Annual report of the North Carolina Department of Labor

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UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL
00033934057
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TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
^^'
^n^'^^
\0\ o1^
9r
BUREAU OF LABOR AND PRINTING
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
1907
H. B. VARNER, Commissioner
M. L. SHIPMAN, ASST. COMMISSIONER
I
RALEIGH
:
E. M. UzzELL & Co., State Printers and Binders.
1908.
LETTER OF TRANSIVIITTAL
State of iSTokth Caeolina,
Office of Commissionek of Labor a^b Peinting,
Ealeigh, i^. C, January 13, 1908.
To His Excellency, Kobeet B. Glenn,
Governor.
SiE : I have the honor to present the Annual Eeport of the Bureau
of Labor and Printing for 1907.
Very respectfully,
Heney B. Yaenee,
Commissioner.
STATE GOVERNMENT.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
Robert B. Glenn Governor Forsyth.
Francis D. Winston Lieutenant-Governor Bertie.
J. Bryan Grimes Secretary of State Pitt.
Benjamin F. Dixon Auditor Cleveland.
Benjamin R. Lacy Treasurer Wake.
Robert D. Gilmer Attorney-General Hayv70od.
J. Y. Joyner Superintendent of Public Instruction Guilford.
Samuel L. Patterson Commissioner of Agriculture Caldwell.
Henry B. Varner Commissioner of Labor and Printing Davidson.
T. R. Robertson Adjutant- General Mecklenburg.
Alfred Williams Assistant Adjutant-General Wake.
M. O. Sherrill State Librarian -- Catawba.
James R. Young Insurance Commissioner Vance.
A. H. Arrington Private Secretary to Governor Nash.
Miss Lillian M. Thompson Executive Clerk Wake.
George W. Norwood Grant Clerk Wake.
W. S. Wilson Corporation Clerk Caswell.
Miss Minnie M. Bagwell Clerk and Stenographer Wake.
Joseph E. Sawyer Clerk and Stenographer Wake.
E. H. Baker Chief Clerk to Auditor Franklin.
Baxter Durham Tax Clerk Wake.
Mrs. F. W. Smith Pension Clerk and Stenographer Wake.
W. F. Moody Chief Clerk of Treasury Department Mecklenburg.
P. B. Fleming Teller Franklin.
H. M. Reece Clerk of Institutions Guilford.
Miss M. F. Jones Clerk and Stenographer Buncombe.
Hayden Clement Assistant Attorney-General Rowan.
Miss Sarah Burkhead Clerk and Stenographer to Atty.-General Columbus.
John Duckett Superintendent Colored Normal Schools Robeson.
A. J. Barwick Chief Clerk to Supt. Public Instruction Lenoir.
C. H. Mebane Clerk of Loan Fund Catawba.
Miss Hattie Arrington Clerk and Stenographer Wake.
Miss C. E. Broughton Assistant Librarian Wake.
R. D. W. Connor Secretary Historical Commission Wilson.
M. L. Shipman -' Asst. Com. of Labor and Printing Henderson.
Miss Daisy Thompson Clerk and Stenographer Wake.
D. H. Milton Clerk to Insuranc^ Commissioner Rockingham.
W. A. Scott Deputy Insurance! Commissioner Guilford.
A. H. Mowbray Actuary Wake.
Miss Ida Montgomery Stenographer and Cashier Warren.
Miss Mary V. Marsh Bookkeeper and File Clerk Sampson.
A. H. Yearby License Clerk -—Wake.
C. C. Cherry Superintendent of Public Buildings Edgecombe.
L. H. Lumsden State Standard Keeper Wake.
Edmund B. Norvell —Enrolling Clerk . Cherokee.
E. M. Uzzell State Printer Wake.
CORPORATION COMMISSION.
Franklin McNeill Chairman . New Hanover.
Samuel L. Rogers Commissioner Macon.
E. C. Beddingfield Commissioner Wake.
Henry C. Brown Clerk Surry.
Stedman Thompson Clerk to Tax Commissioners Wake.
Miss E. G. Riddick Stenographer Gates.
North Carolina Labor Statistics.
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.
SUPREME COURT JUDGES.
Walter Clark Chief Justice Raleigh Wake.
Henry G. Connor Associate Justice Wilson Wilson.
Piatt D. Walker Associate Justice Charlotte Mecklenburg.
George H. Brown, Jr. Associate Justice Washington Beaufort.
William A. Hoke Associate Justice Lincolnton Lincoln.
Thomas S. Kenan Clerk Raleigh Wake.
J. L. Seawell Office Clerk Raleigh Wake.
Robert H. Bradley Marshal and Librarian Raleigh Wake.
S. W. Walker Jan. and Asst. Librarian--Raleigh Wake.
Robert C. Strong Reporter Raleigh Wake.
George W. Ward
Robert B. Peebles
Owen H. Guion
Charles M. Cooke
Oliver H. Allen
William R. Allen
Chatham Calhoun Lyon
Walter H. Neal
J. Crawford Biggs
Benjamin F. Long
Erastus D. Jones
James L. Webb
W. B. Councill
M. H. Justice
Frederick Moore
Garland S. Ferguson —
SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES.
—-Elizabeth City Pasquotank
---Jackson Northampton.
.—New Bern Craven.
—Louisburg Franklin.
-— Kinston Lenoir.
---Goldsboro Wayne.
—Elizabethtown Bladen.
---Laurinburg Scotland.
---Durham Durham.
—Statesville Iredell.
-—Winston Forsyth.
—-Shelby Cleveland.
—-Boone Watauga.
—-Rutherfordton Rutherford.
Asheville Buncombe.
—Waynesville Haywood.
Hallet S. Ward
John H. Kerr
Charles L. Abernethy
Charles C. Daniels
Rudolph Duffy
Armistead Jones
N. A. Sinclair
L. D. Robinson
Aubry L. Brooks
William C. Hammer --
S. p. Graves
Heriot Clarkson
Frank A. Linney
J. F. Spainhour
Mark W. Brown
Thad. D. Bryson
SOLICITORS.
-Washington Beaufort.
-Warrenton Warren.
-Beaufort Carteret.
-Wilson Wilson.
-Catherine Lake New Hanover.
-Raleigh Wake.
--Fayetteville Cumberland.
-Wadesboro Anson.
-Greensboro Guilford.
--Ashboro Randolph.
—Mount Airy Surry.
--Charlotte Mecklenburg.
--Boone Watauga.
—Morganton Burke.
—Asheville Buncombe.
^Bryson City Swain.
LAW RELATING TO CHILD LABOR.
The General AssemMy of North Carolina do enact:
Section 1. That no child under twelve years of age shall be employed or
worked in any factory or manufacturing establishment within this State:
Provided further, that after one thousand nine hundred and seven no child
between the ages of twelve and thirteen years of age shall be employed or
work in a factory except in apprenticeship capacity, and only then after
having attended school four months in the preceding twelve months.
Sec. 2. That not exceeding sixty-six hours shall constitute a week's work
in all factories and manufacturing establishments of this State. No person
under eighteen years of age shall be required to work in such factories or
establishments a longer period than sixty-six hours in one week : Provided,
that this section shall not apply to engineers, firemen, machinists, superin-tendents,
overseers, section and yard hands, office men, watchmen or repairers
of breakdowns.
Sec. 3. All parents, or persons standing in relation of parent, upon hiring
their children to any factory or manufacturing establishment, shall furnish
such establishment a written statement of the age of such child or children
being so hired, and certificate as to school attendance ; and any parent, or
person standing in the relation of parent to such child or children, who shall
in such written statement misstate the age of such child or children being
so employed, or their school attendance, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor,
and upon conviction shall be punished at the discretion of the Court. Any
mill-owner, superintendent or manufacturing establishment, who shall know-ingly
or willfully violate the provisions of this act shall be guilty of a mis-demeanor
and upon conviction shall be punished at the discretion of the Court.
Sec 4. After one thousand nine hundred and seven no boy or girl under
fourteen years old shall work in a factory between the hours of eight P. M.
and five A. M.
Sec. 5. This act shall be in force from and after January first, one thousand
nine hundred and eight.
In the General Assembly read three times, and ratified this the 9th day of
March, A. D. 1907.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTEK I—CoNDiTioisr of Fakmees.
II
The Teades.
Ill
Miscellaneous Factories.
IV
—
Cotton, Woolen and Knitting Mills.
V
Furniture Factories.
VI
The State's ISTewspapers.
VII
Railroad Employees.
Bureaus of Labor.
CHAPTER I.
CO]NTDITIO]\^ or FAKMERS.
Xorth Carolina still maintains the long-established reputation ac-corded
to it as one of the leading agricultural States of the South.
Advices received from the various counties of the State indicate rapid
advancement and unquestioned predominant interest among the farm-ers
in every section. The great diversity of products continues to
serve as a safeguard to the State, and fortunate is the energetic farmer
whose efforts during the growing season permit him to harvest an
abundant crop of each variety adapted to North Carolina soil. The
growing season in this State is, fortunately, of sufficient leng-th to per-mit
the raising of double crops, for land that yields a goodly crop of
"small" gTain during the months of June and July may again later
in the year bring forth a nice supply of late corn or vegetables of
various kinds.
Fertility of land is reported well maintained in ninety of the
ninety-eight counties, and improved lands are in a higher state of
cultivation than ever before. The farmers report that want of desira-ble
labor has been a serious check to progress on the farm for several
years, and this condition has brought about the apparent necessity of
reduced acreage in improved lands. The gradual exodus of people
from the farms to the towns has almost depopulated some sections of
the State, and this fact is largely responsible for the growing ten-dency
toward smaller farms in so many of the counties, and caused
the unprecedented advance in agricultural products. Every county
reports labor scarce and, in many instances, unreliable.
The subject of desirable immigration is attracting widespread
attention, and the farmers of more than half the counties put them-selves
on record in favor of securing the better classes of foreign labor.
Improved methods of farming are also being introduced in a large
measure, and the demand for labor-saving machinery has become more
noticeable during recent years than at any former period in the State's
history. Earming has, indeed, come to be more "respectable" and
remunerative, and conditions in the rural communities to-day have
charms that are "lending enchantment" to the events of daily life
around thousands of magnificent country homes established by the
industry and perseverance of the honest sons of toil. Emit growing,
dairying and stock raising have come to be profitable sources of reve-nue
to the farmer, and it is gTatifying to note improved conditions in
every other branch of agriculture throughout the length and breadth
of the State.
The tables following represent the deductions drawn from return
blanks sent to a number of farmers in each county of the State
:
10 iN^ORTH Carolina Labor Statistics.
Average Table No. 1
—
SJiotving Condition Farm Land and Labor, Ijy Counties.
County.
Alamance. .
.
Alexander .
.
Alleghany. .
.
Anson
Ashe
Beaufort. . .
.
Bertie
Bladen
Brunswick.
.
Buncombe.
.
Burke
Cabarrus. . .
Caldwell
Camden
Carteret
Caswell
Catawba
Chatham. . ..
Cherokee
Chowan
Clay
Cleveland
Columbus
Craven
Cumberland.
Currituck. . . ,
Dare
Davidson. . .
,
Davie*
Duplin
Durham
Edgecombe.
.
Forsyth
Franklin
Gaston
Value of Land,
Increased or
Decreased?
increased
.
increased
increased
.
inci eased,
increased
increased
.
increased
increased
increased
increased
.
increased
.
increased
increased
.
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased,
^increased,
increased
increased
increased,
increased
.
increased
increased
increased
.
yes
.
yes .
yes .
yes
.
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes
.
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes .
yes .
yes .
no.
.
yes
yes
.
yes .
yes
yes .
yes .
yes .
no.
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
Tendency to
Larger or
Smaller
Farms?
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
larger .
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller,
smaller,
smaller,
smaller
smaller
smaller,
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller.
Labor Plenti-ful
or
Scarce?
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce,
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce
scarce,
scarce
scarce,
scarce
0.2
'p. 3
WP4
no yes
no no
no yes
no no
no yes
no. . ; .
.
yes ....
no no
no no
no no
no yes
no -yes ....
no yes ...
.
no no
no yes —
no yes ...
yes yes
no no
no no
no no ....
.
no yes ...
.
no yes ...
.
no no
no yes ...
no no
no yes ...
.
no yes ...
no no
no yes
no no
no yes
no yes —
no yes —
no no
no yes
*Failed to report; same as last year.
Condition of Faemeks. 11
Average Table No. 1
—
Continued.
County.
Value of Land,
Increased op
Decreased?
Tendency to
Larger or
Smaller
Farms?
Labor Plenti-ful
or
Scarce?
So
S.2
Gates
Graham
Granville
Greene
Guilford
Halifax
Harnett
Haywood
Henderson
Hertford
Hyde
Iredell
Jackson
Johnston
Jones
Lee
Lenoir.-
Lincoln
McDowell
Macon
Madison
Martin
Mecklenburg
Mitchell
Montgomery
Moore
Nash
New Hanover
Northampton
Onslow
Orange
Pamlico
Pasquotank
Pender
Perquimans
Person
tNo negro labor,
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
yes ,
yes ,
yes ,
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes
.
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
smaller
larger .
smaller
smaller,
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller,
smaller
smaller,
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller,
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller,
smaller
larger .
smaller,
smaller,
smaller
smaller
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce.
yes ,
yes .
yes ,
yes ,
yes .
yes
.
yes
,
yes
yes
yes .
yes ,
no.
.
yes. .
.
yes . .
.
yes .
no.
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
no.
no.
yes.
yes.
no.
yes.
no.
yes.
no.
yes.
yes.
yes.
no.
yes.
yes.
yes.
no.
yes.
yes.
no.
yes.
no.
yes.
yes.
yes.
yes.
no.
12 ISToETi-i Caeolhsta Labor Statistics.
Average Table No. 1
—
Continned.
County.
Pitt
Polk
Randolph
Richmond. .
.
Robeson . . .
Rockingham
.
Rowan
Rutherford.
.
Sampson
Scotland
Stanly
Stokes
Surry
Swain
Transylvania
Tyrrell
Union
Vance
Wake
Warren
Washington.
.
Watauga. . .
.
Wayne
Wilkes
Wilson
Yadkin
Yancey
Value of Land,
Increased or
Decreased?
increased
increased
increased
no
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
increased
yes ,
yes .
yes
,
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes
.
yes .
yes
.
yes
yes
yes .
yes
yes
yes
yes .
yes
.
yes
.
yes
yes.
yes
yes .
yes .
yes .
yes .
Tendency to
Larger or
Smaller
Farms?
