The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-27

latent. but in the last few months there have
been mutterings which promise III for the ne
| groes. The condition In New Orleans in this
respect Is rapidly approaching that OF fifty years
| ago. when tho city became negro by large
majority. calling forth extremely radical legis-
| iation TO make It white again. At that time,
| tho large element OF free negroes found life in
the country parishes very unpleasant because
| OF the strong race prejudice existing, whereas
| IN new Orleans there was comparative free
dom and large free colored society. Every
free negro who could came to the CITY," with
the consequence that when the census was
taken 1t seemed that majority OF the popula-
ton was oolored, This produced such a dis
agreeable impression that the Legislature set
10 work to reduce the negro population OF New
orleans. which was done by such onerous laws
directed against the free negroes. as to drive
many OF them to France. The conditions of
granting slave freedom were such that the
owner was required to give a bond that tho
slave would never become an object OF public
charity. and emanepations became far less
frequent. and the free negro population de-
creased instead OF increased.
There has boon considerable prejudice
aroused against the negroes in New Orleans by
the Tact that they have crowded into many OF
the trades. working for low wages. thus crowd
ing out the whites. They have almost mopop-
olized brckaynG. and oil tho building trades;
and they are doing most OF the paving
and other public work. Against this there
nave been numerous protests from the white
labor unions. and several attempts have been
made to shut out the negroes. but In vain An
attempt is being made to reorganize the
various unions and unite them into a central
council. and il this Is done. the color line may
be drawn. This was not done OF old, and
while the negroes were organized into different
unions, they had the same recognition in the
labor councils: indeed the big strike in New
Orleans. OF ten years ago. which completely
paralyzed the city for few days. was made on
behalf OF negro labor organization, the
Transfers and Leaders Union. But condi-
tons have changed since then. Tho white la
porihe men are growing very restless under
the competition OF the cheap negro labor pour
ed out Of the rural districts and this industrial
coImpetitlon has re-aroused great deal OF tho
old race prejudice.
measures recently directed against the negro,
shutting him out of railroads. &c. An attempt
ture this month TO close the street cars 10 him:
that Is not to ALLOW him to use the same cars
cause Of any sympathy for the negro. but be-
cause the street railroads protested aga inst
an act that would have increased largely their
operating expenses. requiring them to run ex-
The race question in the Southwest - .en-
orally assuming an Industrial form. which Is
operating unfavorahly to the negro by turning
against him the white laooring classes who
work bv negro competition. or that the standard
9f wages is kent low because OF the small pay
Tor which. negroes are willing to work. The
prevalent feeling in the Southwest. therefore.
pa rtcul1rly In those sections where there are
manu- facturcs. Is that 1t would he wholly adj
yantageous to get rid Of the negro altogether.
The result is such demonstrations as those
Of last week at Orange. Tex. and TangipahoA.
La, which are but two OF many similar Incl
dents occurring in al! parts OF the Southwest.
The coming census. therefore. will show de-
crease OF tho negroes In most OF the districts,
cities. where they are badly congested and
liye amid bad sanitary and moral conditions.
There are thousands Of them living on the
outskirts o! New Orleans hudiled in old build
ings. or squatting on deserted lands.