New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-14
THE COLOR LINE AT ALBANY.


In the good the truly good, old days before
the war; the Bourbon's main argument against
the abolition of slavery took the form of that
most searching drgumenium dd honinem, DO
You want your daughter to marry Niger =
The typical Southerner felt that this plain,
practical question effectually disposed OF all the
sentimental theorists who insisted that when IL
came to such inalienable rights as life, liberty
the pursuit of happiness, all men white or black
are equal Wei, the war drove the question
into Innocuous desuetude, whers 1t still re-
mains. The fine old Bourbon of to-day never
mis- il to ANYBODY, contenting himself with de-
vising WAYS and means for cheating the bigger
out of his vote in all that it implies.
Nevertheless, it lOoksas If the question was
70 be revived, and out, not Of the mouth of
Southern, but OF a Northern, Democrat. Last
summer President Cleveland appointed james
C. Matthews, of Albany, Recor Ter of Deeda for
the District of Columbia. Mr. Matthews is a
colored man. 1t would appear that he is max
ing n large amount of money out of his Office.
The Washington correspondent of The AeU-
York World reports that Mr.. Mattbews's fees
have averaged 800 day. The story of Mr..
Matthew's prosperity has become known in the
Office of The A lbany Times, and the manner IN
which that paper comments upon 1t warrants
the suspicion that it Is about to proceed TO in-
ouire of It's readers, Would you like your
daughter to marry n Niger The Iimes instead
of manifesting pleasure at the news that Mr..
Matthews is sailing down fees at the rate OF
500 day, cannot conceal It's chagrln at the
soec,acle of "nigger," albeit q Democratic
"nigger,n holding 80 fat an office, In these days
when so many white Democrats are holding up
their plates in vain. Mark the vitriOlic irony OF
these observations culled from The Times 5
article on GMatthews's Great Bonanza:
BY contrast with the gorgeousness and glory OF Mat
thews's one appointment from Abanys managing direct
ors Of Democracy how meagre look all the rest Leu us
hear no of the small salaries OF various other fe
era apponees here the Surveyor or the Collector az
only 81 500 apiece eminent Democratic leader as
Dr. OLeary getting only the neagre income OF the post
office or of other eminent Democrats getting mainly
thanks when they possibly need something more Inc
Albany managers have nobly indicated themselves
Whatever they may have failed to do for Others ley
have secured position worth more in fees than the pay
of four Cabinet officers and the Presidents private
tary in 10 Abanys eminent Democratic coiore'
citizen, James c. Matthews
| II would be unjust to claim that The Times II
| endeavOring to incite the white Democrats oi
the capital to rise up in their wrath and on thel'
| emnty stonIachs and massacre their DlacR
brother who is getting away single-handed
that is to say single mouthed, with as much
pap as is Jointly consumed by four Cabinet
officers and private secretary. AT all events
we claim nothing of the kind. Our own sus
piciou s:mply Is that in the course OF lev
weeks The Times will come out in double
loaded leader wanting to know, you know
DO you want your daughter to marry mig
gerT
Mr.. Matthews must use his own judgmen
about going armed and carrying a razor in hi
| boot when he visits Albany.