Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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vi? J5X J. A. .orjJUJD.1 m COLUMBIA, S. p., THURSDAY MORNING, IEPTEMBE% 21, ?8G5. .YOL. I-NO. *?*. y THE PHONIX, m* PUBLISHED DAILY AND TKI-WEEKT.Y, BY JULIAN A. SELBY. ??TATE PRINTER. Important Sleeting in Sumter. We extract thc following interesting report of a meeting of planters from Kershaw, Clarendon and Sumter, held in Sumter village last Thursday, from the correspondence of the Charleston News: SUMTER, S. C., Dec. 21, 18G?. One of the largest meetings which has been held here for years assembled in the Court House to-day, at eleven o'clock A. M. It was composed chiefly of the planters of Sumter, Kershaw and Clarendon Districts. On motion of Col. F. H. Whittier, Col. John N. Frierson was called to the Chair ; J. J. Fleming was ap? pointed Secretary : The Chairman introduced the ob? ject of the meeting in a very eloquent address, in which he avowed his con? viction that, notwithstanding all dis? couragements which at present might exist, this great Southern country was not destined to become a wilder? ness ; that it must and will be culti? vated either by free black or white labor ; and that the planters were ready to test the question fairly and fully, and to make contracts for another year, if any guarantee was furnished that stich * contracts would be enforced. He believed that our political condition was not as hopeless as some might suppose, and trusted that we would yet enjoy union with? out consolidation, and liberty without anarchy or misrule. He then intro? duced to the meeting Gen. R. Saxton. Gen. Saxton, in a brief address, declared that the Freedmen's Bureau, which he represented, was disposed to give every assistance to the plan? ters in working out the problem of free labor ; and that he believed that ultimately the agricultural interest would be advanced to a higher aud more profitable condition under free than it would have been under a con? tinuance of slave labor. By invitation, Rev. M. French, who had just arrived from Washing? ton, gave his views on the subject of free labor, detailing the results of his observations in different parts of tho Southern country, and more particu? larly the workings of the new system of the sea islands of South Carolina. He pronounced freedom and free labor a decided success, and predicted the happiest results in this section, if the planters would manage the freed? men properly, and act thc part of "educators" as well as supervisors of their laborers. Judge Moses wished to know if Mr. French believed that the freed? men would carry out their contracts, and upon what grounds he rested such a belief ? Di reply, Mr. French avowed his faith as the main-spring to his con? viction ; he believed firmly that when the inducement of compensation, whether in money or proportion of crop, was presented, coupled with the fear of the penalties imposed for remissness or failure, the freedmen wcihdd work through the time con? tracted for. General Richardson, commanding tb^ Eastern District of South Caro? lina, stated that it had been univer? sally affirmed by the planters that the freedmen have not worked as they should have done, and ho. believed this was true ; and therefore it was but natural that the planters should look for some better guarantee for their performance of duty. He sub? mitted a plan for contracts adopted by the Darlington planters. General Saxton stated that while the Bureau fixed upon a specific plan for contracts, the one just readmet his approval, and appeared to be un? exceptionable. Rev. H. D. Green noticed an omis? sion in the form presented-there was nothing said about recklessness, on the part of the freedmen, Lo de? stroying gardens, fencing, &c. ; how was this to be punished ? Gen. Saxton : Of course, where they destroy property, it comes out of their wages. CoL J. D. Blanding : I wish to know whether involuntary loss of time, as in sickness, shall fall upon the planter or upon the freedman ? Gen. Saxton : Upon the freedman. Judge Moses moved that the form of contracts be referred to a Commit? tee of-planters from Sumter, Kershaw and Clarendon, (begging to be excused from serving on the Com? mittee himself.) The Committee having retired, the Hon. F. J. Moses, Senator from Sum? ter, and