Year: 1872




HOW TO IMPROVE NEGRO LABOR


The following sound article is from
the Nashville Union and American, q
paper that is doing much for the promo
tion of agricultural interests in the South /:


The most difficult problem of solution,
and upon which the future prosperity OF
the South, in a large measure, depends, is
the best method of managing negro labor.


This problem is greatly complicated by
the fact of an abnormal, or unusual rela-
ton having existed heretofore between the
negroes who labor on the farm and the
persons who employ them It is difficult
for the people of the South to realize the
fact that the negro is free man, entitled
to all the privileges of native-born citizens.
subject to the same laws and claiming the
same rights. The negro, on the other
hand. has been instructed to believe that
the white people of the South would de-
prive them of their freedom, and remand
them back into slavery if they only had
the power. These two ideas, acting in
antagonism. have served to repel the two
races from each other. and like magnet
distributing their forces in opposite direc-
tions. With few exceptions there has been
but little sympathy and bat little good
will between them. other than that which
results from a mutual dependence upon
each other This in tho impoverished
condition of the South. is greatly to be
deplored. She needs the hearty concur
renee of every. force, moral. intellectual
and physical. to regain her lost ascendency,
and to place her on the high road to wealth
and prosperity.


We propose to submit a few suggestions
founded on experience. by which both ra-
ces may be benefited. gs4 s 10 vf5...tsss,


l. As the white race has more intelli-
gencc and more experience with the world.
the beginning ofa reform should commence
with it. and the first step is to make the
negro more permanent in his home. A
wandering laborer, with no ties to bind
him to any locality, is deprived Of these
incentives which make enterprising and
industrious citizens. They should be fur
nished with comfortable houses. in which
they may board themselves. have their
own gardens, their own milch cows. bee
hive or two and such comforts as . laboring
man feels that he ought to have. They
will then know that $ they reap the full
measure of their labor. and that bis supe-
rior skill and industry will be rewarded by
increased enjoyments and comforts.


2. As the introduction of machinery
into the operations of the farm is becoming
more general each year, so larger degree
of intelligence is constantly demanded.
The senseless exercise Of muscle cannot
compete with the precision and intelligent
action of machinery. Each succeeding
year will show diminished demand for
ignorant labor and an increased inquiry
for skilled labor. The highest interest Of
the South, then. demands recognition
of this fact, and the adoption of some
measures by which the laborer may be in
structed in the higher requirements of the
farm. for all the experience of this country
goes to prove that it is more economical
to employ intelligent labor to direct ma
chinery than to employ ignorant labor and
dispense with machinery. The produc-
ton of cotton. since the invention of the
cotton gin; the increased production of
wheat since the invention Of the reaper,
are cases in point; and so far from machi-
merry reducing the average price of labor.
the producing power of days labor, is
greater now than it ever has been; en-
ployment is more constant; sales of agri-
cultural products more. certain, and a
gradual elevation ofthe laborer in the scale
of dignity and intelligence more decided.


8. No labor can be made permanently
profitable that is not contented. What
ever then is done to make it contented and
happy, rebounds as much to the interest
of the employer as to the laborer. For
this reason we think every large employer
of labor should have school-house erected
on his farm, so that the children may be
instructed in the elements of ''learning.
virtue and science" Apart from the hap
piness which it gives the parents. it fits
the children for more intelligent labor de-
manded by the advance of true civiliza-
ton. The largest profit ever paid by any
cotton factory in the South, was by one
in Georgia. where the stockholders not
only furnish complete hones for their en-
ployees, but keep teacher constantly
employed for the instruction. of their
children. The operatives consider it a
rare privilege to be employed, and the
owners of the factory have never been
troubled with "strikes" or o scarcity of
labor. ~ s


Some regard ought also to be bad to
their epjoyments. Every class of people
have their special pleasures. The Ger
mans. for example, have their beer gardens,
the Irish their 'walks';' the French their
soirees; the Spaniards their fandaugos,
and if the negro shows q prediction for
'big meetings." loud prayers and doleful
songs, it must be set down as one of his
peculiar" pleasures. to which he has q
right by nature and desire by instinct.
Let him enjoy them; nay, let him bo as
sisted in enjoying them, il it will make
him more effective, reliable and honest
laborer. 70 a.Tt ar1a


4. The confidence Of tho negro must be
secured, and he must be made morally
certain that he viii get the iall value 81