The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-05-06
TIE SOUTHERN LABOR PROBLEM.

Organization of the MIssIAsIppI Valley
Labor Convention - HRrmonIzIng the
Conflicting Interests OF Land Owners
and LabOrers = Politics to be Elm.
mated from the Councils OF the Con.
TentIOn.
VIcKsBuRG, May y5.-The Mississippi Val.
ley Labor Convention met this afternoon
at the Southern Concert Garden, the OPP.
era House, which was intended as the
place Of holding the Convention, was too
small. There were fully 400 delegates
present, every county and parish on the
Mississippi river between Helena, Ark,
and New Orleans being represented.
The Convention was called to order by
E. D. Farrar, Chairman OF the Committee
of Arrangements. Gen. w. R. Miles, oi
Holmes county, Miss, was made tenn
porary chairman.
Gen. Miles in brief speech stated the
object of the Convention, which was for
better understanding between capitalists,
land owners and laborers Of the south. II
was the old question that had disturbed
the world ever since industry had been or
ganized as capital and labor. Addressing
the colored portion Of the Convention,
the speaker said: "God OF nature had
made the colored man tropical plant.
The South was his home according to
divine dispensation, but ii any desired to
emigrate to Kansas or elsewhere no hu-
man power can prevent you. You have
the same right to go as l have" Turning
to the whites he said: "You are owners
OF soil, and you should be honest in your
transactions with the colored man."
On motion committee OF twenty was
appointed on permanent organization.
Pending the absence OF the committee,
ex-Gov. Henry S. Foote being called on,
addressed the Convention. He said he
had come at the earnest request OF the
Cotton Exchange OF New Orleans to lend
what power and influence he possessed
toward harmonizing the conflicting inter
ests OF the great Mississippi Valley. He
urged all, both white and colored, TO shut
their eyes TO the past, and hand in hand
work together for the future prosperity oi
their native land.
The following report OF the Committee
on Permanent Organization was then
adopted:
President-Gen. W. R. Miles, of Holmes
Vice Presidents II. F. Cassell, Mem.
phis, Tenn; Jas. Hill, Jackson, Miss. H
B. Robinson, Helena, Ark, and David
Young, Concordia, La. All the Vice
Presidents are colored.
Secretary-A. w. Crandall, Madison
Parish, La,
Alter appointing Committee on Gre
dentials the Convention adjourned fol
one hour.
On reassembling, the Committee on Gre
dentials reported every capitalist, ,merchan
and farmer who had come in response Il
the cali should be entitled to voice II
the proceedings Of the Convention. Also
Iall those who had credentials from the
county and parish convention: Before the
vote was taken on the report ofthe commit
tee, Rev. Chas. Thompson, (coloredl Chair
man OF the State Immigration Society, o
Louisiana, addressed the Convention
His remarks were directed particularly Il
the colored men. He said he hoped thl
colored men would refrain from voting OF
any of the resolutions or reports introduc
ed. They were here to hear the propoo
sails OF the whites, who constituted capital
lists. merchants and owners OF land. lie
them come forward with their guarantees
and II satisfactory endorse them, other
wise state your objections.
The speakerwas followed by w. ii. Rob
inson, tcolored), a large farmer OF Phillip
county, Ark, In the same strain whicI
advice Is generally given and needed, 10
,,han a vote was taken on the report onl
the whites voted.
Acommittee Of thirteen on resolutions
were appointed by the Chair to whom q
. the resolutions introduced were reierre
! without debate. ana.
The Convention then adjourned till0A
NJ. tomorrow. go. -,
which was read; -. III.
! ResolNi, That this Convention Deln
called to assemble to take into cohsl1ets
r ton the material interest oil the people y
D respective OF party or color, no resoiuuol
I. Of political character shall be entertaihe
o by the chair, and debate on such que
tions shall be out OF order.
0 The spirit Of the Convention Ioware
the close was most harmonious, and gre
, henefits are anticipated as tho resnl
/ There seems TO be a general feeling TO col
!. cnssions from both whites and colored.
I The report OF the Committee on Kesoll
4 ,;ons wilI Il Is thought, favor reducao
Sttbe Nth nice Of rent for land less exorp
/, tsnt ~ ESas forneQeSsari oil living, ana
i sansa .aos I General @ recognition Of the polite
o L;Sht. h 81 the colored man. The gener1
sant;nent among the delegates OF Dol
= | 80, favor snch resolutions.