recently elevated to the Bench, in response to a call from the meeting, addressed his late constitu? ents, thanking them for the uniform and cordial support they had given him as their Senator, and affirming that if at last it should be found that he had served his God as faithfully as he had served them for twenty-five years in the Senate of the State, he would look forward to the close of life without fear or concern. His remarks were eloquent and well re? ceived, and he pronounced them to be his valedictory as Senator. The vacancy thus created in the Senate, it is generally thought, would be admirably filled by the election of Col. John N. Frierson to the position. If he con be induced to accept, there is no doubt the Dis? trict would feel proud and fortunate in securing the services of a gentle? man who unites, with great sound? ness of views, varied scholarship, undeviating judgment and inflexible integrity, a refinement and elegance of manners which would adorn any station in the land. The Committee having returned, presented the following form for contracts, which was unanimously adopted. They prefaced their report with the follow' ?? resolution, which was also passet" / a unanimous vote: Resolved, That in tue judgment of this Committee, in all cases where it is convenient, and circumstances allow it, ii is the best system of ?hire to pay the freedmen skited wages; and that where this rule is adopted, we recommend the following scale of wages, varying from $40 to $120 per annum: FORM OF CONTRACTS, Between planters and freedmen, ?us substantially adopted by the Dar? lington meeting, revised and adopt? ed by the mass meeting of Sumter, Kershaw ?ind Clarendon planters, December 21, 1865, an i approved by Maj. Gen. Saxton, of the Freed? men's Bureau: STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, DISTRICT. Articles of agreement between and , freed men and women, whose names are hereunto attached: L The said freedmen agree to hire their time as laborers, on the planta? tion of , from January 1, I860, to January 1, 1867; to conduct themselves faithfully, honestly, civil? ly and dilligently; to perform all labor on said plantation, or such as may be connected therewith, that may bo required by the said or his agent; and to keep no poultry, dogs or stock of any kind, exceptas hereinafter specified; no fire-arms or deadly weapons, no ardent spirits, nor introduce or invite visitors, nor leave the premises during working hours, without the written consent of the proprietor or his agent. II. The said freedmen agree to per I form the daily tasks hitherto usually allotted on said plantation, to wit: 125 to 150 rails; cutting grain, three to, six acres; ditching and banking, 300 to GOO feet; hoeing cotton, 70 to 300 rows an acre long; corn, 4,000 to 7,000 hills. In all cases where tusks cannot bo assigned, they agree to labor diligently ten hours a day. III. For every day's labor lost by absence, refusal or neglect to perform the daily task or labor, said servants shall forfeit fifty cents. If absent voluntarily or without leave, two dol? lars a day; if absent more than one day without leave, to be subject to dismissal from the plantation and for? feiture of share in the crop. A.11 such fines and forfeitures shall inure to the benefit of the employer and em ployees in proportion to their relative shares. IV. Said freedmen agree to take good care of all utensils, tools and implements committed to their charge aud to pay for the same if injured or destroyed; also, to be kind and gen? tle to all work animals under their charge, and to pay for any injury which they may sustain while in their hands through their earelesuess or neglect; and forfeitures herein speci? fied will be subject to the decision of the authorities having proper juris? diction of the same. V. They stipulate to keep theih houses, lots and persons, in neat con? dition, subject to the inspection of the employer or ngent at any time. VI. They agree to furnish from their number a nurse for the sick, also stock-minder and foreman, to be selected by the employer. They agree to be directed in their labor by the foreman, to obey his orders, and that he shall report all absences, ne? glects, refusal to work, or disorderly conduct, to tho employer or agent." VIL Said employer agrees to treat his