Читать книгу The American Missionary. Volume 43, No. 07, July, 1889 - Various - Страница 5

In replacing the burned portion of our building at Le Moyne Institute, Memphis, Tenn., the work was done by colored men. The Principal of the Institute says that, "though the job was far from simple, not a single error or mistake has occurred from beginning to end to mar our satisfaction at its successful completion."

The architect who drew the plan expressed considerable anxiety lest a colored mechanic with all colored assistants should not prove equal to so large and important an undertaking. The result shows how unfounded were his forebodings.

The job is done, and well done, and with so much expedition that in sixty days after the fire they were moving into the reconstructed and improved building. Every one who has had any hand in the work has seemed personally interested and anxious to expedite the work, from the architect and lumber dealer to the commonest laborer.

Superintendent Hall writes:

Testimony as to the working power and will of the Negro is to be had on all sides whenever a person speaks honestly.

A professional gentleman in Andersonville operates five large plantations without any white overseer except himself, and is making money from the land. He states his principle to be: "I make a short, clear contract with the Negroes and do exactly what I promise, and I require the same execution of their side of the bargain. And I pay them just what I agree to pay them. They work six days every week. I give them a chance to attend a funeral or church service if they keep up the work."

A prominent contractor, builder and brick-maker in Thomasville, Ga., employs from one hundred to three hundred Negroes constantly in all branches of his business. He says: "They are a patient, reliable class of workers. If a man will be fair with them and do as he agrees, he will never have trouble. They are not cranky as some white workmen. They do the finest part of mason's and carpenter's work well."

These two men are native Southerners, whose parents were large slave owners.

Fault is found with the Negro on the coast line, wherever the turpentine business exists, because he will not work on the plantations. The turpentine work with its "boxing," "scraping," "gathering" and "distilling," is all piece-work, paid in cash. The Negroes are among the trees before daylight and work till dark. By so doing they earn 75c., $1.00 or $1.25 per day. The plantations pay "rations"—a peck of common meal and four pounds of bacon per week, and 35c. to 50c. per day, the latter mostly in promises.

A lady in New Orleans who keeps a popular boarding house for tourists said, when Straight University was mentioned, "Just as soon as a colored girl goes to school she is good for nothing afterward. She won't work. I've lost several bright, likely girls that way." Inquiry shows that the lady pays five dollars per month and requires the help to sleep at home. A constant demand is made on our Normal Department for teachers for from twenty to forty dollars per month. Strange that educated colored young men and women will not "work!"