The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-03
LABOR
IN THE SOUTH.

unsettled conditions in the cotton mills
of New England, is almost certain to re-
suit in a considerable movement of New
England operators into the Southern
States within the next few years. The
experience of New England will pro-
badly be duplicated in the South For
many years the mills of the North drew
a large percentage of their operators
from the industrial classes of their imme-
date vicinity. This condition was grad
ually changed by the influx of a foreign
element of which a very marked percen-
tage was French-Canadian. To-day the
percentage of native born operatives Is
comparatively small. The list embraces
different nationalties. In point of num-
Der the English probably follow the "a
nadians; and after the English come the
Portuguese. OF these the Canadians
seem more likely to seek new homes
than any of the others. As they nave
pushed across the border 10 better fhelr
condition: so 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 a cotton manufacturing centre,
within a comparatively brief time. I'm
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 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
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 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 imm-
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 immigra-
ton is TO hold that the Southern cotton
mills are to be an exception to the his
tory of extensive industrial enterprises.
Labor fiOcks to industrial centres by
laws which are almost as fixed as the
laws of gravitation. The South will be
no exception in the experience.
Upon the mind of one of narrow view,
the first impression regarding the incom-
ing of such people. might be that it
meant the approach of an industrial
enemy whose presence would tend 10
limit the opportunities of our home peo-
pie. This proposition contains just
enough of truth to make it a trif1e dan
gerolls. It's error lies in the fact that
competition is not necessarily destruc-
tive; and that it may, and should, result
advantageously Those who are most
apt to come-the French-Canadians-
are far from being an undesirable elc-
ment AS a class they are quiet, sober
peaceable people, industrious and fully
up to the average of intelligence of Deo-
pie of their rank and position in life.
The majority of them come from coun-
try stock, and probably many of them
are not without some practical exper-
fence in the life of the farm. AS imm:-
grants and settlers there are few people
who are more desirable. Their Language
is an idiomatic 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 will result. 1t is pro-
bable that they will bring with them
their ideas, obtained during their exper-
fence i'm New England, of labor organi-
cation. But labor organization is a
most excellent plan, provided the aim
and purpose of the organization be 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 to 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 DE some.
what tinged with the sophistry and error
of blatant demagogues, 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
to 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 ski
and experience, there will remain, fol
many years to come, restraining infiu
ence in the shape of a local populat tor
ready and able to fill their places after
brief education in the work. This fac
they will readily perceive. That supply
of potential operations will serve as /:
balance wheel upon any mistaken ideas
concerning the conditions Of labor which
might be brought in by new element
On the other hand, the local operatives
should be stimulated to higher degret
of efficiency by the very fact of competi
tion with those of longer experience
Such result must follow. If it docs
not, then the foreign labor will hold thu
field to the exclusion of the native, fol
superior workmanship will inevitably
crowd out the inferior. The tendency
nF fbic will no tho ;r,prouopoan& Al,