The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-06-06
Farmers and Lesislaticn

The editor OF the Press and Banner Of
Abteville. 8. c., in the course Of an editorial
cotton farm and ofmoving 10 q mill town for
a man with half q dozen Hehtidren, makes
some pertinent suggestions !or the benefit OF
men who may be persuaded. by him to quilt
wages and who may contemplate Joining a
textile union with the idea of taking charge
OF cotton mill. Heeays:' ~
"As far as our information goes, 1t Is perfect
ly certain That 1t 10 the present intention OF
the owners OF the cotton mills hereabout TO
run their mills In their own way. 1t might,
therefore, be well lto walt until you are elect
ed, or asked, to tRk1s charge OF these institu.
suffered very grieyolsly from yielding to the
limportunities OF Idle creatures who came
among them and induced them to believe that
would allow them to dictate the policy and
the business methods OF the institution.
The mill owners gre trying to run their M
no mts thsir assumption s Of ABILITY to run the mills
which they have built but you Just let the
idiots alone, as long as you get your salary.
| You know that the Bible says there Is more
his own conceit, but it Is possible that the
| fools who own the mills may some day find
out that they cannot run them: The main
thing then for you TO do is to perfect yourself
owners Of the MILL when looking for some
one to run their machinery, may pick you
out to take the job OF bossing the concern.
| 1.-THE master-mechanic, the superintendent,
the bosses and others holding responsible
| places In the mills got their places through
merit and have worked themselves up 10
their present high places by efficiency and
fidelity. Good places demand the best OF
skill.
III Northern mill men send their agents TO
Augusta, and II Augusta mill-men seek 10
Interfere with Carolina mill operatives, We
would say, my son, If sinners entce thee
consent thou not"
The Southern Farm Magazine then pro-
oeeds to soy.
Beneath this Jocularity Is very sound and
reasonable advice, which may well be borne
lin mind, not only by cottonmill operatives
but by the men who prefer TO remain on the
farm and who, in the South, have IT in theil
power largely to control the LEGISLATION o
their States. It has become the fashion mere
and there for legislators 10 aeek to provide
for Interference by the State with matters o
individual contract between an employs
and employe. This fashion has thus far con
cerned plincip11ly cotton mills. 1t Ia fash
ion whlch&ne farmers should not permit t'
The development of cotton mills in th'
ISouth means broader markets for the farm
era, Anything calculated to check the 10
lclinatIon OF capital to invest in cotton mill
lmearis a Limitation of those markets. Inter
ference by legislation with the operations o
cotton mills may be safely depended upon u
check cotton-mill building, If not to hampe
! the operations OF those already in existence
FARMERS. in selecting their candidates for tn
legislature may do we'll TO prevent the nom
: nation OF any men suspected of an incllna
tion to advocate measures which can nav
the effect only Of disturbing the pleasan
relations OF Southern employers ana en-
. ployes.