The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-03-04

ciety, on the farm and in the shop and
in other occupations, may come. The
negroes are now Americans. Their
ancestors came here years ago against
their will, and this is their only coun-
try and their only flag. They have
shown themselves anxious to live for
it and to die for it. Encountering the
race feeling against them, subjected
at times to cruel injustice growing out
Of it, they may well have our profound
sympathy and aid in the struggle they
are making. We are charged with the
sacred duty Of making their path as
smooth and easy as we can. Any
recognition Of their distinguished men,
any appointment to Office from among
heir number, Is properly taken as en-
Encouragement and an appreciation of
their progress, and this just policy
hall be pursued.
The Appointment Of Negroes.
But it may well admit of doubt
whether in case Of any race an ap-
pointment Of one of their number to
a local Office in a community in which
the race feeling is so widespread and
acute as to interfere with the ease and
facility with which the local govern
ment business can be done by the ap-
pointee is of sufficient benefit by way
of encouragement to the race to out
weigh the recurrence and increase of
race feeling which such an appoint
ment is likely to engender. Therefore
the executive in recognizing the negro
race by appointments must exercise
careful discretion not thereby to do it
more harm than good. On the other
hand, we must be careful not to en-
courage the mere pretense of race feel
ing manufactured in the interest Of in
dividual political ambition.
No Race Feeling In White House.
Personally 1 have not the slightest
race prejudice or feeling, and recogni-
ton Of its existence only awakens in
my heart a deeper sympathy for those
who have to bear it or suffer from it,
and I question the wisdom of Il policy
which is likely to increase it. Mean
time, If nothing IS done to prevent q
better feeling between the negroes and
the whites in the south will continue
to grow, and more and more of the
white people will come to realize that
the future of the south is to be much
benefited by the Industrial and intel
lectual progress Of the negro The ex-
ercise Of political franchises by those
of his race who are intelligent and
we'll to do will be acquiesced in, and
the right to vote will be withheld only
from the ignorant and irresponsible of
both races.
The Labor Question.
There is one other matter to which
shall refer. 1t was made the subject
OF great controversy during the cleo
ton and calls for at least passing
reference now. My distinguished pred
ecessor has given much attention to
the cause of labor, with whose strug-
gle for better things he has shown the
sincerest sympathy. At his instance
congress has passed the bill fixing the
liability of interstate carriers to their
employees for injury sustained in the
course of employment, abolishing the
rule of fellow servant and the common
law rule as to contributory negligence
and substituting therefor the so called
rule of comparative negligence. 1t has
also passed a law fixing the compen-
sation of government employees for
injuries sustained in the employ of the
government through the negligence of
the superior. 1t also passed a model
child labor law for the District of Co.
lumbia. In previous administrations
an arbitration law for interstate COM
merce railroads and their employees
and laws for the application of safety
devices to save the lives and limbs Of
employees Of interstate railroads had
been passed. Additional legislation of
this kind was passed by the outgoing
congress.
wish to say that, in so far as can,
l hope to promote the enactment of
further legislation Of this character.
l am strongly convinced that the gov
eminent should make itself as respon-
sible to employees injured in it's en-
ploy as an interstate railway corpora
ton is made responsible by federal
law to its employees, and l shall be
glad, whenever any additional reasona-
BILE safety device can be invented to
reduce the loss Of life and limb among
railway employees, to urge congress
to require it's adoption by interstate
railways.
Use Of lnjunctions Necessary.
Another labor, question has arisen
which has awakened the most excited
discussion. That is in respect to the
power of the federal courts to issue
injunctions in Industrial disputes. AS
to that, my convictions are fixed. Take
away from courts, if it could be taken
away, the power to issue injunctions
IN labor disputes, and it would create
a privileged class among the laborers
and save the lawless among their num-
hn,s