employees with justice and kindness; to furnish each family with quarters 011 his plantation, with a quarter of an acre of land for a gar? den, and the privilege of getting fire? wood from some portion of the premises, to he indicated by the em? ployer, and to divide the crop with them in the following proportions, viz: to the employees one-third of the corn, potatoes and peas, gathered and prepared for market, and one third nett proceeds of the ginned cotton, or its market value, at the end of the year. When desired, to furnish the usual bread and meat ration, to be accounted for at the market price, out of their share of the crop. [Where "stated wages" are allowed, the pru raia of the crop will be omitted. ] VIII. Said employer agrees to furnish animals, and to feed them; also wagons, carts, plantation imple? ments, such as cannot be made by the laborer on the plantation. IX. All violations of the terms oi this contract, or of the rales and regulations of the employer, may be punished by dismisal from the plan? tation,with forfeiture of his or her share of the crop or wages, as the case may be. But the employer shall pay said parties at the rate of four dollars a month for full hands, deducting therefrom advances made. X. Tho employer or his agent shall keep a book, in which shall be entered all ad van cs made by him, and fines and forfeitures for lost time, or any cause, which book shall be received as evidence in same manner as mer? chants' books are now received in Courts of Justice, and shall have a light to deduct from the share ol each laborer all his or her fines and forfeitures, also all advances made by him, subject to the decision of thc authorities having jurisdiction ol the same. XX Thc laborer shall not sell amy agricultural product to any person whatever, without the written con? sent of the employer, until after thc division of the crops. XII The laborers shall commence work at sunrise, and be allowed from one to three hours each day for theil meals, according to season of the year. Witness our hands, &c., this While the planters' meeting was in progress, the freedmen were crowd ing into town from all quarters, ant" ac 2 p. tn. an immense assemblage o: them was addressed by Gen. Saxtor and Rev. Mr. French, from a plat form near which rose, in all its tall ant fair proportions, the liberty pole, wit" the Stars and Stripes floating from it summit. The day passed off quietly ..nd notwithstanding the immens throng of all colors and classes, ?w> heard of no cases of disorder o violence, except ono instance, ii which, just before sunset, a fvoednnu was critically if not fatally stabbei by a gentleman from the country who immediately made his escape The cause for the act has not tram pired, but the authorities will n doubt investigate and properly dis pose of the affair. CALNAN & KEE GERVAIS {OR BRIDGE) STREET, OPPOSITE THE STATE HOUSE, Are continually receiving and keep constantly on hand a full supply of GROCERIES, WINES Hm UQtlORS,. i ? m OF THE FINEST QUALITY: /^J^^fAJ^ SUGARS, TEA, COFFEE, MOLASSES, CHACREES. /'-/;, AST! , ? vS&t??s^i'-^ Cheese, Rutter. Lard. Hams, Bacon. Dried Beef, tilth '--If-. f;jJBH?Srp- ? Herrings, Mackerel, Vinegar, Pickles, Sauces, ?rn ji?i^^gTa|BB^-- Canned Fruits, Mustard, Pepper, Spices. Ginger, rjy^rMP^M|MBBBI|^^vMarcaroni, Raisins, Brazil Nets. Hazel Nats, \ WM ''. N^R?THERN?R?SH POTATOES. LrgaBSB^JWBg ky V . Gibson's FINE WHISKIES, SCOTCH WHISKEY. SSrV***1* GIN, BUM, FRENCH BRANDY, ?CS? Madeira, Port and Sherry Wino. I St. Harceaux ?V Co.'s Champagne, Curacoa, Absynth, Maraschino, ic. HENRY N. McGOW?N, Salesman. I Dec .1 Phoenix Iron Works, Situated Foot of Richland St., near Greenville Railroad, Columbia. GOLDSMITH & KINO, PROPRIETORS. _ THE above works arc now completed, A^a'"jSgk^ft- j ;m(I the undersigned beg to inform thc*^^N. ^ - ^xtrjl&^^tk-^r public that they are now prepared to exe- ^N?--^^1 ? m y*?^^^if--Vl cuUi a11 kill(ls of IKON CASTINGS, such - i|Tflfifc^rm<ia ^^SWTOu?ftii^BKjff^lL. :ire needed for agriculturists and r.ut-?~5*==?=^~sS?32** 'fWBP?B8T'inriri RAILP.OAD IRON, MILL IRON. IRON FENCING, -Jg^|^tyjBBBjM?Bgj?" etc. Tlu-y arc also prepared to furnish BRASS CASTINGS P^^fi^flBWsIr Orders ar? solicited and will be proniptly attended to. -^=?^?Jb^ Nov 9 P. KIND. MARSHALL HOB, AND HACK LINE TO W?Syil3?T?