The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-10
A vExATIous SOUTHERN PROBLEM

One Of the gravest DEVELOPMENTS or
features OF the negro problem in the
South Is the growing disposition OF the
negro to leave the country and congre-
gate In the towns and cities. This move
ment is chiefly serious for two reasons.
because his labor is needed on the planta-
lions and again because his presence In
large numbers in the towns is not conduit
Give to his own good morals or to good
order.
But this trouble arises from the nat
ural temperament OF the negro and Is.
therefore. doubly difficult as problem
to be practically solved in the interest
both of the white farmers and the negro
himself. To attribute their peculiar mi
grafton to the towns and cities to politi-
cal reasons, or racial prejudices. as the
Chicago Tribune does, is simply silly.
The Tribune thinks that it Is the result
of "lynchings and dIsfranchisement."
Lynchings and Acknowledgement have
nothing whatever TO do with the subject.
The Chicago paper only again demon
s;rates that 1t knows little about the re-
lations between the whites and blacks
in the South and less about the motives
and pecuiarites of the negro.
! The blacks are gregarlous by instinct to
a high degree They want company They
like 10 enjoy themselves, too. They find
both company and enjoyment in the cities
and large towns. Pay negro farm hand
his wages and II is next to impossible
TO keep him at work He must imme-
dlately take a trip. He wants 10 spend
his money, to see the sights and Indulge
in the pastimes, and. ottenest, the vices
OF the city. II he returns 10 the farm
when his wages are gone the planter ac-
counts himself fortunate--if the busy sea-
son is on. II employment can be secured
In the population center the Abandonment
Of the plantation Is permanent. And as
the Southern cities and towns continue
TO grow and mills and business and rough
work of all kinds multiply the opportuni-
ties for employment become the greater
to the negroes and they gladly seize them
This Is the simple and natural solution
OF the question. Politics and racial pre-.
judlces do not enter into the matter at all
How tho planters are to meet this diff.
flculty is yet undetermined They bavC
tried IN many ways 20 reach a successful
solution. The law has been invoked, but
with only passlal relief II we had a
steady stream OF white farm labor coming
from the North and from abroad to me
South the question would soon settle
tself-the negro would find himself grad
ually crowded out. But then his condl-
tion would become pitiable, or else he
would become a greater public charge
than now. What the final outcome will
be can not now be said. The Post only
mentions the matter To enter an en-
phatic denial to the charge that the grow
ing congregation OF the negroes in the
towns and cities and the consequent en-
barrassment OF the planters Is due tc
I. political causes-,o 'lynchlngs and dis.
reimbursement"
Possibly the cities and towns could aid
materially and directly in relieving such
conditions as are complained OF by more
general and move vigorous enforcement OF
the laws, and a more vigilant protection
OF personal property OF all kinds.