The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-29
Labor and the South.

The Democratic party Is constantly
attempting to pose as the particular
friend OF the labor element of the coun-
try: not on the strength Of any past
performances. but solely on the profess
sIons of certain Of the more blatant
leaders. To some extent these profess
sions have been accepted by the men
for whose benefit they have been made.
no careful investigation being had to
see whether performance has ever kept
step with professions. In doing so the
labor element has forgotten that the
great majority of the Democratic mem
bers OF both houses Of congress are from
the Southern states. and that the sole
pretense which the Democrats have to
standing as members OF national party
is due to the Solid South. With the
Southern states eliminated from con-
sideration. the Democratic party would
hardly be more OF political factor than
the Populistic party. and of scarcely
more Importance than Debs' Social De-
mocracy.
with the Southern Democrats the la
Dor problem and the negro problem are
inseparable. Labor In the South means
negro labor; and 1t is to the cheapness.
abundant supply and tractability OF this
class OF labor that the South looks for
the development of It's Industrial re-
sources and the upbuilding OF its manu-
factories. Naturally. anything which
would tend to make this labor less cheap
and less docie meets with opposition
from tho men who represent the domi-
rant element OF the South-the element
which refuses to the negro his political
rights or any place in the social econ
omy, save as a mere machine for the
production of so much work: to be kept
in subordination, socially and politically,
to the superior race.
In the abstract form OF a national
platform the Southern members OF con-
gress will cheerfully join with their
ton which may be asked on the subject
of the rights OF labor and the necessity OF
legislation In Its interest II the coming
national convention should make a dec
laratlon upholding the Occur dAlene
dynamiters. and denouncing the admin
istration Tor obeying the constitutional
mandate and honorlng the requlsition Of
the Democratic governor OF Idaho for
troops to suppress the lnsurrection in
that state, IL is probable that not a
single voice from the South will be
raised against such declaration
when. however II comes down TO con-
crete legislation. seriously proposed In
the interests OF labor. the negro prob
lem Is foremost In the thoughts " every
Southern congressman. and he Is
promptly in opposition.
An illustration OF this is seen in the
recent report OF the Industrial commits
sion. That report recommended the In
troducticn OF the eight hour day In GER
tain specific industries. such. for ex-
ample. "a in underground work In coal
mines and In railroad operation. 10 be
enforced by federal legislation so far as
possible under the constitution. and 70
b. recommended for concurrent enact
Meut by the legislatures OF the several
states In cases where the federal gov
ernment had no right TO interfere
There vas minority report on this
subject Ny three members OF the com
mission. They were John w. Daniel
United States senator from Virginia
Charles J. Harris. OF Dillsboro, n. C,
and Ellison A. Snythe, Of Pelzer. S. c.
They strenuously opposed any Iegisla-
ton limiting the hours OF labor.
Coal mining in the south is done
largely by negro laborers. working
longer hours and for lower pay than the
white miners Of the North Any ma
tlonai legislation which would shorten