The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-26
A GOOD pEMoCRArIC REFORM MEASURE

GOOD DEMOCRATIC REFORM MEASURE.
The Atlanta Constitution is original, if not
altogether unique, in its political views, and
in the exuberance of its joy suggests all man.
ner Of reforms and policies for the new ad-
ministration, some of which may be adopted,
while others should be, by and with the con-
sent of all Republicans without regard to
color. In a recent issue the Constitution
takes up a suggestion made by Florida
paper, that great many Southern negroes
can be comfortably provided for by the Demo
cratic administration by giving them federal
Offices in the Republican States of the North.
This little scheme of revenge for fancied
by the Constitution-hook, line, bob and
sinker-andit forthwith, with evident chuckle,
urges" it's adoption, saying:
cit is proposed to recognize the negroes, or
such Of them as have developed any, unusual
capacity or intelligence, by giving them fed
eral offices in the Republican States of the
North. This policy will be more fruitful Of
results than might at first sight appear"
The plan is SO funny, and so good withal,
that the Constitution is moved to declare that
1T will be Endorsed not only by the Demo-
Gratis of the South observe the qualifying
word South but by all right minded Repub-
leans You are right to the splitting Of a
hair; and nowhere will you find heartier CO.
operation than from all right minded Repub
licans. BY all means put the negro into the
fat federal Offices of the North. The Kill
kenny cat-6ght that will ensue between disap-
pointed Democrats will be worth going miles
to see, and the attractions of the New Orleans
exposition will be as nothing.
But lest we be mistaken that the apparent
righteousness Of the Constitution is serious
proposition, mapping out new departure for
the Democratic party, let us quote again from
its article It continues:
Gin Maine, in Vermont and in Rhode Island,
there are numerous fat federal offices that can
be capably and intelligently filed by negroes
whose names will be brought to the attention
OF the Democratic administration. From fed
eral judgeships down to mail agents there are,
in the States we have named. enough offices
to provide for several hundred worthy negroes,
and it is these places they will be appointed to
fiI This policy is broader than it might
seem to be at first glance. In the first place,
it is directly in the line Of Republican prece-
dent. The Democratic ad-
ministration will see to it that no disreputa-
bile colored person is appointed to Office i'll
these States. On the contrary, only negroes
of known intelligence and responsibility will
be named for appointment. There are hun
dreds OF worthy negroes in the State of Geor-
gia alone whom it would be unjust to mention
in the same breath with the carpet-baggers
Presuming that the Constitution means
what its words imply. and that it is really en-
listed in the work of elevating that race which
for century was trodden under foot by the
Democratic party, we extend our hea.tiest CO.
operation. There are scores of federal Offices
that could well be filled by negroes, from
Georgia or from any other portion Of the
country. The policy of appointing negroes
OF known intelligence and responsibility in
preference to the average Northern office
hungry Democrat will be Endorsed without
debate by all rightminded Republicans.
There can be no question that Of the two
the average Northern Democrat and the intel
ligent Georgia negro-the latter is by all odds
preferable to the former. If intelligence add
ed to responsibility be the test, the Northern
Democrat will stand no chance at all. And
if this is the reform that the incoming admin
istration promises, the country is to be con-
graduated in that one point has been wrung
from the Democratic party toward the ad-
yancement of the emancipated race so long
held in bondage. Of course there will be
those among the ward workers Of the DEM
ocratic party-the bummers and camp follow
ers--who will denounce the innovation; but
if the administration persists in the plan sug-
gested, lasting good will result to the colored
race, and 'sll Right-minded Republicans"
will applaud.