The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-08-16
Negro Policemen.

Philadelphia has four colored men APP
pointed on the police force, and the advent
of the first officer is thus described in the
Press
Yes, look Mt dar air niggar r. was
shouted, as Officer Draper armed with
the authority of the law, n mace and rat
tie, descended the stone steps of the sta
tion-house, preceded by dozen and flank
ed by as many more of the old officers OF
the district. With an almost phenomenal
solemnity the squad filed slowly down the
steps. Draper, cool aud collected, nodded
right and left to numerous acquaintances,
who called him by name, and by the time
the blue coats reached Eighth Street he
had been cheered dozen times. Along
Eighth Street to Spruce walked the of
ficers, closely followed by the crowd, which
was being increased every moment by the
irrepressible small boy, who yelled and
hooted at every step.
"Shoot the niggers cap!' yelled "A di-
minutive barefooted youth in long. tailed
coat /" Jes' LUX at him ~ screeched lem
on-coored woman in dirty calico dress.
"Wull, wull," exclaimed a venerable old
son of the Green Isle, "niver did l expect
to see the loiks o. thot. A nagur polace-
man It's consated | am that we'll be
hoving a black President aroor long"
Two young men in short coats and car
ryiug canes, carefully adjusted their eye
glasses as the crowd approached Eighth
and Spruce Streets, and one Of them ex-
claimed,
"By Jove, Chawley, old boy, this is the
--ah-new African officer, you know
"Yaas y drawled his companion, staring
at the center of attraction, he's devilish
black, isn't he !"
Draper paid no attention whatever to
the multitude of unlavorable comments.
He walked firmly along, and the only indi-
cation he gave of hearing was when the
oolored people cheered, when he bowed and
smiled in recognition of the compliment.
At Spruce Street the officers, who had
accompanied him divided, aud he walked
slowly down Spruce Street to Seventh,
there to be saluted by chorus of catcalls,
cheers and Kisses from au army of small
boys seated on the curb.stone on each side
OF the street. From Seventh to about half
way between Eighth and Ninth Streets the
pavement was filed with a noisy crowd of
white and black urchins, who had been
waiting with impatience for what to them
would be a novel exhibition. BY some
kind of signal it was telegraphed along
the line that the new officer was on duty
less than five minutes after he had turned
the corner of Eighth Street. Down came
the crowd on dead run. They hemmed
the black policeman in on every side.-
They yelled and shouted in ear-splitting
chorus Draper, with remarkable GOODNESS,
paid no attention to the hubbub, but after
reaching Seventh Street turned about and
walked up the thoroughfare with the air of
veteran. Above Eighth Street he was
subjected 10 another chorus of noisy com
ment. "Dat air niggah can't rest dis
yere chile" cried frowsy looking young
colored woman. Cpd break his Jaws |
would
"What's you talking bout, gal?" retort-
gu du eluerly HoBross IepIoNiuBiy'
gess youse never been in de Souf, has yer?
Why, down dere dey has muffin but cullud
gemmen fur pecemen. You're not smart,
you isn't"
''I don't keer," was the rejoinder, 81
don low no buck nggah to take mo in, an
dom you forgit it! !"
Among the coored males the comments
were various. The majority, however, ex-
pressed their satisfaction at having their
race recognized by the appointment, while
few Disappointed aspirants vented their
spleen by the unkindest remarks about tho
new policeman's appearance and manner.