The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-12-05

at the END OF the o!glt2enLn century,
TO human wisdom coIld foretcli the
sweeping changes, alike in industrial
and political conditions. which were 20
take place by the beginning OF The
twentieth century. At that time it w2s
accepted as matter C; course that tie
several States were the proper autnor:-
ties to regulate. SO far as was tnen
necessary, the comparatively insigniti-
cant and strictly localized corporate
bodies of the day. The conditions are
now wholly different and wholly diff
ferent action is called fer. l believe
that law can be framed which will
enable the National Government TO eZ-
ercise control along the lines above in
dicatcd; profting by the experience
gained through the passage and admin
istration of the Interstate-C Commerce
Act. If, however, the judgment of the
Congress is that it lacks the constitu-
tional power to pass such an act, then
constitutional amendment should be
submitted to ccnier the power.
There should be created a Cabine1t
officer, to be known as Secretary OF
Commerce and Industries, as provided
in the bill introduced at the last ses-
sion Of the Congress. 1t should be his
province to deal with commerce in its
broadest sense; including among many
other things whatever concerns labor
and all matters affecting the great
business corporations and our mer-
chant marine.
The course proposed Is one phase of
what should be comprehensive and
far-reaching scheme of constructive
steamship for the purpose Of broaden
ing our markets, securing our business
interests on Il safe basis, and max 'ng
firm cur new position in the interna-
tional industrial world; while scrupu-
lously safeguarding the rights of
wage-worker and capitalist, of investor
and private citizen, so as to secure
equity as between man and man in this
Republic.
The Farmer and Waee-Worker.
With the sole exception Of the farm
ing interest, no one matter is Of such
vital moment to our whole people as
the welfare Of the wage-workers. II
the farmer and the wage-worker are
we'll off, it Is absolutely certain that all
others will be we'll off too. 1t Is there
fore matter for hearty congratulaticn
that On the whole wages are higher to-
day in the United States than ever be-
fore in our history, and far higher than
in any other country. The standard OF
living Is also higher than ever before.
Every effort ofilegislator and admins
traitor should be bent to secure the
permanency Of this condition of things
and its Improvement wherever pos
sible. Not only must our labor be pro-
tected by the tariff, but it should ALSO
be protected so far as 1t is possible
from the presence in this country Of
any laborers brought over by contract,
or Of those who; coming freely, yet rep
resent q standard Of living so depressed
that they can undersell our men in the
labor market and drag them to lower
level regard it as necessary, with
4 this end In view, TO re-enact fmmeui
ateiy the law excluding Chinese labor
ers and to strengthen 1t wherever lee
essary in order to make its enforce
ment entirely effective.
The National Government should lie
mand the highest quality Of servic
from It's employees; and in return
should be a good employer. If possibi
legislation should be passed, in connec
ton with the Interstate Commerc
Law, which will render effective III
efforts Of different States. to do ava.
with the competition OF convict con
tract labor in the open labor market
So far as practicable under the condi
ton of Government work. prov:sio
should be made 10 render the enforce
sive hours Of labor, from night work
and from work under unsanitary con
ditions. The Government should pro
| vide in it's contracts that all worl
should be done under fair" conditions
and in addition to setting high stan
dard should uphold it by proper in
spection. extending if necessary TO til
subcontractors. The Governuied
should forbid all night work for wonc!
and children. as well as excessive over
time. For the District Of Columbia ;
good factory law should lie passed; ani
as a powerful indirect aid to such laws
provision should be made to turn th(
inhahitatad alleys, the existence @
which Is a reproach to our Capital City
into minor streets, where the inhabi
| tants can live under conditions favor
, able to health and morals.
American wage-workers work with
their heads as we'll as their hands
, Moreover, they take keen pride in
what they are doing; so that, indepead
ent OF the reward. they wish to turn
out a perfect job. This is the great Sc
cret Of our success in competition With
| the labor Of foreign countries.
The most vital problem with which
this country, and for tha
matter the whole civilized worl:
has to deal, is the prob
lem which has for one side the better
ment OF social conditions. moral and
physical, in large cities, and for
another side the effort to deal with
that tangle of far-reaching questions
which we group together when We
speak Of labor" The chief factor in
the success of each man-wage-w worker,
farmer, and capitalist alike-must ever
be the sum total Of his own individual
qualities and abilities. Second only to
80 i,,o IN,