Labor Plenti-ful
or
Scarce?
scarce,
scarce,
scarce.
smaller
smaller,
smaller
smaller i scarce
scarce
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller
smaller,
smaller
larger.
.
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce
.
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce,
scarce.
Be-yes
.
yes
.
yes
.
yes
no. .
.
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
no. .
.
no. .
.
yes ..
yes ..
no. .
.
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes.
no.
yes.
yes.
yes.
yes.
yes.
yes.
yes.
yes.
yes.
yes.
no.
no.
yes.
no.
no.
Condition of Faemees. 13
Average Table No. 2
—
Shoirinf/ Wages, Cost of Living, etc.
County.
Alamance yes .
.
Alexander yes .
.
Alleghany yes .
Anson yes ..
Ashe yes .
Beaufort yes .
.
Bertie yes .
.
Bladen yes .
Brunswick yes .
Buncombe yes .
Burke yes..
Cabarrus yes. .
Caldwell yes..
Camden yes .
Carteret yes ..
Caswell yes .
Catawba yes .
Chatham yes .
Cherokee i yes .
Wages.
^o^J
Highest
Paid
Men.
Chowan
Clay
Cleveland. .
.
Columbus. .
Craven
Cumberland.
Currituck. .
.
Dare
Davidson. .
Davie
Duplin
Durham. . .
Edgecombe
Forsyth
Franklin
Gaston
Gates
yes .
yes .,
yes .
yes
.
yes .,
yes .,
yes ..
yes
yes .
yes .,
yes ..
yes .,
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes .,
yes ..
30.63
28.25
22,88
23.25
26.93
26.20
25.00
24.05
23.50
26.00
28.27
25.55
25.35
23.75
32.50
17.63
19.00
21.50
23.75
20.40
23.07
22.88
19.50
26.00
24.13
23.50
28.42
23.67
19.50
28.60
26.00
23.50
32.67
15.00
25.10
20.50
Lowest
Paid
Men.
Highest
Paid
Women.
Lowest
Paid
Women.
Wages
Increased
or
Children. Decreased?
15.00
15.00
14.48
13.88
12.45
16.90
18,25
20.80
14,08
17,55
14.67
13,00
14,85
16,50
20.80
9,75 !
11,50
[
11,20 !
14.75
12,85
12.29
15,27
11,70
15.60
13.88
11.75
15.60
15.83
13.00
15.60
19,50
16,75
17,00
11.33
14,13
13,75
14,84
14.30
14,48
12,40
12.38
18,20
17,25
14,72
14,25
13,00
16,68
12,55
16,92
16,40
19,50
9,00
10,40
14.73
13.00
14.05
16.25
20.58
14.30
18.20
10,60
19,50
13,00
17,75
13.00
14.70
17.55
15,63
14,75
14.55
20,28
14,30
10,60
8,00
8,55
9,70
7,30
11,70
12,50
13,50
9,57
9.10
10.40
10,40
8,85
11,80
13.40
6,25
10,40
9,53
6,50
7.25
8.67
10,80
11.70
12.13
7.15
12.13
12.80
6.50
8,85
11,95
23.55
10.50
10,60
13.00
9,75
10,55
8,70
8.88
8,31
8,35
9,75
9.00
9,20
7.80
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
11,38 increased.
10.40 increased.
6.50 increased.
9.20 ' increased.
4,00 no.
12,35 increased.
7,80 . no.
11.70 increased.
8 . 13 increased.
9.50 increased.
9 . 18 increased.
8 . 80 increased.
12.93 increased.
8,45 increased.
11,70
I
increased.
6,65 no.
10.58 increased.
13.00 , no.
11.83
9.10
7.65
9.10
11,20
9,75
10,00
10,93
11,70
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
li ^OETii Cakolhsta Labok Statistics.
Average Table No 2
—
Continued.
Wages.
Wages
Increased
or
Decreased?
County.
Highest
Paid
Men.
Lowest
Paid
Men.
Highest
Paid
Women.
Lowest
Paid
Women.
Children.
yes —
yes —
yes
yes ....
yes —
yes —
yes ....
yes ....
yes ....
yes ...
.
yes. . . .
yes ...
yes
yes —
yes ...
.
yes —
yes —
yes —
yes ....
yes
yes —
yes
yes —
yes
yes —
yes
yes —
yes —
yes ...
.
yes —
yes —
yes —
no
yes —
yes.. .
yes . .
.
yes . .
.
% 35.75
19.17
27.00
19.67
24.00
23.83
26.81
23.25
20.00
22.10
34.50
36.50
24.14
22.75
26.00
28.17
27.50
35.50
30.33
30.00
24.88
23.50
34.20
25.33
26.33
27.70
26.00
24.30
23.73
18.88
29.25
24.50
18.00
31.67
18.33
27.69
28.33
$ 19.50
^ 12.50
14.75
12.87
15.83
14.30
16.83
15.80
13.75
16.90
11.30
22.10
14.80
16.90
16.83
15.17
18.38
21.83
17.33
16.70
15.20
15.23
22.90
11.80
16.47
15.83
19.50
18.60
13.98
13.17
16.25
16.50
12.00
25.67
9.00
14.35
' 15.83
1 15.17
12.18
18.00
14.30
17.00
17.33
13.87
13.65
14.30
16.90
16.25
19.50
13.80
16.25
15.33
16.47
20.00
12.90
15.17
19.50
14.17
16.52
18.15
14.55
16.25
13.50
16.25
18.62
16.25
13.17
22.10
14.00
11.70
19.50
11.33
16.60
12.90
$ 9.97
9.35
9.50
9.10
10.27
10.83
7.37
7.90
10.10
10.40
9.00
11.38
9.15
11.70
14.00
10.40
13.73
8.90
8.23
11.70
10.40
10.85
11.80
9.97
10.08
7.73
11.70
12.88
8.45
7.83
16.90
12.50
11.70
13.80
6.10
9.70
8.63
$ 8.13 ! increased.
9 , 23 increased.
9.50 increased.
Guilford
Halifax-
8.13 increased.
9.93 no. .
10.27 increased.
Haywood
Henderson
Hertford
Hvde
7.48 increased.
8.25 increased.
11.70 increased.
10.40 increased.
Iredell
Jackson
7.13 increased.
11.38 increased.
9.68 increased.
Jones
Lee
10.08 increased.
8.28 increased.
8.12 increased.
17 . 88 increased.
McDowell 8 . 18 increased.
9.97
7.48 :
7.80
12.00
10.03
8.67
11.27
11.00
9.75
13.13
9.10
6.05
13.65
1 7.50
5.75
14.63
5.67
9.15
' 7.00
increased.
increased.
Martin increased.
increased.
Mitchell increased.
increased.
increased.
increased.
New Hanover increased,
increased.
increased.
increased.
increased.
increased.
increased.
increased.
increased.
Pitt
Poik
increased,
increased.
Condition of Fabmees. 15
Average Table No. 2
—
Continued.
County.
Randolph
Richmond . .
.
Robeson
Rockingham.
Rowan
Rutherford...
Sampson
Scotland
Stanly
Stokes
Surry
Swain
Transylvania
Tyrrell
Union
Vance
Wake
Warren
Washington.
Watauga
Wayne
Wilkes
Wilson
Yadkin
Yancey
iJOnJ
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes.,
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes. .
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
yes ..
Wages.
Highest
Paid
Men.
25.50
18.00
21.33
22.88
27.38
24.80
26.38
22.13
24.80
28.58
27.50
26.00
27.30
28.17
17.50
16.17
32.50
19.33
19.75
32.50
20.50
27.73
20.25
23.57
26.00
Lowest
Paid
Men.
15.17
13.00
14.17
15.40
16.10
15.97
16.25
14.90
15.88
14.25
16.48
21.83
17.95
17.33
12.05
10.00
23.00
9.92
13.50
13.00
13.50
15.60
12.13
12.65
13.00
Highest
Paid
Women.
Lowest
Paid
Women.
Wages
Increased
Children. Decreased?
19.50
12.55
15.50
13.70
19.50
14.70
15.60
13.40
17.67
14.30
12.63
17.50
13.52
16.90
12.87
13.47
24.70
11.00
14.30
18.75
13.45
17.98
15.38
13.61
16.25
7.37 S 6.93
10.00 8.00
12.20 10.57
13.55 10.37
12.13 10.40
9.17 8.13
10.73 10 40
10.50 10.50
12.10 8.80
8.28 8.18
7.40 10.53
9.17 9.53
6.72 8.85
12.35 9.97
8.00 9.03
6.40 8.45
14.30 12..38
6.50 6.00
13.00 10.40
8.13 6.50
7.20 4.00
9.75 9.10
9.13 8.80
6.76 6.95
11.70 9.75
increased,
no.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
ncreased.
16 IN'oKTH Carolina Labor Statistics.
AvEKAGE Table No. 3
—
Shoiciiig Cost of Production.
Cost to Produce.
County.
500-Pound
Bale Cotton.
Bushel
Wheat.
Bushel
Corn.
Bushel
Oats.
100
Pounds
Tobacco.
Alamance $ 39.38
38.00
$ .88
.75
.87
.95
.81
.75
$ .63
.45
.65
.56
.57
.30
.50
.63
.48
.35
.49
.63
.51
.40
.40
.38
.50
.35
.63
.38
.52
.46
.65
.30
.50
.38
.80
.47
.40
.56
.55
.32
.63
.57
.63
.45
$ .46
.30
.35
.38
.28
.20
$ 8.63
Alexander '. 5 50
Alleghany
36.25
10.00
25.00
37.50
34.00
26.25
Bertie
Bladen .40
.34
.27
.30
.70
.32
.50
Brunswick .40
.70
.74
1.00
.81
7 00
Burke 33.33
30.00
32.50
25.00
35.00
7.50
Caldwell 6 67
Camden
Caswell .65
.75
.40
.88
.31
.40
.28
.45
.29
.36
.38
.30
.20
.33
.20
6 76
41.00
25.51
Chowan 38.33
Clay .88
.75
.75
.40
.60
17 50
20.92
39.25
25.50
32.50
31.50
5 00
5 00
Cumberland
Currituck
Dare
31.00
30.00
32.25
45.00
33.33
.65
.50
.80
.73
.57
.87
.92
.90
.32
.25
.33
.43
.30
.43
.38
.41
.25
6 50
Davie." - : S 00
Duplin 7 25
8 50
6 67
Forsyth 6 10
Franklin 35.00
36.00
40.00
7 67
Gates
Condition of Fahmeks, 17
Average Table No. 3
—
Continued.
Cost to Produce.
County.
500-Pound
Bale Cotton.
Bushel
Wheat.
Bushel
Corn.
Bushel
Oats.
100
Pounds
Tobacco.
$ $ .68
.71
$ .47
.58
.75
.45
.58
.55
.53
.52
.50
.40
.43
.71
.65
.40
.60
.45
.63
.48
.62
.36
.30
.50
.74
.38
.65
.82
.50
.45
.48
.63
.45
.43
.40
.40
.50
.45
.48
S .23
.32
8 10.00
25.00 7 75
Greene 30.00 8 00
Guilford .70
.80
.75
.68
.73
.30
.45
.43
.30
.33
6 00
Halifax 41.67
35.00
8 00
Harnett
Haywood
5 00
Hertford 35.00
40.00
28.50
Hyde .40
.65
.89
.87
.25
.40
.56
.47
Iredell 5 00
Jackson
41.39
30.50
40.83
33.33
40.00
8.92
Jones 8 00
Lee .93
1.00
.88
.83
.82
.59
.43
.29
.40
.42
.38
.25
6.00
Lincoln
McDowell
9 00
Madison 8 00
Martin 37.50
43.00
7 33
Mecklenburg .71
.88
.68
.83
1.00
.36
.51
.28
.37
.52
Mitchell 6 00
Montgomery 31.00
44.17
40.43
Moore
Nash 8.50
New Hanover •
Northampton 34.00
38.75
.60
.50
.73
.36
.40
.39
.60
.27
7.33
Orange 6.88
Pamlico 40.00
30.50
18.00
33.33
Pasquotank
Pender
Perquimans .28
.35
.33
.30
Person .67
.85
.87
9.33
Pitt 35.50 6.69
Polk 37.50
18 ISToETH Carolina Labor Statistics.
AvEEAGE Table Xo. 3
—
Continued.
Randolph
Richmond. .
.
Robeson
Rockingham.
Rowan
Rutherford. ..
Sampson
Scotland
Stanly
Stokes
Surry
Swain
Transylvania.
Tyrrell
L'nion
Vance
Wake
Warren
Washington.
.
ATatauga
Wayne
Wilkes
Wilson
Yadkin
Yancey
County.
500-Pound
Bale Cotton.
30.75
39.33
47:50
30.97
35.83
32.67
39.20
33.63
34.00
35.00
35.25
31.17
25.00
36.25
34.38
50.00
Cost to Produce.
Bushel
Wheat.
Bushel
Corn.
Bushel
Oats.
100
Pounds
Tobacco.
18.00
6.00
8.60
6.83
7.70
7.67
10.00
13.50
7.00
7.50
7.50
6.50
7.00
6.83
9.30
Condition of Faemees. 19
Alamance. .
Alexander.
Alleghany.
Anson
Ashe
Beaufort. .
.
Bertie
Bladen. . .
.
Brunswick.
Buncombe.
Burke
Cabarrus. .
.
Caldwell. .
.
Camden. . .
Carteret. .
.
Caswell. . .
Catawba . .
.
Chatham.
.
Cherokee.
.
Chowan. .
Clay
Cleveland
Columbus
Craven
Cumberland.
Currituck. .
.
Dare
Da-\adson. .
.
Da^^e
Duplin
Durham. . .
.
Edgecombe
.
Forsyth
Franklin
Gaston
Gates
Average Table No. 4
—
Showing Market Price of Crops.
County.
Present Market Price.
500-Pound
Bale Cotton.
64.38
65.42
60.50
58.13
63.75
61.25
60.63
64.17
62.50
55.00
68.75
55.00
75.00
67.25
60.42
65.14
60.00
63.13
60.00
65.00
65.83
57.50
61.10
66.25
60.00
Bushel
Wheat.
65.00
66.48
65.00
.93
1.00
1.00
1.00
Bushel
Corn.
.93
.93
.95
1.05
.90
1.00
1.00
1.00
.97
1.00
.82
.90
.93
1.00
1.00
.95
.96
.93
1.17
1.07
Bushel
Oats.
.60
100
Pounds
Tobacco.
.54
.40
.60
.58
.60
.50
.57
.62
.45
11.31
7.00
12.50
7.50
11.67
13.00
9.50
21.67
8.00
10.00
8.17
6.00
9.75
10.00
9.00
10.50
8.00
20 JSToKTH Cakolina Laboe. Statistics.
Average Table No. -Continued.
