The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1909-03-10

their progress, and this just policy
shall be pursued.
The Appointment Of Negroes.
But it may we'll admit of doubt
whether in case Of any race an ap-
po1ntment of n 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 !. likely to engender. Therefore
the executive in recognizing the negro
race by appointments must exercise a
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 OF feeling, and recogni.
ton OF It's existence only awekens In
my heart a deeper sympathy for those
who have to bear It or suffer from it,
n I question the wisdom Of u policy
which is likely to increase It. Mean
time, II nothing is done to prevent, a
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 en-
ercise of political franchises by those
OF his race who are intelligent and
well 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 1
n refer. It vas made the subject
OF great controversy during the cleo.
ton and calls for at least a passing
reference now. My distinguished pred
ecessor has given much attention to
the cause Of labor, with whose strue-
gle Tor better things be 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, a%bolishing the
rule of fellow servant and the common
law rule as to contributory negligence
and substituting therefor the so called
rule Of comparative negligence. It has
also passed a law fixing the compen
satlon 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.
1umbla. 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.
I wish to say that, in SO far as 1 can,
l hope to promote the enactment Of
further legislation Of this character.
I 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
t1on Is made responsible by federal
law to its employees, and l shall be
glad, whenever any additional reasona-
hyA en- 0fv 6nV-fon onn h0 (rvo-A~l 30
reduce the loss Of life and limb among
railway employees, to urge congress
to require its adoption by interstate
railways.
Use Of injunetions 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
injunctfons in Industrial disputes. As
to that, my convictions are fixed. Take
away from courts, If it could be taken
away, the power to issue i%njunctfons
in labor disputes, and 1t would create
a privileged class among the laborers
and save the lawless among their num-
Der from a most needful remedy avail
NJ 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 equitable injunction is
utterly without foundation TN prece-
dent or reason. The proposition is
usually linked with n to make the
secondary boycott lawful. Such a
proposition Is at variance with the
American instinct and win find no
support, in my judgment, when submit
ted to the American people. The Sec
ondary boycott is an instrument Of
tyranny and ought not to be made
legitimate.
The Issuing Of a temporary restrain
ing order without notice has in several
instances been abused by its incon.
siderate exercise, and to remedy this
the platform upon which I was elect
ed recommends the formulation IN n