The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-10
A LONG, LOUD LAMENT.
WILL THE CoLoRED CONTINGENT
CAPTURE THE CUSTOMS OFFICE,
A Dread That Policy VIII Decide the
Matter Causes a Heavy Importer to
Express Himself in Emphatic Lam
guage.

The colored brethren are making a
lively contest for the office OF Surveyor OF
Customs at this port.
Thus far there are three OF them in the
race, viz: Ed Shaw, T. \, Cassels and
Dan Wright. while there is awhole raft OF
white citizens who believe their feet would
fit the shoes to Queens taste.
Dan Wright is at present following the
humble vocation Of distributing mail for
Uncle Samuel along one Of the most popu-
lous and influential routes in the city. In
that line OF official service Daniel has done
well, and won the good will OF those who
have relied safely upon him. In his loftier
aspiration these citizens have smiled and
babe him persevere, and when presented
with petition in line with their cheering
words they have not hesitated to put 1t
down in black and white. Hence II is
that, along Daniels route, at least, he has
gained the bulge over all competitors, in.
Guiding the hustling Caucasians OF Repub-
lican proclivitios and faith In President
Harrison. Petitions are not always ciiica'
cious, however, and Daniel has no string
around the Office door knob, no matter
what his sanguine state OF mind.
An APPEAL reporter learned something
Of the race for this office while in CONVEX
sation with one OF the heaviest importers
direct TO this port. 81 regret exceedingly
that those well.meaning and appreciative
business men have signed the petition Of
any colorcd applicant, and believe they
did 80 without one reflection. Some OF
them are importers, themselves, and
would be among the first 10 complain at
the appointment OF the very man they en-
dorsed over their own signature. Not so
much because of the color Of theappointee
would they do this, but for the indisputa-
BILE fact that, though a somewhat minor
Office il be, yet IL Is one the importance
and responsibilities Of which have in
creased wonderfully during the past two
or three years, and none OF the colored APP
plicants are equal TO the trust No one ex-
poets otherwise than that Republican
will succeed Surveyor Toben, but LET us all
iondly hope that he will be white Re-
publican and competent one. There are
a number OF such here, some OF them APP
plicnnts for the office. In seems 10 be
customary for the colored contingent
10 be given the office under Republican
administration, because IL Is deemed the
part Of wisdom 10 give them something,
and Surveyor OF the Port Is the easiest
way out OF the dilemma. Whether MIR.
Harrison will take this Wow OF II remains
To be seen, but |, for one, without having
even fraction Of an eye in that direction,
hope he will give US n white surveyor Nc
matter how II looks from political stand
point, am In favor OF getting up a peti
lion that Capt Tobin be continued in the
Office until tho expiration OF his term, IN
order that he may be given an opportunity
TO perfect the plans devised for building
up the Office 10 one OF the finest and most
important in the country. lie has already
accomplished wonders in that direction,
II is known far and near as the equal ol
any in the country, and superior TO many
for the Surveyor is custodian OF the
building, you know. What, for example,
could Ia Shaw, Cassclls or Wright dc
toward entertaining President Harrison
and party should Occasion arise, aud how
supcrbly did Capt. Tobin do the honon
when President Cleveland was here
There's no use talking, We should an,
must make q mi .hty effort to have white
man la the Surveyors office, and Capt
Tobin should be allowed TO finish hil
term, which has until March, 1891, 10 con
tnue. II Il goes 10 c0lofcd man, then y
retrogradcs ~ the rut II occupied wher
Cassclls had Il before. Most OF those who
have been educated 10 importing goods
direct. will return TO patronage Of ioreigr
OilCca'