Present Market Price.
County.
500-Pound
Bale Cotton.
Bushel
meat.
Bushel
Corn.
Bushel
Oats.
100
Pounds
Tobacco.
$ % 1.08
.94
$ 1.08 $ .50
.55
$ 18.75
68.75
67.50
1
1
1
.83
.85
.80
.81
.93
.80
.92
.95
.80
.93
.98
92
85
87
87
95
85
00
00
77
86
00
90
95
93
80
86
89
83
90
70
80
65
72
91
97
9.00
9.00
Guilford .80
1.00
1.00
.93
1.01
.50
.62
.56
.48
.55
7.50
Halifax 63.17
60.00
10.00
25.00
Hertford . 63.75
65.00
67.50
Hyde .80
.80
1.00
1.05
.50
.55
.61
.62
Iredell 10.00
63.29
57.00
67.50
60.00
67.50
9.93
10.00
.98
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
.98
.62
.60
.68
.58
.67
.50
Lenoir 8.67
McDowell. ..
21.67
8.50
57.50
67.75
8.67
.92
1.03
.95
.97
1.00
.61
.65
.55
.58
.63
Mitchell 6.00
66.25
66.25
65.00 8.63
63.50
61.88
1.05
1.00
.88
.58
.50
.59
.75
.48
9.00
9.67
57.50
67.50
65.13
64.17 .53
.55
• .63
.53
.95
• 92
.97
10.67
Pitt 60.78
58.75
9.00
Polk
Condition of Fakmers. 21
Average Table No. 4
—
Continued.
Present Market Price.
County.
500-Pound
Bale Cotton.
Bushel
Wheat.
Bushel
Corn.
Bushel
Oats.
100
Pounds
Tobacco.
$ S .91
.90
$ 88 $ .58
.60
.57
.55
.52
.61
.65
.63
.56
.52
.55
.68
.55
.57
.59
.60
.55
.60
$
67.50
65.66
1
1
1
85
83
80
89
94
83
86
86
88
85
00
92
81
88
80
85
83
65
05
88
85
85
87
nn
29.00
8.00
.96
.90
1.00
1.00
1.10
.92
.91
.93
1.03
1.03
9.00
64.17
61.50
58.44
59.06
67.00
8.67
7.50
9.00
18.75
17.50
Tyrrell 60.42
67.50
56.25
65.25
66.45
60.00
.93
1.25
.95
.98
7.50
•
8.00
9.00
1.05
.93
.96
1.03
.87
1.23
.50
.60
.54
.63
.56
.43
62.50 9.00
Wilkes 10.00
65.94
50.00
8.50
Yadkin 8.20
22. JSToETH Caeolijn'a Labor Statistics.
Average Table No. 5
—
Slwiviiif/ Cost,
County.
Cotton.
;
Wheat.
Cost. Price. Profit. Cost. Price. Profit.
$ 39.38
38.00
$ 64.38
65.42
$ 25.00
27.42
S .88
.75
.87
.95
.81
.75
$ .88
.93
1.00
.98
1.00
1.00
$
.18
.13
36.25 60.50 24.25 i .23
.03
25.00
37.50
34.00
26.25
58.13
63.75
61.25
60.63
33.13
26.25
27.25
34.38
.25
Bertie
Biaden
.40
.70
.74
1.00
.81
.90
.93
.93
.95
1.05
.50
.23
Burke 33.33
30.00
32.50
25.00
35.00
64.17
62.50
55.00
68.75
55.00
30.84
32.50
22.50
43.75
20.00
.19
*.05
Caldwell .24
.65
.75
.40
.88
.90
1.00
.89
1.00
.25
41.00
25.51
75.00
67.25
34.00
41.74
.25
.49
.12
38.33 60.42 22.09
Clay .88
.75
.75
.40
.60
1.00
.97
1.00
.82
.90
.12
20.92
39.25
25.50
32.50
31.50
65.14
60.00
63.13
60.00
65.00
44.22
30.75
37.63
27.50
33.50
.22
.25
.42
.30
31.00
30.00
32.25
45.00
33.33
65.83
57.50
61.10
66.25
60.00
34.83
27.50
28.85
21.25
26.67
.65
.50
.80
.73
.57
.87
.92
.90
.93
1.00
1.00
.95
.96
.93
1.17
1.07
.28
.50
Duplin ., .20
.22
Forsyth
.39
.06
35.00
36.00
40.00
65.00
66.48
65.00
30.00
30.48
25.00
.25
.17
Gates
Graham .68 ' 1.08 .40
*Loss.
Condition of Eaemeks. 23
Price and Profit on Products, l)y Counties.
Corn. Oats. Tobacco.
Cost. Price. Profit. Cost. Price. Profit. Cost. Price. Profit.
$ .63 S ,81 $ .18 8 .46 $ .56 $ .10 S 8.63 $ 11.31 $ 2.68
.45 .88 .43 .30 .53 .23 5.50 7.00 1.50
65 1.00
.86
.35
.30
.35
.38
.50
.73
.15
.56 .35
.57 1.01 .44 .28 .52 .24 10.00 12.50 2.50
.30 .75
.80
.83
.76
.45
.30
.20
.28
.20 .53 .31
50
63 .40
.34
.65
.52
.25
.48 .18 7.00 7.50 .50
.35 .88
.92
.53
.43
.27
.30
.48
.59
.21
.49 .29 7.50 11.67 4,17
63 .80
.93
.17
.42
.70
.32
.70
.51 .60 .28 6.67 13.00 5.33
. .40 .73
.80
.80
.33
.40
.42
.50 .60 .10
.40
.38 .31 , .54 .23 6.76 9.50 2,74
.50 1.00
.88
1.00
.72
.95
.50
.53
.37
.34
.43
.40
.28
.45
.29
.36
.60
.63
.50
.47
.48
.20
. .35
.05
.18
.12
.35
.63
.38
.52 17.50 21.67 4,17
.46 .85
.75
.39
.10
.38
.30
.58
.60
.20
.65 .30 5.00 8.00 3.00
.30 .80 .50 .20 .55 .35 5.00 10.00 5.00
.50 .87
.85
.85
.80
.37
.47
.05
.33
.33
.20
.62
.58
.29
.38 .38
.80
.47 .32 .54 .22 6.50 8.17 1.67
.40 .75 .35 .25 .40 .15 8.00 6.00 *2,00
.56 .90 .34 .33 .60 .27 7.25 9,75 2,50
.55 .85 .30 .43 .58 .15 8.50 10,00 1,50
.32 .80 .48 .30 .60 .30 6.67 9.00 2,33
.63 .83 .20 .43 .50 .07 6.10 10.50 4,40
.57 .90 .33 .38 .57 .19 7,67 8.00 .33
.63 .96
.80
1.08
.33
.35
.61
.41
.25
.23
.62
.45
.50
.21
.20
.27
.45
.47 10.00 18.75 8.75
24 ISToETH Caeolina Laboe Statistics.
Average Table
Cotton. Wheat.
Cost. Price. Profit. Cost. Price. Profit.
$ 25.00
30.00
$ 68.75
67.50
$ 43.75
37.50
$ .71 $ .94 $ 23
Greene
Guilford .70
.80
.75
.68
.73
.80
1.00
1.00
.93
1.01
.10
Halifax
Harnett
41.67
35.00
63.17
60.00
21.50
25.00
.20
.25
.25
.28
Hertford 35.00
40.00
28.50
63.75
65.00
67.50
28.75
25.00
39.00
Hyde .40
.65
.89
.87
.80
.80
1.00
1.05
.40
Iredell 15
11
41.39
30.50
40.83
33.33
40.00
63.29
57.00
67.50
60.00
67.50
21.90
26.50
26.67
26.67
27.50
.18
Jones
.93
1.00
.88
.83
.82
.59
.98
1.00
1.00
1.00
1.00
.98
.05
Lenoir
.12
.17
.18
.39
37,50
43.00
57.50
67.75
20.00
24.75 .71
.88
.68
.83
1.00
.92
1.03
.95
.97
1.00
.21
Mitchell .15
31.00
44.17
40.43
66.25
66.25
65.00
35.25
22.08
24.57
.27
.14
34.00
38.75
63.50
61.88
29.50
23.13
.60
.50
.73
1.05
1.00
.88
.45
.50
.15
40.00
30.50
18.00
33.33
57.50
67.50
65.13
64.17
17.50
37.00
49.13
30.84
.67
.85
.87
.60
.50
.95
.92
.97
.91
.90
.28
Pitt 35.50
37.50
60.78
58.75
25.28
21.25
.07
Polk .10
.31
Hichmond 30.75 67.50 36.75 .40
Conditio!^ of Faemeks. 25
No. 5
—
Continued.
Corn. Oats. Tobacco.
Cost. Price. Profit. Cost. Price. Profit. Cost. Price. Profit.
$ .58 $ .83 $ .25 $ .32 $ .55 $ .23 S 7.75 $ 9.00 $ 1.25
75 .85
.80
.10
.35
8.00
6.00
9.00
7.50
1,00
.45 .30 .50 .20 1,50
.58 .81 .23 .45 ,62 .17 ,8,00 10.00 2.00
.55 .93
.80
.92
.38
.27
.40
.43
.30
.33
.56
.48
.55
.13
.18
.22
.53
.52 5.00 25.00 20.00
.50 .95
.80
.93
.45
.40
.50
.40 .25
.40
.50
.55
.25
.43 .15 5.00 10.00 5.00
.71 .98
.92
.27
.27
.56
.47
.61
.62
.05
.65 .15 8.92 9.93 1.01
40 .85
.87
.87
.45
.27
.42
8.00 10.00 2 00
.60 .43
.29
.62
.60
.19
.45 .31 6.00 8,67 2.67
.63 .95
.85
1.00
.32
.37
.38
.40
.42
.38
.68
.58
.67
.28
.16
.29
.48
.62 9.00 21.67 12,67
.36 1.00 .64 .25 .50 .25 8.00 8.50 ,50
.30 .77
.86
1.00
.90
.95
.93
.47
.36
.26
.52
.30
.11
7.33 8.67 1 34
.50 .36
.51
.28
.37
.52
.61
.65
.55
.58
.63
.25
.14
.27
.21
.11
.74 6.00 6.00
.38
.65
.82 8.50 8.63 ^13
.50 .80
.86
.89
.30
.21
.41
.45 .36
.40
.58
.50
.22
.48 .10 7.33 9.00 1,67
.63 .83 .20 .39 .59 .20 6.88 9,67 2.79
.45 .90
.70
.80
.65
.72
.45
.27
.40
.25
.22
.60
.27
.75
.48
.15
.43 .21
.40
.40 .28
.35
.53
.55
.25
.50 .20 9.33 10,67 1.34
.45 .91 .46 .33 .63 .30 6.69 9.00 2.31
.48 .97
.88
.85
.49
.45
.36
.30
.28
.35
.53
.58
.60
.23
.30
.25
.43
.49 18.00 29.00 11.00
26 jSToeth Caeoliinta Labor Statistics.
AvEKAGE Table
Robeson
Rockingham.
,
Rowan
Rutherford, . .
Sampson
Scotland
Stanly
Stokes
Smry
Swain
Transylvania.
Tyrrell
Union
Vance
Wake
Warren
Washington .
.
Watauga
Wayne
Wilkes
Wilson
Yadkin
Yancey
Cotton.
Cost.
$ 39.33
47.50
30.97
35.83
32.67
39.20
33.63
34.00
35.00
35.25
31.17
25.00
Price. Profit.
S 65.66 $ 26.33
36.25
34.38
50.00
64.17 I 16.67
61.50
j
30.53
58.44 ! 22.61
59.06
]
26.39
67.00 27.80
60.42
67.50
56.25
65.25
66.45
60.00
62.50
65.94
50.00
26.79
33.50
21.25
30.00
35.28
35.00
Wheat.
Cost.
26.25
31.56
.91
.83
.75
.68
1.00
.78
.72
.77
.82
.75
1.00
Price.
.96
.90
1.00
1.00
1.10
.92
.91
.93
1.03
1.03
.93
1.25
.95
1.05
.93
,96
1.03
.87
1.23
Profit.
.05
.07
.25
.32
.10
.14
.19
.16
.21
.17
*Loss.
Co^STDITIOiSr OF FaPvMEES.
No. —Continued.
Corn. Oats. Tobacco.
Cost. Price. Profit. Cost. Price. Profit. Cost. Price. Profit.
S .53 $ .83 $ .30 $ .35 S .57 $ .22 $ 6.00 .? 8.00 $ 2.00
.56 .80 .24 .39 .55 .16 8.60 9.00 .40
.52
.51
.63
.89
.94
.83
.37
.43
.20
.40
.40
.48
.52
.61
.65
.12
.21
.17 6.83 8.67 1.84
.52
.59
.52
.86
.86
.88
.34
,27
.36
.43
.40
.39
.63
.56
.52
.20
.16
.13 7.70 7.50 *.20
.50 .85 .35 .35 .55 .20 7.67 9.00 1.33
.47 1.00 .53 .42 .68 .26 10.00 18.75 8.75
.60 .92 .32 .40 .55 .15 13.50 17.50 4.00
.43
.58
.60
.81
.88
.80
.38
.30
.20
.38
.40
.30
.57
.69
.60
.19
.19
.30 7.00 7.50 .50
.50 .85 .35 .25 .55 .30 7.50 8.00 .50
.47 .83 .36 .35 .60 .25 7.50 9.00 1.50
.50
.63
.50
.65
1.05
.88
.15
.42
.38
.38
.35
.50
.60
.12
.25 6.50 9.00 2.50
.61 .85 .24 .37 .54 .17 7.00 10.00 3.00
.50 .85 .35 .41 .63 .22 6.83 8.50 1.67
.56 .87 .31 .41 .56 .15 9.30 8.20 *1.10
.48 1.00 .52 .30 .43 .13
28 North Carolina Labor Statistics.
SUMMAEY.
Following will be found a general summary of the information
contained in the tables :
•*
Table Xo. 1 shows an increase in the value of land in ninety-seven
counties, and no increase in one. Fertility of land is reported main-tained
in ninety counties ; eight report that it is not. Five counties
report a tendency to have larger farms ; ninety-three, smaller. Every
county reports labor scarce. Xinety-six counties report negTo labor
unreliable ; one, reliable, and one, no negro labor. Fifty-two counties
favor immigration, and forty-six oppose it.
