WAGES.
Scarcely any of the wealthy people of the North, and thinkers on vital
questions of the day in European nations, properly consider the salary
of colored laborers of the South, as a comparison to that of the white
laborer. It is universally admitted that the colored race has made rapid
progress—progress worthy of praise. But in the face of destitution,
educational endeavorment, exertions put forth to erect church edifices,
and imposition as described in the preceding chapter, thousands of good
people stand and say: “The negroes are allowed to work in nearly all the
branches of labor that are in the South, and why should we help them to
build their schools and churches, since they have been freed long enough
to look after themselves from a financial standpoint? and why should we
try to assist them in getting their rights at law, when they don’t try
to assist themselves when they are outraged by the lynchers, there being
as many or more colored people in some States than white people?” If the
negro was allowed the same chance or the same wages as his white brother,
then we could to some extent join with the above in asking, why? But few
of the many colleges and churches of the colored people are paid for.
Could colored millionaires be expected within 35 years of freedom? No.
There are some pursuing riches. In the State of Mississippi many colored
persons owned “plantations.” Only owned until some “heir” arise to force
them by “law” to disown their property. This course of defrauding the
colored people out of their stringent and honest earnings has existed
many years. In consideration of these things we must conclude that
donations amounting to enough to pay off debts of colored institutions,
such as that of Payne Theological Seminary should be given by those who
have received abundantly from the hands of a Father, who is rich in
houses and lands, and holdeth the wealth of the world in His hand.
In sustenance of what has been said as a proof of the Southern colored
labor being discounted, in that a minority of those who are fitted for
all departments of work are not employed, we give a clipping from the
_Detroit Evening News_:
“WAGES IN THE SOUTH.
“The Chattanooga Tradesmen has made a statistical examination
of the white and colored labor of the Southern States. From the
reports received from employers of nearly 100,000 hands, 58 per
cent. of the employees are white and 42 are colored. One-third
of the whole number are termed skilled laborers, only 10 per
cent. of whom are colored.
“A remarkable fact brought out by this investigation is, that
over 90 per cent. of these workmen are native born; 61 per
cent. of the employers said all their help were natives of the
south, and only 19 per cent. reported that they employed as
many as half natives and half of northern or foreign birth.
“The Tradesman says the reports show wages paid to skilled
workmen average $2.51 to whites and $1.58 to colored. Unskilled
whites average $1.14, and colored $1.02 per day. The highest
rate per day reported was $4, paid to expert brickmakers.
Foundrymen average $2.87 to whites and $1.62 to colored skilled
workers. Carriage makers average $3.37; no skilled colored
carriage makers are reported. In lumber making, white men
average $2.78, and colored $1.62. Coal miners average $2.33
for whites and $1.62 for colored. Stone workers average $2.87
for whites and $1.42 for colored. Returns from a large number
of miscellaneous occupations show that skilled white workers
average $2.43, and skilled colored men $1.70 per day.
“As compared with northern or foreign labor, 72 per cent. of
the employers say their southern labor is as good; and 5 per
cent. are in doubt.
“As to the comparative value of white and colored skilled
labor, 46 per cent. of the employers say that it is about
equal, 43 per cent. say that negro labor is inferior, and 11
per cent. are in doubt. As to common labor, 54 per cent. say
the white and black are equal in efficiency, 29 per cent. that
the colored labor is the better, and 17 per cent. that the
colored men are inferior to whites.
“As to whether white and colored common laborers are improving
in skill, 35 per cent. of the employers say that they are,
18 per cent. that they are not, 17 per cent. that the whites
are improving more than the colored, and 2 per cent. that the
colored are improving more than the whites. Twelve per cent.
think that colored laborers are improving, 4 per cent. that the
whites are retrograding, and 12 per cent. no improvement in the
colored laborers.
“That the white and colored laborers work together harmoniously
is asserted by 58 per cent. of the employers, while 9 per
cent. declare to the contrary. Twenty-one per cent. reply
affirmatively, with qualifications, and 12 per cent. say that
harmony exists because whites overrule the colored workers.”
Mr. Booker T. Washington advocates the cause of the race from an
industrial point of view. His idea is valuable, and a condition to which
many must concede, if high attainments in laborious circles are sought
for. While Mr. Washington opens this channel, his labors must be preceded
by a successful surveyor, so that the grounded implements may be put in
action. “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” will not then be asked.
Give positions suitable to the accomplishment of the colored men and
women, boys and girls, and do away with Discrimination and Imposition of
Injustice upon them. And then “let them alone.”
Bishop Benjamin F. Lee stands foremost in the educational career, but
always connects “work” with his platform. He is not satisfied with having
filled the souls of men with the glorious tidings of the truth, but may
very appropriately be called the “surveyor” for the physical wants of the
people.
As to colored school teachers, etc., wages have been arranged to a low
price. Some second grade teachers receiving from 25 dollars to 30 dollars
per month; while some 3rd grade teachers receive a stipulated salary of
from 10 to 15 dollars per month. Such a reduction in these cases can only
be attributed to the unfair basis upon which the Boards of Education
conduct the matters to favor their people and impede the progress of the
colored race.