The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-05-19

A few days since q colored waiter In
downtown restaurant remarked to US that
he wanted to change his business, and re-
turn to his old profession as compositor.
He could earn more money at the case, and
he held q "slt' in much higher esteem than
napkin. He said he could not get employ
mcnt In an office In New York. Three years
ago he had tried several, and was every
where discouraged. He earned precarious
living by "subbing" for compositors who
were of for a day or so, but such irregu-
larity would not answer. In one large Job
office, where he found employment, he was
discharged upon the petition to his en-
ploycrs of a number Of his office associates,
who would not brook the presence Of O ne
gro, particularly as he was a competent and
industrious compositor, who did a large
days work and earned q goodly pay there
for. This young man Is temperate and
honest. He learned his trade In the office
OF Frederick Douglass. He cannot practice
II because he Is a negro. In color he Is
very light-not half as dark as the Cubans,
whose exertions for Independence arouse
our sympathles so strongly.
Now we have another case where this mat
ter Is to be tested. Mr.. Lewis Douglass, son
OF Frederick Douglass, is employed In the
Government printing office in Washington.
He is not q member Of the printers union.
local union is allowed to receive a printer
coming from city containing q subordinate
society unless he shows a card OF member
ship from the latter Organization. Mr.
Douglass, Ii appears, came without card
from o city having printers union. Amer
standing at the case in the Government office
he applied to Columbia typographical Union
for recognition. A member ofthe union pre-
sented 'premable and resolutions, setting
- hat ~ ha NJ haA haa rat al
at Denver, Colorado, by O subordinate union
Of the typographical union, on the ground
that he was an improper person to be ad-
mltted, 1t would, therefore, be unbecoming
In this society to admit him to membership.
The resolutions censure the financial secre-
tary for granting a card to Douglass per.
| hitting him to work until the society take
| action In the promises, and directs the chair
| man of the Office In which he Is employed
to cause him to cease work. They also cal
upon the members TO sustain the action oil
the Union. These resolutions were ruleS
out of order, aud after considerable discus
sion the meeting adjourned until the 10th o
June, when the committee Is expected to re
port.
We may assume that young Douglass wa
pronounced Improper" In Denver becausl
his color was improper. He is, undoubtedly
competent and steady printer, and MI
Clapp has given him employment because h
knows him or confdes In his Recommended
tons. The young man Is unhappy unde
the ban of the rule which requires him Il
have a card from the society In the towr
where he last worked. He should hay
stopped over In Rochester or this city an
taken out his papers. For we believe tn
New York Union would not noe refuse I'D
mission to q black man, albeit the perso
referred to at the opening OF this article wa
| so shabbily treated.
The question is of Importance. 1t bring
up the old antagonism Of races. But th
printers profession Is enlightened, an
should be governed by broad, generous an
liberal principles. Men who labor honestl
should respect all who wish for honest labol
and place no obstacles In the way Of securin
employment, and earning livelihood. Th
National Union meets In Albany early |
June. 1t may take action upon this matter
I-Np York Commercial Advertiser.