In Table 'No. 2 ninety-seven counties report increase in cost of liv-ing;
one rejDorts no increase. Highest average wages paid men,
$25.03, an increase of $3.32 per month over last year ; lowest, $15.32,
an increase of $2.23. Highest average wages paid women, $15.47,
an increase of $2.29 per month over last year; lowest, $10.23, an
increase of $1.58 over last year. Average wages of children, $9.39,
an increase of $1.38 per month over last year. ]^inety-two counties
report increase in wages, and six report no increase.
Table 'No. 3 shows that sixty-nine counties produce cotton at $34.57
IDcr bale of 500 pounds ; twenty-nine counties do not report. Seventy-eight
counties produce wheat at a cost of 76 cents per bushel; twenty
counties do not report wheat. Xinety-eight counties produce corn at
a cost of 51 cdnts per bushel. Eighty-eight counties produce oats at
36 cents per bushel; ten counties do not report oats. Fifty-one coun-ties
produce tobacco at $7.87 per 100 pounds; forty-seven counties do
not report.
Table No. 4 shows present market price of cotton, wheat, corn, oats
and tobacco.
Table iSTo. 5 shows cost of production, selling price and profit on
cotton, w^heat, corn, oats and tobacco, upon each of which, with few
exceptions, it will be noted that there is a substantial profit.
Following will be found letters expressive of the sentiment of the
farmers of various parts of the State relative to immigration, and
suggestions as to what they think would be beneficial to the laboring
classes
:
CoNDiTiois" OF Eakmers, 29
LETTERS FROM FARMERS.
Please make any suggestion relative to the needs of wage-earners,
and what, in yonr opinion, would benefit them. Especially would
I appreciate your views on immigration and the class of immi-grants
best suited to farm labor. H. B. Vabnee,
Commissioner.
ALAMANCE COUNTY.
Scarcity of Labor Preferable to Dangerous Fokeigners.—The question of
child labor is a great one. I think small children should not be allowed to
work in a cotton mill and support the family when the parents are well able
to work themselves. But sometimes very small children are the only means of
support. I don't see what we can do but let them go on as in the past. As to
wage-earners, they are prosperous and getting on splendidly. My opinion is.
that if they would stick to work at present prices they could all have homes of
their own. The question of immigration is hard to answer. We in this section
would rather be scarce of farm help than have a class of anarchists and tramps
come among us.—G. R. Stockard, Saxapahaiv.
Limit Child Labor and Restrict Immigration.—As to child labor, the laws
may be all right. To work children in factories should be limited. Experience
teaches that children confined at work in factories when young, and continu-ously,
as a common thing never make good, stout, laboring people, such as are
needed on the farm or at other outdoor work. Children should not be pro-hibited
by law from working out in open air. They should work when not in
school. Children should have knowledge of work early in life. Last, but not
least, educate the child. "Wage-earners need this knowledge. Put in good time
and hold your job ; no danger is feared. As to immigration, I am opposed to
such as we hear of sometimes, such as Italians, Turks, etc., who are always
making trouble with our American people. If we could get good, honest, indus-trious
immigrants, like the Germans and Scotch, we might be benefited thereby.
As labor is scarce, we need more laborers, but we need honest people, not crimi-nals.—
J. C. Whitesell, Burlington.
Wanted : Labor Law Enforced and Foreign Immigrants Who Will Become
Good Citizens.—The law of our State relating to child labor is all right, pro-vided
it is put in force, especially with the different manufacturers who still
employ children under age. The class of foreigners we need on the farms
especially are those of good morals and industrious, who will become citizens
and live among our people.—J. F. Homewood, Burlington.
Need More Laborers, but Not Compulsory Education.—I have just read
the child-labor law now in operation in our State, and think it very good
—
ISToETH Carolina Labor Statistics.
about all that could be enforced, as we have so many widows and homeless
people around our mills who must have the pay for their children's labor,
making it necessary that they be allowed to work. The law is very satisfac-tory
to our mill owners, who, by the way, are the best friends we have to edu-cation.
And our worthy superintendent of schools (W. S. Long) takes special
interest in seeing tliat children around the mills and the rural parts of the
county are provided for. I don't think, with these advantages, we need any
compulsory law. Wage-earners are doing very well in this part of the country.
They should sticli just a little closer and put just a little more of their earn-ings
in the savings bank. The scarcity of labor is having some good effects.
It compels the farmer to resort to the use of the best machinery, better prepare
his land, raise better grain and vegetables, which demand better prices. Again,
he is putting his surplus land in pasture. On nearly every farm we see a large
herd of cattle, when a few years ago it was lying idle. I don't think we can
get immigrants who would benefit us. We should take more interest in home
attractions and education, and keep every one of our boys at home.—J. G.
Clark, Snoto Camp.
ALEXANDER COUNTY.
Moralizing.—The Bible says the way the twig is bent the tree is inclined.
The way to make a boy a good worker is to put him at it as soon as possible.
Generally speaking, if a man is good to work he is moral, law-abiding, honest
and truthful. "An idle brain is the devil's workshop." Idleness and crime go
together. It is not often we see men who were raised to work in the jails and
State prisons. The farm is a great "moralizer." The slums of the towns fur-nish
houses of crime. These are the places where the children have nothing
to do. While I believe in compulsory education, it takes both education and
work to make a man. There is a mistaken idea that children must have great
indulgence to get an education. The great men of all ages were men who
worked at an early age. Clay, Webster, Jackson and other statesmen too
numerous to mention worked early in life. It takes pluck, energy and grit to
accomplish anything. I don't believe in making a slave of a child in the mills
or on the farms. Work the child in reason, and also send him to school. To
educate a boy who has been raised in idleness is to throw away money. There
is no place in the world for a lazy man. Enforce the vagrant law on those men
who work their children in the cotton mills, while they drink whiskey and lie
about and make their children support them. Wage-earners must render good
service to the man who wants their labor. Let them use economy, drink no
whiskey, and the wages will increase and we will need no immigrant labor
here. There are plenty of men in the State to work, if they will work. Stop
the sale of whiskey and the country is safe.—F. C. Gwathney, Taylorsville.
Scotch and German.—Some claim we have enough laborers. That may be,
but we cannot get them on the farms ; they are all going to the cotton and saw
mills. I would prefer Scotch or German, of good character.—W. H. Carson,
TctylorsviUc.
CoiN'DiTiox OF Farmers. 31
ALLEGHANY COUNTY.
Keep Y'our jNIen on the Farm.—We do not need any immigrants in tills
section. Wliat we need Is to manage to lieep our young men wlio annually
leave our section for the West and the public works. The greatest drawback
this section has is its distance from the railroad. We have no factories ; so
the child-labor law is not needed.—W. F. Doughtoiv". Laurel Springs.
Chaeactebistics of North Carolina People.—In my opinion, the child-labor
law now in operation in this State is fairly good. Putting the young child
under the influence of the immoralities connected with many of the manufac-turing
establishments of our country has a demoralizing effect, while in many
instances the labor itself is such as would hinder free and full physical develop-ment.
Wage-earners, as a rule, need to be better edvicated, so they will be bet-ter
prepared to do their work properly. Both landlord and tenant should
strive to build up a mutual relationship between each other that has for its
prime object a morally, religiously and flnancially elevating effect upon all our
people. In North Carolina is to be found a people possessing strong character,
profound mental ability, religious sentiment ; true, patriotic, liberty-loving and,
in the main, law-abiding—true types of American citizenship ; and any class of
immigrants whose character would have a tendency to lower bur people along
any of these lines is not needed among us.
—
George W. Miles, Miles.
Willing to Test It.—-Having had no experience at all with foreign laborers,
I am not in a position to offer advice as to the kind of immigrants we need.
We need a higher plane of education for the working class, and, while I cannot
say that I am in favor of compulsory education, still, if it would give us the
results we are after, I would be willing to try it at least. Having no cotton
mills or manufacturing plants of any kind in our section, the child-labor law
does not directly affect us. as in other sections of the State. However. I am in
favor of throwing all the safeguards possible around the youth of the land, for
just a little way in the future the responsibilities of citizenship fall upon their
shoulders, and it is then the fruits will be gathered. If the days of childhood
and youth have been spent in toiling in the mills, with no chance for an educa-tion,
we reap a dwarf, both in body and mind, entirely unqualified to discharge
the duties encountered.
—
Eugene Transon. Strafford.
ANSON COUNTY.
North Carolina Shovld Do Her Duty.—The child-labor law that we now
have seems to be sufficiently strict, if enforced honestly and efficiently. Chil-dren
from ten to sixteen should be in school five or six months every year.
Long hours in factories bring them to such a condition, physically and men-tally,
that, if kept up. will render them unable to meet the duties of later
years. What the conditions may be in other States is no excuse for North
Carolina's failure to do her duty. Her duty is plain. Let her take her place
as a leader in civilization and progress, and not be stumbling along in the rear
of the column, as she has been doing for a century and more. Our farmers
need and are demanding more and a better class of laborers. They need em-ployees
who are intelligent, skillful and steady. The negro does not measure
32 IsToRTH Caroli]s:a Labor Statistics.
up to these requirements. Moreover, he is rapidly leaving the farms for the
public works. The same class of immigrants who have made great empires of
the Northern and Western States should be invited to talie the negro's place.
Then ignorance will yield to intelligence, the dilapidated log cabin will be
replaced by neat houses, the scooter plow will soon become a relic of the be-nighted
past, and the barren hills and the swamps will blossom and fruit even
beyond the dreams of the most imaginative planter of the olden times. Cer-tainly
we need immigrants from the agricultural sections of the Old World.
We would invite them to come and make our land their land. As a rule, they
are careful- and successful farmers. They have been schooled in diligence and
economy ; they are moral and upright, quiet and inoffensive, temperate and
law-abiding. To class all immigrants as Dagos and ruffians displays only the
ignorance and bigotry of those who make such statements.^W. F. Humbert,
Polkton.
Satisfied with Negro Labor.—I prefer the negro to any labor we have or
can get. As for immigration, if we could get immigrants with some capital it
would be all right ; but with no capital, I prefer the negro. As for child labor,
I do not know what would become of them—at least some whose parents are
no good to themselves or their children—if the latter were not allowed to
work.—T. A. HoRNE, LilesvUle.
Labor Leaving the Farm.—I favor the child-labor law of North Carolina.
The children ought to be in school. The wage-earners need no more laws in
their favor. They now have the best end of the rope. They are contented and
prosperous, and work when they please. I favor immigrants only for public
works, such as construction of electric plants, railroads, sawmills, etc. We
prefer home labor for the farm, but thousands of the farm hands are now
employed on these public works at big prices, more than the farmer can pay.
All the able-bodied male labor has gone to these public works, leaving the
women and children on the farm. There are plenty of laborers in this country,
if they would only work on the farms. Germans make the best immigrants for
the farm, Italians for public works. Nothing equals the colored labor if we
could control it. Those who farm want stock of their own, and rent land for
"so much" cotton ; then they work when they please, and will not work any
other way.—J. A. Kendall, AnsonvUle.
Protect Health of Young Giels.—I think it highly essential to future pos-terity
that the child-labor law now on our statute books should be executed,
and that to the letter, for the cotton mill is no place for little girls, who should
be in school ; and I have come to the conclusion that the law should compel
parents and guardians to put in the public school all children from seven to
sixteen years of age. I don't thinli the law could do any more for the wage-earner,
as he is fully compensated for what he does ; and when they are
found to be industrious and reliable, there are twice as many places for them
as they can fill, and at remunerative wages. We don't want immigrants from
the scum and loitering trash of the Old World, but good people of our own
native country, seeking permanent homes and who will adapt themselves to our
conditions—that of being good, honest and industrious and moral citizens.—
J. W. Jones, Marsliville.
Condition of Fak:mers. 33
ASHE COUNTY.
Should Put in Full Time.—I favor the child-labor laws of North Carolina.
I am not able to say what immigrants would suit our State best ; should think
the Germans would be as good laborers as we could have. We need a class of
laborers who would want to put in more time than most of those we have in
this section of the State, as half the laborers with us do not want to put in
more than half their time.—W. T. Colvaed, Orion.
DuTi" of Wage-eaeneks.—So far as I am informed, I think the present child-labor
law is good. I think the wage-earner should better prepare himself for
his woi'k, to the extent of his opportunities and ability. Every person can learn
to do something well, and then he or she can earn more, demand more and
receive more. Let every wage-earner be willing to give in labor an equivalent
for the wages received, and always have in mind his employer's best interest,
and he will rarely, if ever, lack for profitable employment.—H. A. Eller,
Berlin.
Shoet School Terms and Abundance of Labor.—You will notice Ashe is
the northwestern county of the State, bordering on Virginia and Tennessee. It
is mostly hilly, although we have some valleys along the New Rrver which are
very fertile ; all our land is good for grass. As to child labor, we have no mills
of any description in our county, except one woolen mill. As we only have four
months' school, I. think it right and just that children should be employed in
helping their parents. I am for a compulsory school law. As to immigrants,
we don't need any in this mountain country.—Marshall Baker, Creston.
Better to Work than Play.—We do not need any immigrants in this
county, as there are plenty of people to do the farm work. If we had immi-grants
they would not be of any benefit to the farmer, in my opinion, as they
would work for lumbermen. In my opinion, child labor is all right where it
don't deprive them of school, but where they can be put in school I don't think
they ought to be deprived of it for what they can do or earn ; but where they
cannot be put in school all the time, they ought to be put to work, for, in my
opinion, it is better for them to be at work than to be idle.
—
Robey Roten, Sly.
A Word Concerning Honest Labor.—The regulation of child labor will. I
think, be beneficial to a great many children. While I am satisfied that under
the present statute quite a number of children have to do more work than they
should, there are quite a number who do less, as I believe that all children
should be taught to labor so far as to enable them to properly perform manual
labor, be they rich or poor ; and if such was the case it would do away to some
extent with the prejudice existing between capital and labor. My experience
has been that where the rich man's sous and daughters engaged in manual
labor the employees were ever ready to take hold and work as requested, and
I am sure there is no more honorable employment than honest manual labor.
Labor is what built this great Government, once a wilderness, but now made
to blossom as the rose. Without honest labor we cannot have continued pros-perity.
The wage-earner should .consider his vocation honorable, and sustain
his personality by doing honest service upon all occasions, which would give
regular employment with increase of wages, and a clear conscience, and the
34: • N^OKTH Carolina Labor Statistics.
employer should pay the wages agreed upon in cash and not otherwise. As to
immigration, we need but little, if a co-operative system was established upon
a basis satisfactory to capital and labor. America has built up as a business
nation, and it has the brain, bone and sinew to run it, with proper utility. In
case we have immigrants, let us have Germans, whose skill and energy have
made them our equals in many things.—W. J. Roberts, Gi~assy Creek.
BEAUFORT COUNTY.
