The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-03-17
Remarks of Senator Gayles,
N THE BILL TO REGULATE AGRIcULrU-
PAT.IARoR CONTRACTS.


RAJ LABOR CONTRACTS.
Ma PRESIDENT: If any good and sui
fcient reasons could be advanced by the
supporters OF this measure, why it should
be placed upon the statute book and
thereby become a law OF this common
wealth. should hesitate to rise in my place
and speak in opposition. But, sir, after a
careful consideration of the provisions OF
this proposed enactment. and the results to
be attained by It's enforcement, am con-
strained to believe that the present
relations existing between the two classes
or races of our people will be materially
disturbed, and discomfort and embarrass-
ment viii prevail to such an extent as to
substantially retard the industrial and
commercial insterests Of our State. | con
ceive that the duty OF legislator is to rep
resent the interests of those, who, by their
votes secure a seat in this chamber, and
while | am here a solitary and alone a Re
publican and a colored man, | yield to no
Senator that spirit of earnestness and activ-
ity in advan cling the interests OF
our State in all that tends towards
its development and progress. But
sir, when ] note the several features OF
this bill, and realize what effect il will pro
duce on the colored laborer, | cannot but
feel that its passage would institute sys
TEN OF vassalage and serfdom that, in this
age, would cast blot on the escutcheOn oil
our State; that would retard Its progress:
and embarrass its mercantile interests
| The happy condition now existing between
the two races should,..in my judgment b'
| fostered. The past, with its peculiar his
| tory. has been relegated to that oblivion
/
| the future should be made bright and in
spring for all classes of our people
whether toilug under the burning sun il
our cotton fields, or engaged in the bus,
marts of commerce. Senators, / appeal t,
your generous spirit in behalf OF the elias
of people upon which rests all industrial
| burdens, and who are to be most affectet
| by the passage Of this act, to resist it
adoption for the reason that its enactmen
is not necessary, and if it were, its provi
sions are not designed to keep what labo
we have, or to induce any others to come
4 law similar to this prevails in the Car
olinas and Georgia, and the result is ap
parent daily by the carloads of laborer
through our State to the Western States
fleeing from its oppressive features to lo
calities where the laborer is worthy of hi
hire, and free to invest that hire as
pleases him best.
Mr. President, | cannot believe that thi
Senate, comprising as it does, the intelli
gence, thrift, energy, and culture, OF thi
State, is ready to legislate in such a wa
as to encourage or precipitate a spirit {
unrest amongst our laboring classes, tina
would for years cripple our agriculture
interests and drive our labor forth to DIVE
in strange land amongst strangers.
maintain, sir, that It is OF the most vita
Importance to the future prosperity of thi
section that the relations between labor an
capital shall be so just and equitable as
keep our borders free from the dire conse
quences OF communism and other DEVILS
teachings that are to-day affecting the il
dustrial eenters of this and the Easter
| Hemisphere, Legislation as here propose
has its examples, which have proved ur
profitable, and with this demonstrated ez
perienee, | trust that this bill will fail I
receive votes enough to secure it a plac
On our statute book
1.-THE bill was indefinitely postponed ]