Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-05

recognizing the negro race by appoint
ments must exercise a careful discretion
not thereby to do it more harm than
good. On the other hand we must be
careful to encourage the mere pretense of
race feeling manufactured in the interest
of individual political ambition.
Personally l have not the slightest
race prejudice or feeling, and recogni-
tion of it's existence only awakens in
my heart a deeper sympathy for those
who have to bear il or suffer from it.
and 1 question the wisdom OF a policy
which is likely to increase 1t. Mean
stime, if nothing is done TO prevent,
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 bene-
fitted by the industrial and intellectual
progress of the negro. The exercise OF
political franchises by those of his race
who are intelligent and weli-to-dO will
be acquiesced in, and the right to vote
will be withheld only from the ignorant
and irresponsible Of both races.
There is one other matter to which
shall refer. 1t was made the subject OF
great controversy during the election.
and calls for at least a passing refer
ence now. My distinguished predecessor
of labor, with whose struggle for better
things he has shown the sincerest sym
pathy. At his instance, congress has
passed the bill fixing the liability of in
| terstate carriers to their employees for
| injury sustained in the course Of en-
| ployment, abolishing the rule of fellow
servant and the common law rule as TO
contributory negligence. 1t has also
passed a law fixing the compensation
OF government employees for injuries
sustained in the employ of the govern
ment through the negligence of the
superior. 1t also passed model chilc
labor law for the District OF Columbia. II
previous administrations and arbi-
tration law for interstate commerce rail-
roads and their employees, and laws for
| the application of safety devices to save
the lives and limbs of employees of in
terstate railroads had been passed. Ad-
| ditional legislation OF this kind was
passed by the outgoing congress.
1 wish to say that in so far as can.
L hope to promote the enactment or
lurther legislation OF this character.
am strongly convinced that the govern
ment should make itself as responsible
to employees injured in it's employ as an
interstate railway corporation is MADE
responsible by federal law TO its en-
ployes; and L shall be glad, whenever
any additional reasonable safety device
to urge be invented 10 reduce the loss OF
life and limb among railway, empioyes,
% urge congress to require its adoption
by Interstate railways
Another labor question has arisen
which has awakened the most excited
Discussion. That is in respect to the pow
er of the federal courts to issue injunc-
lions in industrial disputes. AS to that
my convictions are fixed. Take away
from courts. il 1t 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 number from a most
needful remedy available to all men for
the protection of their business against
lawless invasion. The proposition that
business is not a property or pecuniary
right which can be protected by equit-
able Injunction is utterly without founda-
ton in precedent or reason. The propo-
sition is usually linked with one to make
the secondary boycott lawful. Such d
proposition is at variance with the Amer
lean instinct and will find no support in
my judgment when submitted to the
American people. The secondary boy
colt is an instrument OF tyranny. and
ought not to be made legitimate.
The issuing of a temporary restraining
stances been abused by its inconsiderate
exercise, and to remedy this, the plat
form upon which 1 was elected recon-
mends the formulation in a statute Of
the conditions under which such a tenn
porary restraining order ought to issue.
A statute can and ought to be framed
to embody the best modern practice, and
can bring the subject so closely to the at
tention of the court as to make abuses
OF the process unlikely in the future.
American people. If / understand them.
insist that the authority of the courts
shall be sustained and are opposed to any
change in the procedude by which the
powers Of a court may be weakened and
the fearless and effective administration
of Justice be interfered with.
Having thus reviewed the questions
likely to recur during my administration.
and having expressed in a summary way
the position which l expect to take in
recommendations to congress and in my
conduct as All executive. 1 invoke the
considerable sympathy and support of my
fellow citizens, and the aid of Almighty
God in the discharge of my responsible
duties.
IN A MN m KEG n ami IN