Two Jobs for Every Willing Worker.—The present condition is bad, and
whether immigration would improve it or not is a question. There yet remain
two jobs for every willing worker for six days in the week, making the em-ployee
full master of the bad situation. If a class of immigrants could fill the
mills and give us the negro, we think that, for the present at least, the condi-tions
would be improved.—F. P. Latham, Belhaven.
BERTIE COUNTY.
Reliable Negro Laborers Are All Right.—The child-labor law does not
affect us in this section, as but few children are worked on the farms, except
by their parents. The wage-earner has all of his needs supplied, if he will just
work regularly, as he can get employment on the farms all the time and at good
wages. I don't know what to say about immigration, as we have never worked
any foreigners on the farms in this section. I think the negro is the best farm
hand, when you can get one that is reliable and who will work all the time
;
but the price of labor has increased until he can earn a living by working a
few days in a week, and he can't be induced to work any more, as most of them
seem to want nothing more than a bare living.—W. H. Smithwick, Windsor.
Development of Children and Class of Labor.—I am of the opinion that
children should be protected by law, especially when the work excludes them
from school and otherwise debars them from the enjoyment of the privileges
that tend to develop robust manhood and womanhood. We need a better class
of labor, and our people are willing to pay for it when found. I believe that a
certain class of immigrants would be of material benefit to this section. The
English, German or Scotch, in my opinion, would prove of inestimable value to
this section.—A. J. Smithwick, Woodard.
BLADEN COUNTY.
Suggestion to Employers.—In regard to child labor, will say that I think
our present law is very good, if carried out. As to wage-earners, I think the
employer should talk to the employees and insist upon their being prompt and
taking an interest in their work, so we may be more closely united. We can't
well do without the wage-earner, and let's try to set good examples for them
and try to make them better.—D. A. Butler, Bladenltoro.
Co]n:ditio2s" of Farmers. 35
Thinks Well of It.—I think well of the child-labox- law passed by the last
Legislature. I think the children should have the State's protection on this
line. As the parents of many a child give the condition and helplessness of
their children no thought, only to make brutal servants of them, and, there-fore,
cause them to grow up without educational advantages, they should have
to make them useful and progressive citizens.—T. J. Freeman, Blaclenhoro.
BRUNSWICK COUNTY.
Negroes Becoming More Unreliable.—The only child labor in my section is
the negro children, and they do a little work on farms, generally accompanied
by their mothers. Any immigrants that are industrious would be acceptable to
those who hire labor. The negroes are trifling and getting more unreliable
every day, and will leave you in the grass often to show their independence and
importance.—T. M. Moore. Phoenix.
Better "Go Slow."—I think the child-labor law in this State is about as
good as we could ask for at present. I am in favor of employers uniting and
paying their hands better prices and then expecting better service. It seems to
be a rule in our county, and especially among the negroes, for "poor pay, poor
service," and some won't work at good prices. In regard to immigrants, I
think we had better go slow, for fear we make a bad matter worse.
—
Elisha
Sellers, Sut)ply.
Opposed to Foreign Immigration.—The child-labor law is all right. I don't
believe in raising children up in idleness ; neither do I believe in raising them
in ignorance. As to child labor, I will say that a child should not be allowed
to go to public works until he reaches the age of fourteen. I will say children
should be kept in school from six years old until they are fourteen. Light
work during vacation will help them, if not kept at it too long M a time. I
think employment good for children, as well as grown people ; they will natu-rally
learn something as they grow up, and if their minds are cultivated into
usefulness they will not be so apt to grasp so many of the evils to which they
are so much exposed, such as whiskey drinking, cigarette smoking, card play-ing
and many other evils. I am in favor of all wage-earners doing their duty
and not beating time; then their employers will give them what is just and
right; also, to content themselves and stop running here and there to fina aia
easy job or to get more wages. They should set their wages and stick to their
employers. I am not in favor of foreign immigration, unless it is better than
any I have heretofore seen. We need a good class of labor to cultivate the
lands. If we had immigrants who were good workers and good morally, and
such as we could associate with, it would be all right, and if not. I don't
think it would be well for us.—E. L. Stanley, Shallotte.
Need Some Special Legislation.—Our section is sparsely settled and labor
scarce. We need more labor to develop our country, but if we can't get an
industrious, law-abiding people to settle up and develop the resources of our
section, perhaps we would be better ofC without them. If possible to obtain it,
we need legislation binding all contracting parties to promptly fill their obliga-tions
; then labor and pay would be more certain.—A. C. Meares, CalaJ)ash.
36 !N"oETH Carolina Labor Statistics.
Exclude the Indolent Foeeignee.—As to the child-labor law, I am not
posted enough to give an opinion on the subject, but I am inclined to believe
that if the parents would do more work themselves it w'ould be better for them.
As to wage-earners, it would benefit them most if they would be more prompt
in their work and try to do better work than most of them do. And if we could
have public-school laws that would give all an equal showing, it would better
their condition to some little extent. As to immigration, I do not favor it at
all. I think we have enough children coming on to settle up the country, and
I am not in favor of crowding them out with foreigners—the scum of other
nations. Let our fair country remain for our posterity. It was handed down
to us by our ancestors, and we should do likewise.-—C. C. Little, MaJcatoka.
Child-laeoe "Bugaboo."—The question of child labor in our section does not
receive any special attention, not being a manufacturing section, and the chil-dren
are worked by their parents. We are of the opinion that a large per cent,
of the "bugaboo" current in the press relative to the child-labor outrages is
caused by special representatives sent from and by Northern cotton-milling
sections and interests for the purpose of increasing the cost of cotton manu-facture
here, in order to make it impossible for us to compete with them. How-ever,
we believe there are outrages, and such should be regulated, but think it
will require to properly adjust the question expert legislation, the which, we
are sorry to say, does not always exist in our General Assembly, to our mind.
The question of immigration is a serious one. We in our section need a class
of labor that can be relied upon to do what it undertakes, and do it well
—
labor that will not stop work when they get a few days' rations or money
ahead ; in other words, a better class of labor.
—
Edwin W. Tayloe, Wmnaboiv.
BUNCOMBE COUNTY.
The Needs Aee Many as to Laboeees.—I am decidedly in favor of the child-labor
law. As to the needs of wage-earners, they are many, chief among which
is education, that they may become intelligent workers, the ignorant laborer
costing more than the very much higher-priced intelligent man; and, second,
the sympathy of the employer, which tends to make him grateful, honest and
reliable. Judging by what I have read of the different people who come to
America, I am inclined to prefer the German immigrants, but I am strongly in
favor of all vicious, diseased or ignorant classes being excluded. If we allow
any to come, let us have the very best.—C. P. Weavee, Alexander.
BURKE COUNTY.
Need Moee Waldenslans.—I don't think children under fourteen should
work in cotton factories. We have a colony of Waldensiaus in Burke from
northern Italy, and they are good, religious citizens, most of them working on
the farms. I think we need more of them. The negro is the best laborer for
all purposes we have tried, if he were reliable.—S. S. Hallybueton, Morganton.
Condition of Fakmeks. 37
Whiskey Should "Go."—We need some other things more than we need
immigrants. In the first place, we need a compulsory school law and a strict
prohibition law—one that will put whiskey out of the country. A little time
will do more to adjust labor on the farm now than anything else. The timber
is being cut very rapidly, and sawmills and public works will drift out of the
county and people will go back to farming. McDowell County has room for
some good immigrants—men who are able to buy farms and become true citi-zens
of the country.-—J. N. Telton, Bridgewater.
Should Be Moke Attentive.—The child-labor law is all right, if enforced.
Wage-earners need nothing but to go to work and stick to it, and stop moving
from place to place. Immigrants? We need more, but the very best, to take
the places of those people who have left the farms and gone to work in cotton
mills, etc.—^A. J. Cook, Hickory.
A]sr Injustice to Woeking People.—I am in favor of the child-labor law
now in force in this State. I am opposed to immigration. I think it would be
an injustice to our working people and would soon fill our country with a low-down
class of foreigners.—J. L. Mull, Connelly Springs..
Plenty of Wokk and "Good Pay."—I highly favor the child-labor law and
think it should be kept in force. As to wage-earners, so far as I can see, they
have plenty of work and good pay. The working people can boast of prosperity
on their part. I know of nothing that would better the condition of wage-earners,
as they have all they want to do, and at better pay than ever before.
As to immigration, I can't see that we need any.—J. E. Gaeeison, Morganton.
CABARRUS COUNTY.
Need of Smallee Disteicts.—I will say that I am in favor of the present
child-labor law, more compulsory education laws and a better system of
schools in smaller districts.—C. D. Baeeinger, Mount Pleasant.
Is Pleased with Negeo Labor.—I would rather have negro labor than to
have the foreigner, unless we could get the best and know it was the best.
We do not live in town and cannot say about the child labor, but think it
should be restricted.—W. G. Newell, Concord.
CALDWELL COUNTY.
CouNTBY Developing Rapidly Enough.—From what I have observed, foreign
immigration has caused a lot of trouble in the United States. I have always
been against it, and the longer I live the more I become opposed to it, for the
floating element is, as a rule, no good. We need not be in any hurry to develop
this country ; we are living fast enough, and our own people will soon need all
we have for their own special benefit, and we will have a good class of citizen-ship.
I don't like anarchism. Enforce the child-labor law and let the chaps
go to school.—A. G. CoEPENiNG, Lenoir.
38 N^OETH Carolina Labor Statistics.
Opposed to Child Labob and Immigration.—I for one am not in favor of
working children in cotton mills, under fourteen years of age, although they
work there from "frying size" on up, which, l' think, is very detrimental to
their health. Now-, as to immigrants, I think we have enough of our own
nationality to do our work, without any foreigners.—L. A. Fowler, Granite
Falls.
Teach Children to Work and Restrict Immigration.—I am in favor of
children being taught to work. Teach them industrious habits when out of
school. I do not think that we need any immigrants, but if we are to have
them, I think the English, Irish and German best.—J. A. Dula, Lenoir.
Thinks Labor Question will Soon be Settled Permanently.^—I favor the
law prohibiting children under twelve years of age from working in cotton
mills, and believe there should be a law passed in this State to compel parents
to send their children to school not less than four months in the year. I am
not in favor of immigration. I am sure, if present conditions continue very
long, the labor question will be settled permanently, for people in this country
are clearing their fields of stumps and stones and purchasing labor-saving
machinery as never before. I am utterly opposed to the crop sharer. First,
you must advance him rations, and in so doing you lose control of him to the
extent that he gets in your debt ; second, because he will not do anything in
the direction of permanent improvement ; neither, as a rule, will he do any-thing
to aid in maintaining the fertility of the soil.—P. B. Bush, Lenoir.
As to Indolent Parents.—As to child labor, if the parents have work at
home it is well enough to train children to work, so if they need to work they
will know how. But I do think it is an imposition on children to work as some
parents work them in cotton mills and public machine shops to support the
family, while the parents are loafing around and not working any. In such
cases there should be a law to compel those parents to support their families.
As to immigration, I do not favor it, as I do not think it would be of any
benefit to us, and, besides, I believe it would only be a stepping-stone to de-moralizing
the country.—W. p. May, Lenoir.
What We Need Most.—What I think we most need is to educate our boys
to stay at home and till the soil instead of going to towns and public works.
If we could once get them to see and know that the farmer is the backbone of
our country, and that educated farmers are the most successful, then I think
we would have plenty of farm labor instead of asking foreign immigrants,
who, in my opinion, would prove detrimental in a great degree to our coun-try,
and especially to its morals. One of the greatest curses that we as a
people have to contend with is intoxicants as a beverage. I believe if the
manufacture and sale of ardent spirits were blotted out of the United States
that we would be the happiest people on earth and would not need any immi-gration,
because our penitentiaries would to a great extent be emptied and the
hundreds and thousands of young men who are put in prison annually would
in all probability, or at least a majority of them, be good citizens. And I
think our next greatest need is compulsory education, as a large per cent, of
the children do not go to school on account of their parents, who do not care for
dwarfing the bright intellect that the Creator has given to every sane child.
Conditio:n' of Faemees. 39.
The law on child labor is good enough, were it enforced ; but, like many other
important laws, I think it falls far short of being carried out to the letter.
However, let us press the needs of our people to the front, hoping that in the
near future a brighter day will dawn.—A. E. Nelson, Patterson.
Prohibition and Compulsoey Education.—The child-labor law, as I under-stand
it, is not enforced in this State, though I think it ought to be. The
wage-earners seem to be prosperous in this section. I do not know that I could
suggest anything more than has already been done in a great measure by the
laws of the State, unless we have compulsory education and prohibition. The
class of immigrants most desirable for .this section is the farmer or those will-ing
to work the farm on shares. Immigrants of that class, I should say, are
badly needed all over the State.—G. W. Long, Lenoir.
CAMDEN COUNTY.
High "Wages a Detriment to the Negro.—I think the child-labor law all
right. The wage-earner needs no more protection than he already has. We
could get nearly as much again labor now if .wages were lower. If labor was
sixty cents per day the negro would have to work all the time to make a living,
but as it is now he can get a dollar per day; so he will only work about one-half
his time, as he is not trying to lay up anything for the future. As to
immigrants, if we could get some who were industrious and wanted to make
something of themselves, they would be a Godsend.—O. G. Peitchaed, Belcross.
CASWELL COUNTY.
Better Off Without Immigrants.—As to child labor, I am not willing to
say what would be best. I am opposed to immigrants. I think we are better
off without them.-—J. C. Allison, Allison.
Would Peove Detrimental.—Immigration is not desired. I do not think we
would be benefited by any class of immigrants. In fact, I know the laboring
class would not. It would lower the price of labor, and the lower the labor the
lower the prices of farm produce.—L. L. Rasco, Jericlw.
No Cause for Complaint.—The laborer and landowner seem to be getting
along very well in this section. There is no labor that will take the place of
the negroes, where they are content and seem to be improving in morals. I do
not favor child labor; think the laws operative in this State very good; see
no cause for a law-abiding citizen to complain.—J. S. Eascoe, Union Ridge.
Send the Children to School and Induce Thrifty Class of Foeeignees
THIS Way.—Regarding child-labor law, will say, give the child the advantage
of school opportunities rather than close confinement in the factory or field,
at least until it is fourteen years of age. Could we import a good, honest,
thrifty class of immigrants, who would come willing to make permanent homes
on American soil, then I say let them come; but unless this can be done, we
had better try to bear the evils we now have, rather than encounter those we
know not of.—J. P. Haebison, Blanche.
40 ISToETH Carolina Labor Statistics.
CATAWBA COUNTY.