^s ?BA. HAYING taken charge of the above HOTEL, and having thoroughly re? titled and refurnished it, \ pledge myself, after many years' experience in this busi? ness, to furnish my guests with clean, com? fortable rooms, and a tabb? supplied at all times with the very best tile markets afford. I am determined to spare no pains to please mj patrons. My HACKS from Abbeville to Washing? ton, Ga., Will make daily connection with this House, affording to persons going West and East a safe, comfortable and ex? peditious means of conveyance. Persons desiring to go from Abbeville to any point of the country not accessible, by public conveyance, can find at my LIVERY STABLES, for hire, Carriages, Buggies and Saddle Horses. P. S.' RUTLEDGE. Abbeville C. H., December 12, 1805. Dec 21 Imo SOTfXHEiaH MVTVM.?, LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY. [ESTABLISHED 1849.] CAPITAI.$212,000 Hon. W. F. D?SAUSSURE.President. Dr. JOHN FISHER. . . .Treasurer. F. W. MCMASTER.Actuary. r a i HIS Company lias paid for losses to the I widows and orphans of the South near $400,000. Its rates are low and profits regularly returned *o the insurers. For further information and policies of insur? ance, apply to the Actuary, No. 5 Law Range, Columbia, S. C. Dec 9 Imo* FROM Columbia to Charleston. THE NEW and FIRST-CLASS LIGHT DRAFT STEAMER GEORGE is now prepared to make engagements to take Freight front Granby Landing to Charles? ton. All goods forwarded by this lino will be insured, if desired. Also, forwarded to New Vork, and advances made upon the same, if required. Dec 14 Imo \. L. SOLOMON, Agent. tfS' The Abbeville Banner, Newberry Herald, Anderson Intelligences and Chester Standard will publish the above for two weeks, and send bills to this office. Just Received from New York AND FOR SALE AT L. ?, CLARKE'S, WASHING TON STREET, ALARGE and fashionable assortment of ORNAMENTS and TRIMMINGS for Ladies' Dresses and Cloaks, consisting of bugles, Butterflies, Drops, Fancy Cords and Buttons, of every description and size; Breakfast Shawls, Central Park Hoods, In? fant's Socks, Ladies' Fancy Neck-Ties, Ladirs'Fancy Neck-Tics, with* fringe, Dress Elevators, Belt Buckles and Clasps, Silk and Leather Bells, Belting Ribbons of all colors and widths. Velvet .Ribbon of all widths. Ladies' Scarfs. Collars and Cliffs, Traveling Bags, Ladies' Embroidered Handkerchiefs, Ladies' L. C Handker? chiefs, Gent's L. C. Handkerchiefs, Genfs Silk Handkerchiefs, Ladies' (Hoves and Gauntlets, Gent's Buck (Roves, Skirt Braid of all colors, Coat Bindings, Balmoral Skirts, a large assortment of Hoop Skirts, Ladies', Gent's, Youth's and Misses' Under Vests, Ladies' Flannel Skirts, Ladies' large Double Shawls; a hue assortment of Perfumeries, Brown Windsor Soap, Tooth Soap, Toilet Powder, Boxes and Puffs, Hair Brushes and Combs, Nail Brushes; a fine assortment of Dress Goods, at greatly reduced prices-DoL.iines, Black and Coi'd \lpacas, Mcrinoes, Calicoes, Ac; Klack LUoth aud Cassim eres. Fancy Cassimeres, Blankets, Umbrellas, Blue Shirtings, Pa? ser Cambric, Linen, Black and Colored bress Silks. Marceline Silk, Ac. Dec fi LWRa?cWe, AT THE Formerly at the Corner of Richardson and Plain Streets; now at 'he Corner of Pen? dleton and Assembly streets-his dteelling,) fVFFERS every article in his linc, viz: L/ WATCHES; JEWELRY, GUNS, PIS? TOLS, POWDER, SHOT. CAPS, CAR? TRIDGES for Smith's and Wesson's I'is ols; KNIVES, FORKS, SPOONS;Spectacles -to suit all ages; Gold Pens-the best issortment ever brought to this place; ."ishing Tackle, new and fresh-selected by nyself ; Hair and Tooth Brushes, Combs, A'alking Canes and every.bing usually cent in our line of business. I will also receive, from abroad every arti ;lc of MERCHANDIZE that may bc con? signed to me, for which I wiil make monthly >r quarterly returns-soliciting a sharo of latronagc. Watches and Clocks carefully repaired by ?xperienced workmen. Jewelry repaired, [tings made to onhtr. Engraving neatly ?xecuted. - The highest rates paid lor~ld Gold and Silver, and all of the above goods named ?viii bc sold at the lowest prices. Nov 5 Greenville, S. C. THE EXERCISES of this Institution will be resumed on th? 15th of Feb? ruary next. For Circular giving further information, inplication m av be made to PROF. JNO. F. LANNEAU, Oct 2S 67 Secretary of Faculty.