saved, the plan
lation banks have to be built UP, and there
are a number of other things that have
to be done in order that the lands may be
put in a condition FOR the planting of an
other crop.
The planter says they could have saved
a portion of their rice crops could they
have only gotten hands to do the work in
time. Everything was in such a condi-
ton that the work had 10 De done at once
or not at all. 1t was offered the negroes
at advanced wages, but the planter Gays
they would not do IT,
A very fair statement of the situation
seemed to have been made by the plant
er. He said that the negroes Will not work
as long as they are supplied with rations
He does not approve of the appeal tn1t
has been made for assistance for them,
as he is confident that they are in no such
need as they represent and knows that
work Is waiting for them If they viii only
accept IT,
1t is a well-known fact that at times
in the past the negroes of the sea islands
~ of
storm-swept. simply because they were be-
ing supplied with rations, by charitaby
disposed people. They did not care 10 XIII
the goose that was laying the golden egg
by starting to work. They saw that there
was no use in working as long as they
could be supplied with the necessities Of
life while in likeness The planter who
was up from Burroughs thinks this is
repetition of past instances, and he be-
lieves there should be a careful invesu-
CATION of the condition of the colored pep-
pie OF the Ogeechee district before aid Is
given them.
The colored people of Burroughs are adj
herring tenaciously to their claims that the
storm left them destitute and without any
work TO do. A committee of them, con-
sisting of ]. C. Legere, Fortune Watson
Israel Clark and John Boles, was up yes
terday to file a petition In the office OF the
County Commissioners for assistance.
NO SprGiNC amount was dShtu LDl ny tiiC
committee. They are ready to take what
ever the county may sec fit to give them
1t is the idea of the committee that do
nation to the colored people should ne
made at the beginning of every month I'M
til their circumstances become such rs TO
make il unnec essary. This donation might
be either in money or supplies, in the
discretion of the County Commissioners.
The mGmboTs of the committee were
greatly incensed by the report that they
will not work when they can. They say
this is a mistake, and the public should not
be misled by such a report OF their condi-
ton. They insist that they are as badly
off as has been said, and that they abso-
lutely must have aid from outside sources.
The committeeman claim that they are
offered but 20 and % cents day for their
labor, and that it is impossible for them
to get along on such small wages. They
say they have been getting 80 and 40 cents
a day, and that they have been satisfied
to work for that. These wages, they say.
are in accordance with the prices the
planters have been getting for their rice.
All they want Is to be treated right, they
say. and they will gladly go TO work. but
they want enough to live on.
1t is likely the County Commissioners
will make a thorough investigation of the
needs of the people near Burroughs before
taking action upon their petition.