As TO Farm Machiweey.—I must say that I am very much opposed to chil-dren
working in the mills until they become eighteen or nineteen years old, for
I think it against their health, at least those who work at night. It would not
hurt them to work on the farm, where they could get plenty of fresh air and
sleep ; yet they get more for their labor than farmers can pay them, but they
never make the men they would make if they would stay on the farm. As to
immigrants, I must say that I do not know the kind that would do us most
good. I would not want a low class that we could not control and keep out of
crime. I should say men of families. We do not want men who will not
abide by and obey our laws. Better have none than those. I do not think that
we need very many of any kind, as we are equipping ourselves with machinery
to work our land with, and are cutting down the number of acres and making
good crops and not going over so much land. But if we have immigrants I
should say that the German or Irish would be best. We do not want any
more negroes.—C. M. Bueeus, Newton.
The Class Wanted.-—Germans would suit us best. We do not want the low-down
class that is giving trouble all over the country—worse almost than the
negro. I am opposed to compulsory education.—F. J. Dillingee, Conover.
CHATHAM COUNTY.
Need Immigeants.-—In regard to immigrants, it seems to me that, as much
unoccupied land as there is in this country, there is not anything else that
would help to build up the country more than a good agricultural class of
immigrants. Negro labor is all gradually drifting away from farm work and
to the towns. There are lots of people in this section who have land lying
out for the want of tenants. I have in mind now a farm that used to produce
thousands of bushels of grain and ought to have a force of from twenty to
thirty, and it has two or three hands on it and the balance lying idle. While
I am on the subject, I have a neighbor who has about 2,000 acres of land and
is only working a six-horse farm on all of it. We need to raise the stuft here
among us that our lands could produce, instead of having wheat, corn, oats, etc.,
shipped here nearly every week by the carload.—B. J. Utley, Moncare.
CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Timely Suggestions.—As to immigrants, my experience is, that if we could
get the best class of German farmers to buy up our rented lands and make a
success of farming, that would induce our people to greater activity and would
stop so many of them running off to public works. The negro in this county is
a "deadhead," so far as farming is concerned. The child-labor law is good, as
far as it goes, but would suggest that age limit be fifteen years, and not then
unless they could read and write intelligently. As to wage-earners, I think the
drink habit is their worst enemy. We ought to have prohibition that really
would prohibit. Make stringent laws for the ones that get drunk ; make it so
Condition of Farmers. 41
hot for them on the second offense that they will not want the third. The man
who gets drunk to-day causes the child of to-morrow to fall in the pit, and so
on to the last generation. Some wise man has said : "Intemperance cuts down
youth in its vigor, manhood in its strength, and age in its weakness ; it breaks
the father's heart, bereaves the doting mother, extinguishes natural affections,
erases conjugal love, blots out filial attachment, and brings down mourning age
in sorrow to the grave. It is the son of villainies, the father of all crime, the
mother of abomination, the devil's best friend and God's worst enemy." Until
we get a sober generation the farmer will not prosper as he should. These are
my strong sentiments.—J. A. Kimsey, MarNe.
"Laws a Plenty."—I think we have good laws and plenty of them for the
protection of wage-earners and children, too, if they are fully executed.—J. S.
Cartee, Andreivs.
CHOWAN COUNTY.
Conditions in Chowan.—This part of Chowan County is "booming." We
have small farms, start early and work late, keep plows and cultivators all
running and the weeds and grass down ; do all our work and have no colored
people ; no women help, except picking cotton and peanuts. Schools are good,
and all the children go to the public schools. We need no immigrants.
—
^Elihu
Copeland, Tyner.
Wage-earneks Faking Well.—I think the child-labor law is a good thing.
The wage-earners are very well fixed. They get more for their work than they
ever did, and that is why they don't work regularly. I am not in a position to
say just what class of immigrants we need. We do not need any, if they are
going to work like the negro. My plan is to work few and manure high, and
hire no labor.—H. B. Jones, Tyner.
CLAY COUNTY.
Better Schools and More Comfortable Houses.—Think the children should
not work over six to eight hours per day and have better wages. As to wage-earners,
they need to be educated better in literature and on agriculture, and
then they could secure better wages, as a lot of them don't know how to work
profitably on the farms. We need better schools for our rural districts and
better houses for the pupils ; also, some of the children need books furnished
them, as they are too poor to buy them.—J. Y. A. Moore, HayesvlUe.
One Class Only is Needed.—Child labor is not employed to any great extent
and am unable to give a good opinion on the question. There is only one class
of immigrants to be desired in this country, and that is a class of splendid
farmers, such as the German, who would teach our farmers object lessons in
industry, economy, stock raising, etc. As a whole, the farmers need to raise
better stock, grow more grass, learn to rotate crops so as to improve their
lands without paying out all they make for worthless fertilizers ; raise all the
corn, wheat and hogs they need for home consumption, and keep their boys and
JSToRTH Carolina Laboe Statistics.
girls ou the farm, if possible ; then wages will be good, people will come from
the towns to the farms instead of going from the farms to the towns, and all
will be prosperous and happy.—J. A. Chambers, Hayesville.
A Sufficiency or Labor.—Don't need immigrants in Clay County. We have
all the laborers here needed.—L. H. McCluee, Twine.
CLEVELAND COUNTY.
Wise Legislation.—In the makeup of citizenship we need robust manhood
and womanhood. To secure this it is very important that the health of child-hood
should be carefully looked after. Our Legislature had the health and
education of the child in view when it enacted the child-labor law. I heartily
endorse this law. As to the question of immigration, I will say, if we can get
immigrants who are sufficiently intelligent to have a proper conception of what
a republican form of government is, by all means let them come, but no "cut-throats,"
if you please.—E. D. Dickson, Fallstou.
Keep Anarchists and Socialists Out.—I will say we don't need any more
foreigners of any class. We need more educational and religious training for
home folks. We don't ne.ed those people who count life as nothing. We want
to keep anarchists and socialists out.—J. M. Barber, Kings Mountain.
Few Laborers on tiie Farm.—I think the child-labor law is all right. The
children will get a better education. They should be taught to work, too, and
then there would not be so many idlers. I do not know anything to better
wage-earners' condition, as we don't have many on the farms nowadays. As
to immigrants, I am not in favor of them, for it is generally a rough set who
land. I saw some last winter in Alabama ; they did not look like they were fit
for anything.—J. H. Kestee, Kings Mountain.
SuGG^ESTS Settlement of Labor Peoblem.-—With the introduction of im-proved
farm machinery and the tendency to smaller farms, I seriously doubt
the advisability of foreign immigrants. We believe that the labor problem is
being and will be successfully solved on lines indicated above. We can see no
other way to get some people to send their children to school than to have a
compulsory school law. We believe in the child-labor law for the State.—J. M.
Ievin, Ellen'boro.
Suggestion to Congress.—I regard the child-labor law as a good one, and
advocate its rigid enforcement. As for immigration, I am decidedly opposed
to it, for the simple reason that, at the present rate of increase of population,
our country will soon be entirely settled, and, as a rule, the morals and religion
of foreign immigrants are not in harmony with ours. Therefore, I am opposed
to foreign immigration, and I would insist that our Congressmen enact laws
that will restrict it.—F. B. Weaver, Laiondale.
The Faemeks Oeganizing.—My view on the child-labor law is, that we need
to send the children to school more, instead of working them all the time on the
farm, so they will be better prepared to run the farms than we are. We are
getting our State organized as fast as we can, as farmers, so that we may get
Condition of Taemeks. -io
more pi'oflt out of farmiug iu the future than we have in the past. We, as
farmers, have been asleep long enough, and I am glad to say we are educating
ourselves to do better, and want to raise and educate our children to farm
work instead of other work, as they generally leave the farm just as soon as
they get an education. My opinion as to wage-earners is, that they can get good
wages now on farms if they only stick to it. The farm could be made to pay
just as any other work if the people would only stick together, and I think the
Farmers' Union will teach them to stick together in the near future. My views
on immigration in North Carolina are, that we don't need any class, as they
will give us more trouble in the future than profit. The immigrants are giving
trouble in some sections now ; so we want to keep them out.—W. F. Logan,
Kings Mountain.
Wants Good, Industrious Home-makers.—I think the child-labor law in
this State is generally satisfactory, and as to wage-earners I cannot suggest
anything. It seems that they have their own way. I am rather opposed to
immigration, unless we could get good, industrious home-makers, who would
take the place of the negroes. This would greatly benefit the country. The
negro is a curse, for the more he is paid the less he works.—G. F. Hambright,
Kings Mountain.
Displeased with Negro and Foreign Labor.—I do not know of any women
or children who work on the farms in my neighborhood, and but one man, and
he is about sixty years old and receives $10 per month and board. I would
rather my land lay out than to be worked by negroes and foreigners.—J. A.
Stewart, Kings Mountain.
Great Population Does Not Make a Great Nation.—Children under fifteen
years of age should not be permitted to work in cotton mills. Eight' hours is
long enough fof adults to work indoors. While the mills are a great benefit in
an industrial way, they are filling graves with consumptive victims. We need
no immigration. Life is becoming a greater struggle every year ; that is, com-petition
is sharper and more people will make it harder for our children to
live. A great population does not necessarily make a great nation. China and
India, with their teeming millions, are far behind all that goes to make a great
and progressive people.
—
Aveey G. Higgins, Belicood.
COLUMBUS COUNTY.
Farmers Should be Ambitious.—Will say that I highly favor the child-labor
law, rigidly enforced. I think our wage-earners have a fair chance and a
square deal—just do the work and they get their money—enough, too, to do
well, if taken care of. In regard to immigration, we need none, for we have
enough to manage our own country. All we need is for our people to quit hav-ing
such a hatred for work and take hold of the work on our farms with as
much interest, pride and ambition as the merchant or man of any other voca-tion
in life, and we can produce as much as will bring a paying price on the
market.^—G. W. Hill, Vineland.
44: ]^OB,TH Caeolijsta Labok Statistics.
CRAVEN COUNTY.
Lengthen School Teems, Rent the Farms and Attract Desirable Immi-grants.—
In regard to the child-labor law, I am not posted as to the full intent
of the law, but do not think the children under fourteen years should be
allowed to remain out of school for any reason except physical disability.
I think it would prove an advantage to the State and every community if
ways and means could be provided to furnish every township in North Caro-lina
with an eight-months school and pass compulsory laws to have all children
between the ages of eight and fourteen attend. In regard to the needs of wage-earners,
I have to say that, with present prices they receive for labor and the
vast amount of demand for it, the thing most needed by our class of labor,
which is principally negroes, is more energy, reliability and a desire to have
something more than daily necessities. When this class of labor was working
on farms and at the mills for fifty to sixty cents per day, they always worked
every day, from five and a half to six days every week, and were prompt and
much more reliable, and did better service in every way than at present. Now
they get a dollar on the farm and a dollar and a quarter to a dollar and a half
in timber woods and at the mills ; they only work about half the time and do
not give good service ; they work as if their employer were under obligations
to them and they were doing him a favor to work. This is especially so on
the farms. The immigration most needed is practical farmers from among the
Germans and Scotch. I believe, if practical farmers could be induced to settle
with us, that the plan I suggested last year (which is embodied in your report)
would prove of mutual advantage to both immigrants and the farmers of the
State. I would be glad to have two energetic, reliable and thrifty German or
Scotch farmers, with two or three boys large enough to work ; would be willing
to pay a dollar a day for the men and whatever the boys were worth, and give
each family a horse crop, separately, and allow him one-tenth of net results.
I do not approve of the tenant system, but if the right kind of families can be
secured I would rent them on shares. I am sure I could place from twenty-five
to fifty good farmers in my county, on either of the above propositions. I be-lieve
the labor question for the farmer will continue to grow worse as long as
we have to rely on the negro labor.—G. L. IIardison, Tlmrman.
Regarding Small Farms.—In our section there is very little child labor,
except on farms, and that helps them. As I have only a 30-acre farm and do
not have much of the trouble the larger farmers have with laborers, I feel sure
that more small farms would largely solve the labor question. There are
plenty of tenants who will work if the right arrangement is made. My plan is
to rent a family a few acres to tend, with a clear agreement that I have a
certain number of days each week for him to work with me. I furnish land,
team, half the fertilizer, and he does the work and we divide the profits. I get
a little from the plan and my tenant is saving something, and I get work when
I want it. I think the African is the best farm laborer we can get, if he has
the right guidance by his landlord.
—
Daniel Lane, TSleio Bern.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Children Work Too Young.—The child-labor law in this State meets my
views, except in some cases. I think they are admitted to public works too
Condition of Faemees. 45
young. I don't think they should be admitted under sixteen years, except
where there is no other way for support. As for immigration, I am opposed
to it in any class. We ^Yill surely do better without it.—M. P. Blue, Lohelia.
Negko Labor "The Limit."—I am in favor of attracting desirable immi-grants.
I don't want any Chinese, Italians or Syrians. Any good class of
people would do the country good. "We need people who would build up the
educational and religious conditions, and not those who would have a tendency
to pull down either. The negro is as bad as we can stand, and worse than we
ought to have to stand. There ought to be some way to improve his moral and
religious condition.—G. T. Simpson, Roseltoro.
Thbee Reasons.—First, the child would do well to stay as he now is.
Second, my opinion is, we do not need Immigration. Third, bring down the
price of lumber and stop so many sawmills, and that will bring down farm
labor. That is what we need most of all.
—
^Alex. Hales, Rosel>oro.
A Wholesome Law.—The child-labor law of the State is wholesome, but not
extensive enough. It ought to reach every department of industry. As regards
wage-earners, an education of economy, schools by competent teachers, a branch
of economy in every public school. As regards immigration, nothing but an
intelligent system, with enough education to do common business. I could not
say as to nationality. The negro will not do for the uprising methods of im-proved
farming, for the want of attentiveness.—M. H. Bullaed, Roseboro.
CURRITUCK COUNTY.
CoMPULsoEY School Law a Necessity.—We have no factories in this county,
hence no child labor. I am not opposed to child labor, provided it does not
interfere with education. Unless we have a law compelling parents to send
their children to school so many months each year, North Carolina will never
educate her people.—P. H. Flora, TuUs.
Behind in Schooling.—Our farms are small and we have all the labor we
need. We don't need any immigrants in our part of the county. I think wages
will go higher still. I am not favorable to child labor. I think children should
go to school, not work oh the farms and in factories. I would like to see a law
to compel parents to send their children to school, for our part of the county is
far behind in "schooling."
—
David Jones, Knott's Island.
DARE COUNTY.
Should be Rigidly Enforced.—I think the child-labor law is a good one. It
should be rigidly enforced. I don't think we need any foreign labor.—C. L.
