New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-14
COLOR IN THE SIGNAL SERVICE.
REJECTION OF A NEGRO APPLICANT.
GENERAL HAZEN's VIEWS NOT APP RovED By SEC
nv

GENERAL HAZEN's VIEWS NOT APP ROvED By SEC
RETARY LINCOLN.
About the middle of April, W. Hallett
Greene coored member OF the senior class Of the
College of the City OF NewYork about TO graduate He
is A pleasant aud intelligent looking young man, about
the average height neatly dressed and easy in
ton Looking about for occupation, he addressed
letter according to printed form, to General Hazen,
Chief the Signal Corps u s. A requesting enlistment
in the service. As he was only nineteen years OF
age he forwarded the atesed consent Of his parents to
his enlistment In return he received certain printed
documents in the nature Of Civil Service examination
papers and having ans wered the questions and olyed
the problems and made oath as to Individuality he re-
turned the papers to Washington As ne had not been
informed Of rejection for deficiency physical or mental
he thought his acceptance sure until he received COM
muncaton from General Hazen, under date of May 9,
saying: -..,,.. -
application for enlistment The legislation so far enacted
bv provides for the enlistment OF men OF color
only in regiments OF infantry and two OF cavalry
Bills have at various times been proposed IN Congress 70
do away with this distinction in the regiments ana
corps OF the Army, and to make mixed
ensments for them in accordance bE these Th Rs
not passed and regard this as an expression OF the
public policy Of the National LegSatute Tnca am not
feel Obliged TO dismiss the case wtneuJ tuIner action
Your obedient servant,
". b, HAzEN.
Brgadier and Brevet-Major General
Chief signal Officer y. 3. A.
The student appealed 20 the President of HIS college,
and taking the letter to General Alexander s. Webb
handed over with the remark, " Mr. President, see
how they me-" In his official capacity as president
Of the college General webb Immediately referred the
letter the Chief OF the Signal Corps to the Secretary
War with Endorsement as follows:
This young man ia the first cOored student who has
passed beyond the sophomore class OF TINS college
secretary OF his class composed of of the finest
young men Of this city think can recall the enlist
ment OF colored cadets, and judge, therefore,
that General Hazea ,cti IN error Memba as
OF Congress regard to private soldiers enlisted III the
coOred regiments The young man appeals TO me TO pro-
teet him against such decision by the Chief signal
ALEXANDER s. WEBB, IL D.
The College Of the City Of New-York
On June Secretary Lincoln replied
SIR: Ihave the honor to acknowledge the receipt OF
your reference o. copy OF letter a4Gresssa Ry tae
Greene who had applied to be enlisted IN the signal Corps
on 9 a ia. I hi on, aD beg 20 advise
you that have referred Your lndQrsement 70
copy Of which IL ncIosed If Mr. Greene viii again
apply 10 the Chief signal officer IN compliance with the
signal torps o. the Army the acon OF the Chief signal
Omcer wiz be In accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS III
closed have the honor to De
Your Obedient servant,
ROBERT l. LINCOLN,
secretary OF War.
The Endorsement Of the Secretary OF War was for
warded General Hazen on June 4, and reads;
referred To the Nniel OiHCcA'
The Secretary Of War cannot concur IN the views OF the
Chief Signal Officer what is the puoc pocy OF Con-
IN relation to persons Of color being enlisted OF ON
ervise employed In the public service. -,
Just after the close OF tine war OF
the Rebellion In reorganization or the AIny
Congress declared afimatvey that al the enlisted men
OF specified number OF regiments OF cavalry ana IN
ianry should be cOored. Since that time 10 legslauOh
has been necessary COlored men nave Deen senators
and Representatives in Congress, aud nave Oecupleu
many nigh Official stations OF an executive character
under the National Government No disuncton Is thoSnt
OF In admitting or nsructing them as cadets al the NIL
tary Academy, or In making them Officers OF the Eny
after they have graduated No distinction IS made ia APP
pointing them clerks this Department or Iii other
departments, and should be made III admitting
them 70 the signal Corps IN any capacity Nhch lucy are
qualified 10 fill General Webb has been advised OIthese
views and action should be taken accordingly
ROBERT I. LINCOLN,
Secretary OF War
General Webb said Last evening:
In every respect young Greene was fitted and worthy
the place he sought In his class he was respected ana
could hardly have been elected secretary had not been
recognized that he manly, truthful and straghtIor-
ward This not the time make any such distinctions
here attempted and think that Secretary Lincoln de-
cdedy took proper view OF the matter and dd credit
10 the Administration by the promptness with when ne
met and settled the question Men are apt 10 take dner
ent views OF matters this case the difference was an
important one, and ts settlement viii do much good
The young man has renewed his application