Viewing page 16 of 205

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

197
the vast importance to this race of their making a good record on the labor question this year - they manfully admitted all the facts - they said they know that there are many of their own race who would not work for fair wages and who would be a burden upon them and injure the future of the race, and they were not only willing but anxious that such persons should be compelled to work and not be allowed to bring disgrace upon them and furnish arguments to their enemies to prove that they would not work except under the lash. I came away from the Convention with more and better hopes of this people than I ever had before. These men had the courage and the pluck to admit the facts and the truth which can only be injurious to those who are in the wrong.
 
I did not issue the order referred to until after I had labored earnestly for nearly three months to convince these people of the necessity of making contracts at fair prices, whenever they could not otherwise provide for themselves, and with little or no good result. They would admit the truth of what I said & would promise to follow my advice, but did not do it. I waited until it was evident that something must be done. I went back and then issued the order. It has worked like a charm. - Doubtless advantage has been taken of it