Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1883-04-05

A CoLoRED Mans GRIEVANCE
The Baltimore Anae-iaan saws A
young colored man who was discharr-
ed from the employ Of the govern
ment a few days ago has made public
q statement Of his wrongs that show
up in plain light an abuse that has
for long time been generally prac-
ticed among high officials here. The
name Of the discharged employe i
Oliver G. Black, and he finds himself
set out IN the cold because he would
not black the boots Of the entire fam
Iiy OF his chief. He was formerly
emnloysd as messenger in the Cen
sus Office, where he male an excel
lent record. and in August, 1882. he
was appointed messenger in the Office
OF the Chief Constructor at the Nayv
Yard. Not long ago. however, the
chief constructor, Theodore Wilson,
had Black transferred to the laborer' 8
roll OF the Navy Department, and as
signed TO duty in the department
building. Black performed his du-
ties well, no complaint being made:
gradually he found that his duties
were not to be confined to the depart
ment. One day be would be sent up
to Mr.. Wilson's honse for this and an
other for that. Finally, Mr.. Wilson
ordered him to come around each
morning and fix the furnace fires
Then ne would be sent up during the
day for odd jobs. One day Mr.. Will
sons son wanted him to take care of
the horses. Black told him he was
no hostler, and refused to do SO. An
other time the cook told him he was
to clean the snow from the sidewalk.
This he also refused to do. Finally.
Mrs. Wilson laid on the last straw
one morning by showing him several
pairs OF shoes belonging to the respec-
stable members of the family and tel
ling him to polish them. and be quick
about it. At this Black rebelled
openly. He said he did not intend to
do duty as house servant when he
was paid for working for the govern
ment. Mrs. Wilson seemed astound-
ed, and gave him to understand that
IT be did not do as he was told he
would have nothing to do at all. to
which he replied that if he had to do
this work as a condition of keeping
his place he certainly should not do
it. He went back to the department
and to work, as usual. Constructor
Wilson sent for him and told him that
he didn't want fhn vhere any fong
but that if he would resign he could
be provided fort at the navy yard.
Black wanted to know the cause of
this dissatisfaction, and npon learning
that it was merely on account of his
refusal to do what was asked Of him
at MIR. Wilson's residence, he refused
to resign. He, however, wrote to the
Secretary Of the Navy setting forth
the facts in the case, and the only re-
ply he received was bis discharge from
the service. This is the substance of
Blacks story, which is backed by his
affidavit and by the letters that passed
between him, Mr.. Wilson and the sec
retary. The case has excited wide
spread comment, and several local
colored preachers made it the subject
OF their discourse. This sort of dou-
bic service is no new thing in the gov
ernment departments. In fact there
Is hardly a cabinet officer whose coach
man is not on the department rolls as
a messenger or laborer. OF course,
they put in daily appearance at the
office for looks sake, but the bulk of
their duties consist of work at the
stables or houses Of their chiefs. The
writer has personal knowledge of an
instance where a department messen-
ger opens the door for the callers upon
the wife Of the CHIEF clerk of the de-
partment, another where a colored man
waits on the table of cabinet officer,
and travels with b i'm whsneyer he
goes all about the country. It has
become a matter of history that John
Sherman while secretary of the treas
ury had several Of these government
paid house servants. Ia fact, this
sort of thing is becoming so notorious
that detailed expose, sHch as that
given by young Back. may, as it GER
tainly ought to, lead to civil service
reform extending in this direction.