The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-10-13
ROOSEVELT Is RESPONSIBLE.
Some Results of His Position on the
Race eQuestion-What Northern 1an
Residing in the South Says on the
Subject.

AS proof that the negro question
is something more than Southern |
problem from social standpoint |
and affects Northern business men as
we'll as Southern planters and busi- |
ness men | submit to the readers OF
this correspondence the following IN |
terview with IL thoroughly reliable
and responsible gentleman.
Mr.. Robert NJ. Norman, who for
Il number of years has been Wash
ineton correspondent of some of the
leading Southern newspapers, has
Just returned to this city after an
absence OF six months in the South.
In an interview he points out II re-
suit of ROoseveltism in that section
that has not generally been com
mented upon.
"The negro problem, which has
been so aggravated by President
Roosevelt's actions, presents an i'll
dustrial as well as Il social phase,
said Mr. Norman. The industrial
side of the question seems to have
been overshadowed by President
Roosevelt's startling social equality
ideas and well nigh lost to view.
There is in the South a labor ques-
ton that in time, if Rooseveltism
continues, will become a vital prob
lem. Indeed, it is now rapidly APP
preaching Il crisis. Negroes are re-
fusing to work even at good wages.
Why? To be exact, there are two
general reasons:
First. ROOseveltism.
Second. The temporary prosper
ity of the country.
"President Roosevelt's negro pol
lev has made the negro believe that
he is so exalted that work is beneath
him. speak of the negro in general.
Many of our Northern friends do not
fknow the real thing in the negro line
He SAYS: 'We are better than white
folks now and we won't work nc
more. That man in the White House
is our friend; the great United States
government is behind us. We are
safe.
; 1T is very difficult to get field
hands in the South. COtton-choppers
and cotton-pickers are in demand
and the crops suffer much for lack o
labor. House servants are procured
E with the greatest difficulty, even a
good wages. The good housewives
and fiat-wives of Washington alst
i doubtless experience this trouble
! This, too. when negroes loaf abou
in large numbers without any vislbl
means of support and refuse worI
with scOrn.
"a few weeks ago coming int
Washington l shared IL seat Oh III
!, train with a prosperous old gentle
! man from Mobile. He had moves
J. there from the North-Massachusett
think. He was on his way to th
h G. A. r. encampment. The CONVEX
Il sation turning to politics, | was SUI
q prised when he remarked wit
l. vehemence: Roosevelt has playe
t h (pretty good Unitad State
, language) in the South. | am in tn
i shipping business, but it is with til
: greatest difficulty that | can get III
e groes to work on my boats, althoug
r. there are gangs OF them lying aroun
r. idle. A few weeks ago one OF IN
r boats, full of passengers, was delaye
is 24 hours because | could not 90
sc labor. They say they don't have t
J. work now since Roosevelt Is III I'll
,e White House.
It "The general prosperous condltIo
j. of the country has given the negro
" little money and the negro, us a rul
o when he gets a little money ahea
- quits work until that is eXhauste
if Many negroes, too, have move
10 North. This has in part account'
)r for the scarcity of labor. But Roos
al veltism is the root OF great porto
i'll of the evil.
,d THE social aspect of the case
Y" bad enough, but the South can coI
in with that. The Southerner, If ne'
n be, can drive tramp away from i
n house, but he cannot force him in
is "A cotton-field behind n mule. 1t
y. the industrial question that is goll
,e- to give rs much, ii not more troul
,s than the social problem.
ri The result: The South right M
-e- is dependent solely, you might sa
no. on negro labor. ii the negroes refr
to to work the production Of crops v
It fall Off ii crops fall off, there is Il
nd cash money: il there is less Gil
money there will be less purchase
goods-an ultimate and logical iii
reaction on Northern and Eastf
merchants. Ii little while of Roo
'e'S Welt has assisted in producing pr
." ent conditions. what will four M
'uir wears OF Roosevelt do? Whate
al hurts the business interests OF
c'- South hurts the business interests
on1 the North and East The impor
'he ton OF good white labor-not ows
ana or ovitches-but quiet, industri'
RS immigration offers Il possible 80
ton of the question, but immigr'
on. labor * n new thing i'll the Sol
and its accomplishment would tai
ry- long time. Until then, what?