Mexico Missouri message., 1909-03-11


the western coast Of South America,
and. indeed, with some OF the Inn
portant ports ON the east coast Of
South America reached by rail from
the west coast. The work on the
canal n making most satisfactory
progress. The type Of the canal az q
lock canal was fixed by congress after
q full consideration OF the conficting
reports OF the majority and minority
Of the consulting board. and after the
accommodation Of the war depart
ment and the executive upon those
reports. Recent suggestion that some
thing had occurred on the isthmus TO
make the lock type OF the canal less
feasible than II was supposed 70 bo
when the reports were made and the
policy determined on, led to a visit TO
tho isthmus Of a board OF competent
engineers to examine the Gatun dam
and locks which are the key Of the
lock type. The report Of that board
shows that nothing has occurred In
the nature OF newly revealed evil
dence which should change the views
once formed In the original discussion.
The construction will go on under
most effective organization controlled
by Col. Cocktails and his fellow army
engineers associated with him, and
will certainly DO completed early In
the next administration. II not before.
South and the Negroes.
I look forward with hope to increas-
ing the already good feeling between
the south and the other sections Of
the country. My chief purpose is not
TO effect a change In the electoral vote
Of the southern states. That is q sec
ondary consideration. What l look for
ward to is an increase In the tolerance
OF political viewsof all kinds and their
advocacy throughout the south, and
the existence of a respectable political
opposition in every state; even more
than this, TO an increased feeling on
the part OF all the people In the south
that this government Is their govern
ment, and that its officers In theii
states are their officers.
The consideration OF this question
cannot, however, be complete and full
without reference to the negro race.
its progress and its present condition.
The 18th amendment secured them
freedom; the 18th amendment due
process Of law. protection OF property
and the pursuit Of happiness; and the
18th amendment attempted to secure
the negro against any deprivation Of
the privilege to vote, because he was
negro. The 18th and 14th amend
ments have been generally enforced
and have secured the objects for
which they were intended. While the
18th amendment has not been gener-
ally observed in the past II ought 70
be observed, and the tendency Of
southern legislation to-day is toward
the enactment OF electoral qualifca-
tons which shall square with that
amendment.
Laws for Labor's Benefit.
There is one other matter TO which
shall refer II was made the subject
OF great controversy during the cleo
ton and calls for at least passing
reference now. My distinguished prede
cessor has given much attention TO the
cause OF labor, with whose struggle
for better things he has shown the sin
cerest sympathy. At his instance. con
gress has passed the bill fixing the liza
bility OF interstate carriers to theiI
employees for injury sustained in the
course Of employment, abolIshing the
rule OF fellowservant and the common
law rule as to contributory negligence
Il has also passed a law fixing tbs
compensation Of government employees
for injuries sustained In the employ
Of the government through the negli
gence Of the superior. II also passet
model child labor law for the Dis
trict Of Columbia In previous admin
: istrations an arbitrary law for inter
state commerce railroads and thei
employees, and laws for the application
: of safety devices to save the lives ant
limbs OF employees OF interstate rail-
roads had been passed. Additions
legislation OF this kind was passed b.
: the outgoing congress-.
wish to say that In 80 far as
} can, hope 10 promote the enactmen
Of further legislation OF this charaC
/ ter. am strongly convinced that tn
( government should make itself as r.
I sponsible to employees Injured In II
: employ az an interstate railway col
D poration Is made responsible by fer
! eral law TO its employees.
: InIunetlons In Labor Disputes.
j Another labor question has arise
J which has awakened the most excite
. discussion. That is In respect 10 tn
, power OF the federal courts to issue II
? functions in industrial disputes. A
? to that, my convictions are fixed. TAX
away from the courts. II II could b
taken away. the power to issue II
! functions In labor disputes. and
would create privileged class anon
, the laborers and save the lawies
, among their number from a most nee,
J: full remedy available to all men fc
the protection OF their business againI
, lawIess invasion. The proposltio