Year: 1870

How the Chinsmuu Works ON tho Sugar


PlantaiiOns-The Feeling Of tho Negro for


Him.


from the New Orleans Republican, July 24.1


On Wednesday we passed near the Millaudon
plantation, now owned by Mr.. Merrill in conjunc-
ton with several other gentlemen. We took the
occasion to ascertain how the Chinese laborers
who, few weeks ago, came down the river and
are now at work on the plantation were doing,
and how far their employers were satisfied with
the experiment Of Chinese labor on the sugar
field. We were informed by the manager Mr.
Kingsly, that the enterprise is undoubtedly sue
cess, unless some disturbing element arises which
cannot at present be foreseen. The Chinese
plough in good STYLE equally as well as trained
colored ploughmen They are yet little slow
with the hoe, but are constantly improving, and
they work with steady perseverance during all
the allotted hours of labor.


1t has been mentioned before in this paper that
the Chinese appear unwilling to engage as labor
ers on plantations or farms unless in large num-
bers. This may easily be accounted for by OBJ
yious reasons. In addition to this, it seems that
In their work they pay little attention to any drec
tions given, unless such directions come through
the medium of their head man. This is the case
with the Chinese on the Millaudon plantation
They attend implicitly to any direction given by
their chief however. This chief, so far as we can
ascertain, appears to be man Of superior caste or
rank, and as such commands the respect Of his
more pebeian followers. He wears species of
bracelet on his arm, which seems to be the en-
blem OF authority. and he Is probably Of the Chi
nese aristOcracy of learning. At any rate, as long
as things are satisfactorily arranged with the lead
ing man there appears to be no tear of trouble
with the subordinates.


John Chinaman seems to entertain very lively
sense Of his own interest in any bargain he makes;
and the man of the Flowery Kingdom Is not
whit behind the descendants OF CaDaans conquer
ors In business shrewdness. He has keen RELISH
too, for getting hold of the right end of the as
paragus-for bavng the best Of bargain. This
was shown by some keen maneuvrng to arrange
the system Of labor for five days and a half each
week, while getting paid for six days. He Is open
to reason, however, and acknowledging with be-
witching candor that he would not like to work
six days and get paid for five and a half, he was
also, that the rule ought to work both ways so
John was finally contented to obtain remuneration
to the extent of his labor. and no more.


We bad some opportunity to learn what the
colOred man thinks of his new competitor and
how far they are likely to harmonic together.
One man said that the plentifulness of Chinese
labor would have the effect of stirring up some
of the lazy folks, and make them open their eyes
when they found that labor was plentiful !;
that they could no longer loaf until the meal bar
rel was enpty and the last fat side gone, and
then go to work for some one who was glad to
get them.


Another said no decent colored man need trou.
BILE himself about John Chinaman. cause you
| see, boss, dat any mans got head on his shOul
ders ans wllin' to use arms an leg, kin allus


git wuck in dis country, caze dare alus plenty tt
| do" One old auntie, who looked as If born II
| the year one, said the Chinese every good people
don't do muffin to nobody; mind der own bisness ;
Generally there was no feeling of jealousy
among the colored folks in the neighborhDod OF
the Chinese, and the prospect seems to promise
success.