The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1900-07-04

MIR. EDITOR: Among the many things
that tends to operate against the sue
cess of the farmer during the crop sea-
sen is the increasing mrcliabilitv of
labor. The farmer begins the year. "a,
he thinks, with his hired labor pro-
pcrly contracted for and reliable, and
under this impression he plans for the
crop, secs that his tools are i'm OrdCr,ar-
ranges for his necessary supplies, if he
has not already enough provided, buys
ms guano, or prepares his "hOmC-madc
compostS, in fact arrangCs everything
Tor business All is bright and hone
ful and he looks forward to Il prosper
Gus year. counts the probable Weld of
ms iield and after dcducting all oN-
pcnScs he hopes his profits will be suf-
iicicnt to get himself and family com
Portable clothing and other nccCssaric,
of life, besides enabling him to yCt lit
tie John or Mary oil to College or to
the village High School. Alas for his
dreams. About the time the crop needs
all attention and prompt help ON the
part of his hired labor whom Il dav
lost counts heavily against him, the
"prolractcd meetings." Odd Fellow
l'aradCs,' business at town" etc. TO
to say nothing of Brother Jones sick
ness or "Sistcr Smiths funeral" will
take away his hired labor for one or
more days in almost every week II
makes no difference how much he may
demonstrate with his hands for LOSING
50 much time, and that they should
faithfully give honest work under their
contracts, they are going, and if YOU
talk of enforcing your contract they
Will tell you very plainly they will quit
your employment for they know the
penalty of their contracts amount, to
no punishment at all. Besides, Mr.. IA. :"
"l}, y or &c" stands ready to pay their
line and take your hands to work for
him until fine is paid back? How i,
this to be rcmCdicd: 1t is true we have
already law for violations of con
tracts, both for the employee and the
persons who may cnticC him away. but
the penalty III the first case is so mild.
and the homestead protects against
damages in the other, that il is entirely
imperative and docs not deter or meet
the requirements Of the case. We
should have Il law commensurate with
the damages committed. If the con
tract is for SiN months on Il year the
penalty should be 1T hard labor ON the
pnhlic roads for the time contracted
for.
1t is true this will not benefit the
farmer, SO far Us getting his crop
worked at the proper time. but he will
be benefited indirectly by getting the
public roads better worked SO he can
travel over them without SO much loss
to himself in wear and tear of animal,
and wagons The evil of violation of
contract is an increasing one, and will
continue to increase in proprotion to the
scarcity OF labor, unless rcmcdicd by Il
more strict punishment.
Now, as everything almost depends
upon the success Of the farm. ought not
the farmer have better prOtrction
against the violation of his contract?
Now is the time to cOnsdcrthiS uuCS-
tlon. Let ii be brought before the can
didatcs for the Legislature and debated
curing the coming campaign. What
say You, Bro. farmer? If YOU suiIcr
from this evil, give us your opinion in
TIiE ADVERTISER or Herald and help
agitate the subject.
SUFFERER.