East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-03-04

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southern legislation must and will
tend to obey it, and so long as the
statutes of the states meet the test
OF this amendment and are not other
wise in conflict with the constitution
and laws OF the United States, II is
not the disposition or within the pro-
vince of tho federal government to
interfere with the regulation by south
ern states Of their domestic affairs.
There is in the south 4 stronger feel
ing than ever among the Intelligent,
well-to-do and influential element in
favor of the industrial education of
the negro and the encouragement of
the race to make themselves useful
members Of the community.
Progress of Negro.
The progress which the negro has
made in the last so years from slav-
cry, when its statistics are reviewed. is
marvellous, and 1t furnishes every rea-
son to hope that in the next 25 years
a still greater Improvement in his
condition as a productive member of
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
1t and to die for it. Encountering the
race feeling against them, subjected
at times to cruel injustice growing
out of it, they may we'll have our
profound sympathy and aid in the
struggle they are making, We are
charged with the sacred duty of max
ing their path as smooth and easy as
we can. Any recognition of their
distinguished men, any appointment
to office from among their number,
is properly taken as an encourage
ment and an appreciation of their
progress, and this is just the policy
that should be pursued.
But it may we'll admit OF doubt
whether in any race an appointment
OF one Of their number to a local Of
flee 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 government busi-
ness can be done by the appointee, is
of sufficient benefit by way of en-
couragement TO the race to outweigh
the recurrence and increase of race
feeling which such an appointment is
al 20 nnO rhnrnfnrn
executive, in recognizing the negro
race by appointments, must exercis,
a careful discretion not thereby to do
it more harm than good
No Race Prejudice.
Personally l have not the slightest
race prejudice or feeling. and recog-
milton 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
it. Meantime, If 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 indus
trial and intellectual progress of the
negro. The exercise 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 ig-
norant and irresponsible of both races
Labor Legislation.
There is one other matter to which
l shall refer. 1t was made the sub
ject of great controversy during the
election. and calls for at least a pass
ing reference now. My distinguished
predecessor has given much attention
to the cause of labor, with whose
struggle for better things he has
shown the sincerest sympathy. A.
his instance, congress has passed the
bill fixing the liability of interstate
carriers to their employees for injury
sustained in the course Of employ
ment, abolishing the rule of fellow
servant and the common law rule as
to contributory negligence, and sub
stituting therefor the socalled rule
of comparative negligence.
It has also passed a law fixing the
compensation of government employees
for injuries sustained in the employ
Of the government through the neg
ligence of the superior 1t also pass
ed a model child labor law for the
| interstate commerce railroads and
their employees, and laws for the ap-
plication Of safety devices TO save the
lives and limbs Of employees Of inter-
state railroads had been passed. Ad-
dltional legislation of this kind was
passed by the outgoing congress.
VIII Promote Legislation.
I wish to say that in so far as
can, l hope to promote the enactmen
Of further legislation Of this charac-
ter. am strongly convinced that the
government should make itself as re-
sponsible to employees injured in its
employ as an interstate railway cor
poration is made responsible by fed
eral law to it's emloyes; and 1 shall be
glad. whenever any additional rea-
sonable safety device can be invented
to reduce the loss Of life and limb
among employees, to urge congress to
require its adoption by interstate rail-
ways.
Asks Aid and Cooperation.
Another labor question has arisen
which has awakened the most excit-
ed discussion. That is in respect to
the power Of the federal courts to IS
sue injunctions in Industrial disputes.