The Washington bee., 1889-03-30
WHAT THE COLORED PEO-
PIE NEED.

The most important matter
which now engages the attention
of eolored people as regards the
policy of the administration in its
distribution of federal patronage
lie, in what manner will it dis
pense patronage to its colored
supporters? Knowing the tenn
per of MIR. Harrison and believing
that he mas the best interests of
the colored people at heat, we
venture TO suggest few thoughts
on the subject. In the first place
it is desirable that the progress of
the coIored people be substantial
and so conditioned that it may
operate as a positive proof against
the popular charge of shiftl, ssness;
secondly, the charge of incompet-
ency must be removed by positive
proof of its injustice. In the next
place these proofs should operate
to the satisfaction of the great
bulk of the loyal colored repub-
licans who are locking to Mr..
Harrison for a measure of the
helps for which their hearts
have yearGed.
Now TO secure these ends it is
evident that the administration
should give the colored people
positions as well to remove the
charge of shiftlessness as of fincom
potency. 1t should also give a
goodly number of ofices in order
that the scope of patronage may
reach as far as possible. and thus
satisfy a great constituency. The
policy of previous administrations
to regard some half dozen eolored
men as the only persons I'll to
represent the colored element in
Office, has met with much dis
satisfaction among the bulk of
colored voters, and they are look
ing to Mr.. Harrison to remove
the objection. The error of such
a narrow policy is apparent when
it is remembered that there are
thousands and thousands of color
ed people whose ability and
general fitness, together with
large political influence among
their respective constituencies,
Justly entitle them to federal
recognition. What the colored
people want is fewer large Offices
and a varied multiplicity of small
ones. This is desirable for many
reasons.
First, it insures larger distri-
button ofpecuuiary help; secondly,
it enables the incumbent to work
side by side with his white fellow
citizen and thus show beyond
question bis capacity. Moreover,
the colored people are far more in
need of help than honor, and to
bestow 5000 positions at from
$1,000 to $4,000 per anuum would
do vastly more in the matter OF
race advancement and race satis-
faction than to bestow upon hall
dozen the honor of diplomatic
Office with its large salary. Again
we desire to see our best meu
among us and not sent off to for.
eign countries. We need theil
counsel and their ability and
influence which are practically
divorced from US wien they are
at ease in foreign country. Give
Us bureau officers, clerks and the
like in respectable and represen
tative numbers. Set the standard
of qualification as high as yor
please, only see to it that tilt
negro is given a white mau',
chance and il will be astonishing
to witness the decline in prejudice
and premium upon negro worth
Aud there is no need Of choosing
incompetents. The man who il
Incompetent has no claims upor
Office, whatever may be bis prlit
ical influence, and would be LOOKED
upon as an enemy Of his rae,
should be apply for a representa-
tive position. And yet there are
thousands who are competent anG
whose party fidelity and useful
ness entitle them 10 recognition
and we hope that MIR. Harrison
may be made aware of it (if be i.
not already aud lend his power
and influence on that line.
We look with hope aud conf.
dence to some such plan, as above
suggested, whereby Mr.. Harrison
may prove his friendship toward
a long suffering, loyal and impor-
tant political element. BY recog
milton we do not refer to the
offices about Washington merely