The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-04-05
LABOR
IN THE SOUTH.

Nv I'LL wv
To the Editor: The recent disturbance
and the probability of a continuance Of
unsettled conditions in the cotton mills
Of New England, IS almost certain to re-
suit i'll a considerable movement of New
England operators nto the Southern
States within the neXt.few years. Tn
experience of New England viii pro
badly be duplicated i'll the South For
many years the mills Of the North drew
i large percentage Of their operators
from the industrial classes of their imlne-
diatc vicinity. This condition was grad
ually changed by the influx of Il foreign
element, Of which i very marked percen-
tagc was Frencl-Canadian. To-day the
| percentage OF native born operatives is
comparatively small. The list embraces
different nationalticS. III point Of mum
Der the English probably follow the Ca
nadianS: and after the English come the
Portuguese. OF these the Canadians
seem more likely 10 seek new homes
than any Of the others. As they have
pushed across the border to better their
condition; 50 are they likely to push
Southwark for the same purpose.
There seems to be, at the present
time, little ground upon which to rest
any denial of the supremacy of the
South as 4 cotton manufacturing centre.
within Il comparatively brief time. Tn
less some new unseen condition shall
arise by which our present market may
be indefinitely extended, the shifting of
the cotton manufacturing centre will
leave many a New England operative
out of work. Work will then be sought
where work is going on. 1t is stated
that a few small bands of pioneers are
already here. and that others are CON
templating a Southwark movement.
Should the immigration Of these people
assume. as it is more than likely it will.
any very considerable proportions. new
elements and new conditions will be
presented in the social and Industrial life
Of the South. There will arise problems
with which the South has not been
widely familiar. Among them will be
that Of the ABSORPTION ;nto
the social and industrial econo-
my. of possibly large numbers
of people of distinctly different
race and tongue. That they will be as
simulated here as they have been else
where s Il proposition which requires no
discussion. but some consideration Of
probable results may be Of interest.
Assuming. as it is wholly within
bounds to assume. that such an immi-
cation is almost inevitable. there arises
the question Of its effect upon the in
dustrial life of the section. To deny the
strong probability of such an immisra-
ton is to hold that the Southern cotton
mills are to be an exception to the his
tory Of extensive industrial enterprises.
Labor tlocks to industrial centres by
laws which are almost as iXed as the
laws of gravitation. The South will be
no exception III the experience.
Upon the mind of one of marrow view.
the first impression regarding the incom-
ing of such people. might be that il
meant the approach of an industrial
enemy whose presence would tend to
limit the opportunities of our home peo-
pie. This proposition contains Just
enough of truth to make il a tritlc dan
gcrouS. Its error lies i'll the fact that
competition is not necessarily destruc-
tive: and that it may, and should, result
adEantaGeou~ly. Those who are most
apt to comc-the lTrcnch-Canadians-
are far from being an undesirable Gle
ment. AS Il class they are quiet. sober,
peaceahlc people, industrious and fully
up to the average of intelligence of peo-
pie Of their rank and position in life.
The majority Of them come from coun-
try stock, and probably mary of them
are not without some practical eXner-
fence IN the life Of the farm. As imm:-
grants and settlers there are few people
who are more desirable. Their Language
is an idionlatic French, and many of
them speak little or no English.
1t IS far easier to say what might
result from the coming of such people,
than TO say what VIII result. 1t is pro
bable that they will bring with them
their ideas, obtained during their Xpe
renee III New England, Of labor Organi-
Zatloli. But labor organization is 4
most excellent plan, provided The aim
and purpose of the organization he along
legitimate and suitable lines. All labor
should be organized. as are most Of our
commercial interests. for purposes OF
mutual benefit. and should be keenly
alive 10 all movements which affect, for
good or for bad, the special department
in which each is interested. The curse
Of labor organizations is the labor agi-
tatOr. 1t is unfortunate that the ideas
Of these people are likely to be some
what tinged with the sophistry and error
Of blatant ~dcmagOgues, whose influence
has far more frequently resulted in evil
than in good. But it is doubtful
If any trouble arise from this fact. even
though the labor agitator were to fol
low the people. New conditions of life
will be presented in what will be to them
a new country and they will be obliged
20 adapt themselves to the conditions.
rather than to seek the adoption of con-
ditions to their views. Should they
come to be at all widely employed in
Southern mills by reason Of their skill
and experience, there will remain, for
many years to come. a restraining influ-
encc III the shape of a local population
ready and able to fill their places after a
brief education in the work. This Fact
they will readily perceive. That supply
of potential operations will serve as 4
balance wheel upon any mistaken ideas
concerning the conditions of labor which
might be brought in by Il new element.
On the other hand, the local operatives
should be stimulated to a higher degree