The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-06-23
SUMTER S. c.. WEDNESDAY. JUNE 23 1897.

~ ~ a
ed many from tired aud enforced 10
diligence. 10 idleness but 10
stead of JOY aud giadness
i: brought sadaess and tears to the
cheeks of large and respectable por-
tion of our communits Il sounded
the death knell to all their hopes and
patient visiting it struck 10: their
ears as the harbinger of the peace.
prosperity and better days they we're
looking lopgiogly for aud praying to
come. but as the advance sigoal Of con-
tiaued inactivity and waot.
Some bad applied snd been refused
employment because their complexion
clearly indicated they we're not tioged
with negro blood. Still they could no.
realize that evidences Of amalgacaation
aud not long years of experience were
prerequisite to procure employment in
the lately revised Charleston mills.
But doubt was dispelled and truth fash.
ed over their minds as they watched
the Degroes move in the direction of
the mills Seesb,ag contempt for the
propagators Of this diabolical con.
spiracy against white labor Of the
south fired the cheeks, dried the eyes
and filed femioioe hearts with indigna.
ton. aud had their voices been equal to
the mills blast, Mr.. Witte would have
quaked upon bis luxuriouscouch of ease,
aud sworn by all his gods nothing is
less desirable than mongrel co t,oo
mill presidency:
+ Indeed, the unexpected has happen
ed. Who could read the history Of
Charleston aud predict she would be the
FIRST city of the western world to pro-
duce negro-loving cotton mill presi-
dent: the frs to issue manifesto de-
clariug it to be bondholders' purpose to
mix whites aud blacks 10 southern
mills !; the 6rss &c repudiate social dts
.inction in labor and subjec. the young.
beautiful asd innocent Of our so1thlspd,
on whom fortune has not smiled, to
competing for bread at the side of the
unconth Africans. whose great physical
powers adapt them for more arduous
and equally needy pursuits
Oar objection, as operatives. to adj
hitting coiored people to the textile To-
dustries is an admission of their ceoa-
bility to become skilled operatives IF.
as some say. they are incapable of ac-
quiripg the knowledge necessary 10 this
branch, then We operatives have nosh-
ing to apprehend. but it IS our opinion
they are as susceptible here as else
where. and it is we'll known in every
craft where they have acquired koowl.
edge that deterioration of wages set 10 /.
For this reason. bondholders are will
ing TO epend $4,000 or $4,000 for
educating them, claiming it to be an
investment certain to yield large divi-
denas.
Il is currently reported sha. Superio-
tendent Hayden entered into a
contract with the mill com
pany to furnish them 800
thoroughly efficient colored operatives
in oce year, or forfeit all claims against
the company. bat if be succeeds is to
have s8 per day and bones of S5.-
900 For his years services. In addi-
ton to other expenses this seems to be
fabulous sum. But it is reasoned
among them, by Distribution.
this 500 can equip 5000
or more at less than it took to pre-
pare the first 800. and 10 three years
southern cotton mill stocks will be
quoted at double their present value.
Increased stock means impoverishment
Of help Creator of paupers that mast
sooner OF later fall to public charge.
This is no pbilanthrop;c movement.
as the language of a city Journal lodi
Gates. aud "gives these poor people a
chance to live, /" but an effort on the
part of capitalists to curtail the opera
tives' scapty living By destroying their
opportunities, as this negro horde has
done in every other branch where they
have gained footing. This is net our
only Dor most serious objection. Aod
is it sufficient to call forth all our ener.
gies 10 opposing it; to call to our aid
all those who desire to see our south
land, and got few iodivid uals. pros
per, grow rich aud fat under the impe-
,us she has lately received from Divine
provision
If the colorei peoples services are
so invaluable. then Charleston. with
every corner and crevice overfowing,
should be the princess of the western
world. Clad 10 royal regalia. JOY and
mirth should be 10 evey home, With
tables groar,ug beneath their rich bur.
dens and every appetite appeaaed from
the cream of the world. But alas /!