Mann, East Lake.
DAVIDSON COUNTY.
No Further Legislation Needed.—In regard to child labor, I will say that
I think the present law should be very satisfactory to all of our people, and
46 isToRTH Carolina Labor StxVtistics.
should remain as it is, for a few years at least. As to the needs of wage-earners,
I will say that they have all the laws in their favor that are neces-sary,
and they should be more moral and economical. I am very much opposed
to immigration, unless it is of the best people.—J. W. Bowees, TliomasvlUe.
Have Plenty to "Fill the Bill."—I think the child-labor law is very good,
if obeyed. I am not in favor of immigration in this country. We have plenty
of men and women to do all the work if they were put at it. Teach them to do
all kinds of work. We have schools ; put them there. But some are too nice
and some are too lazy. Anyway, we have plenty to fill the bill.—J. W. Veach,
Tliomasville.
Enforce the Laws.—I think the laws now upon the statute books are ade-quate
to the needs of child labor. As to wage-earners, we think that a close
enforcement of the vagrancy laws would be beneficial to a great many. We
would add that wages for farm hands in this county have never been so high
as they are now. A. great many laborers on the farms are idle from one-half
to two-thirds of their time. Wages being so high, they can earn their bread by
one-half work. We think the class of immigrants most suitable are the Ger-mans.
We think any immigrants of a civil and industrious disposition would
be helpful, but no anarchists are needed.—-H. H. Hartley, Lexington.
DUPLIN COUNTY.
As TO Reduced Acreage.—I do not think children should work in factories
when they are so young—say not until they are fourteen. They will take
more pride in their work. Keep them at school until then. I do not believe in
immigration. There are enough people in this country to do the work. If they
would reduce the acreage on the farming business it would reduce the labor
and give the children all the time required to go to school.—D. C. Thigpen,
HaUsvUle.
A Pertinent Suggestion.—I am of the opinion that the best things for the
wage-earner or laboring class would be to dispense with the chattel mortgage,
and that blockade stills and "blind tigers" be put out of commission.—J. A.
Davis, HallsviUe.
"Make Them Americans or They will Unmake America."—Child labor on
the farm is all right for a part of the time, but not to the neglect of education.
Labor on the farm gives the child muscle and strength and lays the foundation
for healthy manhood and womanhood. Child labor in the factories is the
reverse of this. The child in the factory, shut vip from fresh air and sunlight,
is physically and mentally dwarfed, and beyond this is the spiritual and moral
death, coming in contact, as is generally the case, with immoral and vicious
children, who poison the character of the child who, with other surroundings,
would become a useful citizen. My opinion is that no boy or girl should be
allowed to work in a factory under twenty-one years of age ; then their charac-ters
are formed and they are able to stand against the temptations and the
wicked influences of their surroundings. Pass such a law, and you will have
many saved from prison and fewer in places of vice. I am in favor of the bet-
CoxDiTiox OF Faemees. 47
ter class of immigrants—German and Scotch ; but I am afraid to say I am in
favor of immigration at all, since a vast majority of those who come are not
law-abiding, but immoral and vicious. Those who come must become Ameri-cans.
Bishop E. B. Galloway, speaking of the brutalities of the Italians in and
near New Orleans, said : "This New Orleans Society of the Black Hand and the
atrocious crimes recently committed compel the Christian churches to consider
afresh our obligation to these people. . We must make them Christian Ameri-cans
or close our ports to their' immigrant ships. One of two things will surely
take place—we must make them Americans or they will unmake America."—
S. J. Veach, Wojsaw.
Labokeks Fake Well.—Labor is scarce, but we can get on very well. Wages
are high and laborers live well. I do not include house rent. Most of the
laborers live on their own land, or houses, wood and garden are furnished
them free by farmers. I don't thinli much about the factory labor, as I am far
away from any factory.—Z. Blaistchaed, Sloan.
DURHAM COUNTY.
The Changed Conditions.—I can see no future for the farmers of North
Carolina. With farm labor at one dollar per day and tobacco selling at ten
cents a pound, wheat at ninety cents per bushel, corn at sixty cents per bushel,
oats at forty cents per bushel, with farm implements going up all the time, and
cost of living becoming more every day, can we expect to hold our own? When
we were selling our tobacco for twenty-five, thirty and forty cents per pound,
wheat at two dollars per bushel and corn at a dollar and a half per bushel, we
could hire farm hands at forty to fifty cents per day.—J. W. Unstead, Stem.
Laboe-loving People Wanted.-—The child-labor law of our State is all we
need for the protection of the children. In regard to labor, it is very scarce in
this county; no hands to be had for the farms. Most of the labor here is
negro labor, and all have gone to the sawmills and public works. The older
negroes are passing away and the new generation are dudes and want tliree
prices for their labor and to ride in top buggies to town every Saturday.
Very few will ever make any farmers that will amount to anything. We need
people to come to this country who love to work on the farm. If a person does
not like his calling he will never succeed in it. Prices are too high for the
farmer to have his land cultivated by hired labor. It would only be a matter
of a short time before the land would be put on the market.—G. D. Maekhah,
Durham.
EDGECOMBE COUNTY.
Suggests Scotch Immigeants.—The. child-labor law now in operation in
this State is all right. To benefit the wage-earner it is necessary for him to
quit idling and have regard for promises he makes. From what I can learn of
immigration, I favor the Scotch race, yet I hold to the opinion, if the negro
would do as he can and should do, he is the best laborer for farming.—V. B.
Knight, Speed.
JSToRTH Carolina Labor StxVtistics.
Make Home Comfortable.—The child-labor law is all right. Our wage-earners
are all colored. I know of no law but a moral law that could reach
them. They virtually throw away what they work for, and as they have no
idea of morality I am at a loss to know what to say. I wish I had the power
to enthuse the minds of our working people, and especially our small farmers,
as to the importance of making and saving more of their surplus and facili-tating
their work about the home. The home comforts are not studied as they
should be. We have very few home comforts for our wives and very few
attractions for our children.—M. H. Smithson, Battleboro.
Enough People Here to Make State Prosperous.—The child-labor law is
all right, if, as I suppose, it is to keep them out of factories, where their gen-eral
health would be impaired. As to wage-earners, they are well provided for
in our county ; have good homes to live in, and all the firewood they want to
burn, and do just as little as they can to draw their wages ; at least, that is the
way it looks to people who hire them, and I am certain there is not an able-bodied
man but what could make it profitable to pay him fifteen or twenty
dollars per month, provided he would give you his honest time and work
for your interest. As to immigration, we need no immigrants, unless good,
honest people, and I feel like we won't get them from the Old Country. Are
there not enough people in North Carolina to make it prosper?
—
Theo. Law-rence,
Battleboro.
Irregularity of Negro Labor.—The greatest part of the labor in this section
is the negro, and if they should work well they would be the best labor in this
State. The women never work, except to chop a little in the crop and pick
cotton ; very few employed regularly—I don't know of one. The share system
seems to be all the go, except in a few instances. School facilities in this sec-tion
are good ; run full time, with good teachers. Morals are not good.—J. K.
Lawrence, Battleboro.
FORSYTH COUNTY.
Desirable Immigrants or None at All.—Relative to the child-labor law. I
think it is fairly good. The wage-earners are well paid for their services, and
but few of them save much of their earnings. I am unable to suggest any laws
that will make a man save what he makes. In regard to immigrants, I am
opposed to bringing in a class of people who would be a menace to the law-abiding
citizens of our country. We need some more laboring people, but we
want good, moral, intelligent and industrious citizens.—R. S. Linville, Kev-nersviUe.
Farmers' Needs at Present.—I favor every law for the protection of the
children of the State that will tend to improve their condition, physically and
mentally, for it is a sin to permit children to be worked long hours and during
the school term. There are no people on earth who could be induced to work
on the farm for less wages than they could get at something else. While the
cost of living has increased, taxes have increased, real estate and personal
property have increased in valuation, farm products have not changed ma-terially.
Tobacco, our money crop, sells so low that there is nothing in raising
it any more. Let farm products get on a par with other things, and that will
Condition of Farmers. 49
settle the labor questiou aud there will uot be so much land lying idle; and
until then all the immigration legislation will amount to nothing, so far as
farming is concerned.—J. G. Fulton, Se., KernersviUe.
Pay Moke fob Farm Products.—In my opinion, the thing that would help
the laborer most would be to pay the farmer more for his products, so that he
might be able to pay more for help.—W. R. Rominger, Winston-Salem.
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Reasons foe Favoring Compulsory Education.—Child labor does not
amount to much on the farm, except for picking cotton. We in Franlilin want
more labor, but what kind I am not prepared to say. I never have worked any
except the negro, and he gets more worthless every year. There is less de-pendence
to be put in him. As to the educational condition of the country, it
is improving, but the common class of people are too careless about sending
their children to school. Therefore, I am in favor of compulsory education for
the white children for four months in the year.—J. H. Ballentine, Bunn.
Honest, Fair Dealing.—As regards the needs of wage-earners and what
would benefit them, I wish to say that, in my opinion, they would be benefited
by honest aud fair dealing with them and prompt payment, and this would be
the best inducement for them to work.
—
Henry G. Gupton, Centerville.
GASTON COUNTY.
Farms Being Depopulated.—One of the problems which confronts the land-owner
is desirable tenants. If by immigration we can secure a class of citizens
Avho will become law-abiding and truly citizens in every sense, then I am for
immigration. Our farms are being depopulated by the tenants moving to cot-ton
mills. There they can secure employment where they can see their reward
every week in the pay roll. If we could secure a class of German immigrants
that are law-abiding, why, let's have them, but no Southern Italians—no more
Mafia or Black Hand societies, for their birth is among the immigrants from
Southern Italy.—B. F. Carpenter, Staiileii.
Crossroads Stores and Baseball Grounds.—As to the child-labor law, I
think small children should go to school and not work in the cotton mills. I
think a compulsory school law would in some respects be all right. I must
confess that I am at a loss to know what kind of immigrants would suit us
best. The Germans might fill the bill, if any. As to our wage-earners, I will
say, if they work every day in the week, as all should do, their condition would
be much better than it is. Stop lying at crossroads stores and baseball
grounds.
—
Jacob Kiser, Bessemer City.
Should Strictly Keep Contracts.—I think the law in regard to child labor
is all right. I know nothing in regard to wage-earners that would be more to
ISToETH Cabolixa Labor Statistics.
their advantage than to strictly fulfill their contracts to the letter, which would
give the employer confidence. I do not know enough about immigrants to
recommend any class, but think, if the Germans could be induced, that they are
as good or better than any others.
—
Moses Stkoup, Bessemer City.
Wages Too High—Industrious Classes Desired.—I consider the child-labor
law of this State very good. The present need of the wage-earners is not
larger but less pay. As the wages are now, he can work a couple of days and
live all the rest of the week without working any more that week. This is the
way that most negroes do. Immigrants from Germany or Norway would be
satisfactory for this part of the country, I believe. The people who own land
are looking for good, honest people to take the place of the negro in working
their land.—C. B. Eobinson, Oastonia.
Favors an Educational Campaign.—I am not perfectly familiar with the
workings of the child-labor law in our State in manufacturing plants, but as a
farmer and from a farmer's standpoint I can say that, in my opinion, we have
legislated more dummies and made fools by ineffective, nonoperative laws for
the younger race of people, from the fact that too many of our young people
have been legislated out of employment for the purpose of going into the
schoolroom, when, as a matter of fact, by legislation they have taken up for
their occupation bad habits, gambling, loafing, path packing, when they should
be industrious breadwinners for the protection of their loved ones. The object
of the law is a good one, but whether it is a good thing to say as to what way
a man shall direct his children is more than I can answer ; but I do know that
industry in the right way will not hurt a child, and, in my opinion, it is best to
start them while young, from the fact that their best training can be gotten
into them then. To illustrate this, see how quickly they can learn that which
they should not. In training anything it should be done before it is too old,
and for that reason it might be best to try to teach some of our older people
how to bring up their little ones who had not the opportunity to be trained up
to perfection in their infancy. I believe every child ought to be educated, but
to force an education on him is a hard problem, and the thing to do is to get
the parents to see that it is to their interest to have their children educated.
You will infer by this that I believe in an educational campaign. As to
immigration, I am in favor of bringing into our country a more reliable class
of laborers than the negro. It makes no difference what nationality they are,
just so they are intelligent and industrious enough to perform the duties
assigned them. It looks like it has come to the time when it is useless to dis-charge
one person for neglect of duty, from the fact that the next one seems to
be worse ; and if conditions continue to remain as they are, there is no telling
how much worse bad matters are going to be made. Some contend that the
price of farm labor is too low, but they are mistaken, for the intelligent,
obedient, well-behaved, courteous farm laborer can command the best homes
in the country, with nice surroundings, and on top of that get good wages for
his services. It is only the "no-account, unindustrious, don't-care" class that
is having a hard time, and it's no pity for them, for if a person don't try to
care for himself others will care but little for him.
—
Robert L. Abernethy,
Mount HoUy.
Co^'DITIOX OF FAE:i[EES. 51
GATES COUNTY.
No Difficulty in Securing Labor.—I know very little about child labor
;
suppose tlie law in regard to it is all right. As to labor, the negro is the best
labor for this section ; we have very little or no trouble with him. I am op-posed
to immigration. Our system of farming could be much improved, I
think. I notice where farmers raise their food supplies they are out of debt.
—
F. K Cross, Sunliury.
GRAHAM COUNTY.
Thinks Teachers Should Receive Better Salaries.—We have no public
works in this county, save a few sawmills, some five or six. I have no well-founded
views on immigration ; but few, if any, immigrants ever reach our sec-tion.
The most of our farmers work their own farms. We need more farm
labor. Immigrants who are good, industrious farmers with families and of
good moral character would be gladly received among us. Lands are cheap and
well adapted to the growth of clover, timothy, red-top, orchard grass, corn, oats,
rye and potatoes. Apples grow well here. We need better schools. The best
teachers can get better wages at other employment and have left off teaching.
I think teachers ought to be paid better salaries. We must educate our chil-dren
better, and to do this we must have good, efficient teachers and then com-pel
the parents to send the children to school at least three months out of the
four months, which is the school term in this county.—W. D. Crisp, Stecoah.
Keep Children in School, if Possible.—I do not think that children under
twelve years of age ought to be hired out. They ought to be trained to work
at home when not in school. We need a compulsory school law here in this
county. As to wage-earners, they are all right if they will work, as wages are
good. I do not think we need any immigrants.—D. A. Taylor, Brock.
GRANVILLE COUNTY.
Applauds Governor Glenn.—I take pleasure in filling out this blank and
returning it to j'ou. I am always ready and willing to do anything that will
advance the best Interests of our people. Regarding the child-labor law, there
might be some improvement, but I am not prepared just now to make the
proper suggestion. As to the wage-earners, we are willing and want to pay
good wages, but we want labor that is worth having and that can be relied on.
The negro as a laborer on our farms or as a servant in our homes is almost a
thing of the past. In many localities it is difiicult to get the washing done by
the colored race. I favor immigration. As to what class or race I cannot say.
We want and need a class of people who are willing to work on our farms, in
our cookrooms, in the garden, in the laundry and elsewhere. We want a class
of people we can control ; then we are willing and want to pay them what is
just and right for their service. I favor State prohibition. We must have it
soon. It will come before long. We must put a stop to the awful drink habit.
We say "Three cheers for R. B. Glenn, the greatest Governor this State has
52 ISToETH Caeolia^a Labor Statistics.
ever had!" There must be a law enacted soon to prohibit the manufacture
and sale of cigarettes in this State. This is one of the greatest evils we have.
A young man has recently died, not very far from me. whose dying testimony
was : "I have saved five thousand tobacco bags that I smoked the tobacco from
in cigarettes, and that is what has brought me to my deathbed." What an
awful thing this is ! We only need men of grit and backbone to make laws to
put such as this to an end. Another important legislation is to stop all trains
in the State from running on the Sabbath Day. Men forget and do not remem-ber
the Sabbath Day. We need God-fearing men to make laws and to fill all of
our offices.—D. N. Hunt, Oxford.
Negro All Right When Peopeelt Managed.—I don't know enough about
the child-labor law to express an opinion, as my only business is farming, and
I don't employ child labor. As to wage-earners, if you mean those who work
for a stipulated amount, wages are good, and if they would work regularly and
take care of their wages they ought to live well ; but a great many of them are
shiftless and only work enough to "keep living." The man who is in the worst
condition is the man who has to pay the present prices for labor and depend on
the uncertain trust prices to pay them. I think share farming has ruined farm
labor in this county, as the share hand works such a small portion of the year.
I have seen so much in the papers about the troubles where the foreign immi-grants
gather, I am afraid of them. I think the negro, with all his imperfec-tions,
if he is properly managed, is the best farm labor we can get. The great
demand for labor by the manufactories and city improvements has drawn the
most of the wage labor from the farms.—G. L. Allen, Creedmoor.
Teach the Childeen to Be Industeiolts.—I am not well enough posted to
say what class of immigrants is most needed in North Cai'olina, but we surely
need an improvement of some kind in our farm labor. As for child labor. I
think children ought to be taught to work, but not at too hard labor when
young. If a child is not taught to work while young, he will not be apt to take
to it when he gets grown.—G. B. Eoyster, Virgilina.
"Old Negro" Suits Veey Well.-—We have never had any immigrants in this
part of the county ; therefore I cannot tell what class would suit us best. I am
not much in favor of immigrants, unless they are good farm workers, such as
we could associate with in our churches and schools. The old negro suits us
very well and is tolerably reliable, but there is no confidence to be put in the
younger set that has grown up since the Civil War. There are not very many
of the younger set in this section ; they leave their parents and go to the public
works or some town before they are sixteen years old. As to child labor, I
think on the farm is the best place to raise a child. Parents should teach
their children to love the farm and appreciate the noble and honored occupa-tion.—
J. P. Stovall, Virgilina.
Suggests Need of Moee Farms and Farmers.—The law as it "is, properly
carried out, will be of great value to the children, causing a great many to
attend the public schools of the State, thereby better fitting them to become
useful citizens. As to the class of immigrants we need in North Carolina, will
say that we need those who will take up small farms and cultivate them thor-oughly,
or those who thoroughly understand farming. Such a class would
Condition of Fakmees. 53
cause those farmers who are land-poor to cut up their farms into small ones,
selling them and enabling them to raise a better quality of produce and at a
more satisfactory price.
—
Chaeles J. Roberts, Lyon.
Who is to Blame?—I am opposed to children working in the factories and
their fathers loafing the streets around the drink saloons. I do not know what
to say as to wage-earners. I am in favor of paying good labor all it is worth.
Such labor you cannot employ, for they had rather work on the crop system.
The labor you can hire is almost worthless. All they study is to beat you out
of everything they can and work as little as possible. I am in favor of good,
honest, substantial immigrants—those who are willing to work and help build
up the country; but the loafing, vagabond class w^e don't need; we ha^-e a
plenty of that class already and would like to get rid of them. The question is,
"Is negro labor reliable?" I answer, "No; not such as you can employ." But
there are some good, honest, reliable negroes who own their own teams, and the
landlord is always glad to get them. Then there is another class, both white
and colored, who are worse than deadbeats. They kill more teams than any-body
else. They can go to the horse dealer and buy a nicer team than anyone
else. They don't care what the price is, as they know they do not intend to pay
for it anyway. They will give a mortgage on the horse and crop, knowing at
the same time they haven't ten bushels of corn to feed that team with. Then
see them get out on the road at a twelve-mile gait, and they act like the whole
world was theirs. But when harvesting time comes there is nothing to house.
The landlord gets nothing in rents ; the merchant and horse dealer gets nothing
but the shadow of a nice team, if he gets that. Yet this same man can go
right back again the next winter and buy another team the same way. Now,
who is at fault for this worthless farming and cruelty to teams? I say, first,
the farmer or landlord, for abandoning his farm and going to town to get his
children into the factories so he can loaf the streets ; second, the horse dealer
and merchant, for generally they are both the same. What is the remedy?
First, let the landlords remain on their farms and raise their children to farm
;
organize, have a system and general rules to govern the laborer. If a man
comes and wants to rent a farm, if he hasn't plenty to feed his team and a
good recommendation, pass him on. Second, have a law that no dealer in
stock shall sell a team to anyone who cannot furnish good proof that he has
plenty of good feed to feed the team and that he will be good to the team and
take good care of it. I know of some fine farms now growing in bushes and
briars, the landlords gone to town and a worthless class of tenants messing up
the land. Better let the laud grow up in timber again. I highly approve of
the child-labor law, since reading it, and think it ought to be put in full force.
It is better to cripple the factory than to kill the child.
—
Levi J. H. Meweorn,
S}Wic HiU.
GUILFORD COUNTY.
Very Satisfactory.—I think the present child-labor law is very satisfac-tory.—
W. H. McLean, Gibsonville.
Have Enough Undesirable Citizens.—I think the law we have for child
labor is sufflcient. Children should be kept in school during the school term
;
5-1: XoBTH Cabolixa Laboe Statistics.
after rliar. they are far bener off r<.< l»e pur to work. Work will give them
both bone and muscle, make rhem hale and hearty and keep Them out of mis-chief.
Wagre-earners are. as a rule, srerrius: reasonable pay for their work, but
very few take care of what they make. The negro makes enough in three days
to feed him seven; that is the cause of negro labor being so unreliable. As to
immigrants, it is said that two-thirds of the crimes committed in »w York
Ciry are by foreigners. We have all the criminals we can attend to. and if the
vast hordes of paupers are dumped upon us we will soon have to enlarge our
jails to ac-c-ommodate them. We have enough undesirable citizens—all we can
take care of—without sending to Europe for more. This section does not need
immigrants for farm lab<:>r.—C'. A. Tickle. Gihionville.
HALIFAX COUXTY.
liiMiGEA^rrs A>-T) THE Laeob Laws.-—I am of the opinion that we need more
people, and would be glad to see an infltix. in large numbers, of immigrants,
such as are most nearly of our own class of people, who will take by lease or
buy some farms, or work as farm laborers, either for wages or shares. I think
the law relative to employer and employee should be in the jtirisdiction of the
magistrates rather than the Superior Courts. I am not sufficiently acquainted
with the child-lalx^r law to give au opinion.—D. S. Moss. J/o>>-.
CoycEBZTCNG THE Xegbo a^o) Foeeigx Labor.—I think our present cliild-lal>or
law is gix«d. As I have had very little experienc-e with foreign labor, don't
know which is best. Think any good, working people would be as good as the
negro labor we have. Am informed by the ones who have tried it that it is
bener.—C. D. Hokxe, Thclma.
HAEXETT C<:>rXTY.
The Law At.t Eight.—The child-labor law in our State is very good, if it
was obeyed. What we are very much in need of is law-abiding people.—H. V.
MorxTOx. Duke.
Keep 0>t:t Ers^orcH Laxd to Pbopebtt Impeove.—We have no cotton mills
here. I understand, at s<:>me c-otton mills. s<ime parents put children in the
mills and live off of their labor, making slaves of them. Wage-earners only
need to work : wages good and plenty of work for all : work looks them in the
face. We don't need any immigrants : they will c-ome too fast anyway. From
a financial point, they might benefit some of us for a while. Why not sell what
land we can't cultivate, and improve what we keep? Poor land is no good.
Sow grain. I prefer a sorry negr<:>. He is the only laborer we need in the
South.—P. J. Jeffkets. Dunn.
WoBKizs^G CHti-DREy Too Lo>"G.^—I favor a mild c-ompulsory school law. I
think that the factories are working the children too long.—X. T. Pattebsox.
MoJiaick.
CoxDiTiox OF Faemees. 55
HAYWOOD COUNTY.
Immigrants Not Needed.—I favor the new law relating to child labor, to
become effective January 1, 1908. The establishment of regular prices for farm
labor. I think, would be beneficial. I don't think immigrants for farm labor
are needed here.—O. L. Aixex. WaijnesviUe.
Promise, bit Do Not Fulfill.—I think the child-labor law a good thing,
but we need a compulsory school law to make them attend school while they
are not at work. As to the wage-earners, they will not work here on the farms.
They work on public works cheaper than on the farms. They promise to work,
but when the time comes fail to show up. I think an intelligent and indus-trious
class of immigrants who would work on the farm would be agreeable
here, but we would not want a lower class.—C. R. Clark. Clyde.
Abolish "Exemftiozv Law."—In regard to child labor, am opposed to it
until twelve or fourteen years old : then not too confining. The best thing for
the labor, in my opinion, would be to make a law and abolish exemption law.
It would make more good young men, and old ones also. Foreigners we most
need are the Germans. They are the best, to my mind.
—
George E. Lewis,
Crabtree.
HENT)EESON COUNTY.
The Farmer Feeds Them All.—Eegarding child labor, we know but little of
it. as we have no cotton mills in our county, but think it ought not to be tol-erated
if we expect the rising generation to be strong and healthy men and
women. From my own observation, which is limited. I think it will have a
tendency to degenerate our people. Public works have taken our strong young
men off the farm, and my impression is that farm products will in a few years
reach such a price that our young men will come back to the farm and make
and save more money than they are now doing at the public works, as the farm
feeds the world.—W. L. Hefxer, HendersonvUIe.
Thrifty Workin'g Class.—I think the child-labor law very good. I don't
favor immigration ia this part of the State very much. However, if we could
get a good, thrifty working class, I think they would be beneficial.—T. E.
Osboris'e, Fletcher.
Let Them Come from the North or "West.—A low type of immigrants cer-tainly
would not suit this community ; but a good, reliable class of either
Northern or Western home seekers would be treated kindly. I am in favor of
a compulsory school law. Children under fourteen years old should not be
kept in cotton mills regularly.—A. J. Neelt, HendersonvUIe.
Waxt Oxlt the "Best."—We would be best served without immigrants,
unless we could have the best. Our State has been going forward in the good
work of education, and I think it would be a sad mistake to dump a lot of
ignorant people on us who have no idea of democratic principles.—C. M.
Fletcher, Fletcher.
Answered "In the Order They Come."—I will try to answer your questions
in the order in which they are put in this circular. There has been a very
56 JSToRTii Caeolina Labor StxVtistics.
marked increase iu the value of land in this county within the last few years.
Prices of farm produce have been good and farmers have been encouraged iu
greater effort to improve their farms. Perhaps more time is devoted to hand-ling
wood, bark, etc., than ought to be, but upon the whole the general condition
of our small farmers is infinitely better than it was some years ago. Cost of
living has increased, but this is more than overbalanced by the increased value
of the dairy, the poultry yard, etc. We have comparatively little negro labor
in this county. What we have is about as good as we could expect. The writer
has a negro man in his employment who has served him very faithfully for
eight or more years and has given no trouble. Good hands get from seventy-five
cents to a dollar a day on the farm. Women are never hired as farm hands
in this county. They do work in their own gardens and sometimes help their
husbands iu the field. It is generally harder to get help in the house than to
get a man to work in the field. Wages of both men and women have increased
greatly within the last two years. The cotton mills take away our young people
and pay them better wages than farmers can afford to pay. As regards the
moral and religious condition of our people, it is as good as can be found any-where.
I don't think there is any desire among our people for foreign immi-grants
as laborers. Families with some means to buy small farms and settle
down industriously to work would be heartily welcomed; and, taken altogether,
there are few portions of this great country that offer a more certain return
for honest, intelligent labor, and small farms can be bought now at very rea-sonable
prices and on very liberal terms.—W. C. Cornell, Hendersonville.
Some Making Progress.—In regard to child labor, I can't think that children
ought to be put in public works under fourteen years of age. They ought to
go to school at least four months each year. Wages in public works are good.
Some of the wage-earners are making headway ; others seem to spend their
money as fast as they get it. A vast amount is said to be spent for whiskey.
—
H. N. Gillespie, Horseshoe.
Leaving the Farms.—I am not in favor of children working too young,
though am not familiar with the child-labor law of the State, as we have few
cotton mills here. As to wage-earners, I think the landowners would do well
to let their farms out "on shares," so as to bring them back to the farms. A
great many people have left this section and gone to the cotton mills. We need
their places filled with good, steady people, wherever they can be found.
W. A. Brittain, Horseshoe.
School Terms Too Short.—The land has increased in value during the past
year. The fertility of our laud has decreased in the past five years, on account
of heavy, washing rains. I am oi)posed to bringing in immigrants. We need
manufacturing enterprises in our county to keep our own people and give them
employment during the long winter months. We have good schools in our
county. The great trouble is, we can't get the masses of the children in school
but six or eight weeks. We need a compulsory school law.—C. Gates, Bear
Walloio.
CoNSEEVATrvE NoRTH CAROLINA.—The law passed by the last General Assem-bly
I regard as an upward step in protecting the future manhood and woman-hood
of our State. If we expect our people to be intelligent, their future
growth must be protected. No child should be allowed to enter into the em-
CoxDiTiox OF Fae:mees. 57
ploymeut of any factory without being able to read and write ; and if all
manufacturing plants would have a library of good, moral, practical and ele-vating
boolis and periodicals, and endeavor to