The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-06-05
Wednesday, June S, 1889.


The rule of action which guides the Pres
ident and his postoffice clerks In Washington
seems to be a mystery down this way.
When President Harrison was inaugurated
IL appeared that he intended to give gov
ernment which would be sufficiently accepta-
BILE to the Southern people to break the Solid
South. Such result at the time was by
many thought to be among the possibilities
of the future.
But the Solid South Is indebted to Mr.. Har-
rlson for unifying and making the South
more solid to-day than II ever has been.
No matter what professions Northern he
publican may make. let him get into office
and his Unborn hatred OF Southern white
men is sure to be developed. We have never
had meaner exhibition Of this Northern
hatred Of Southern people than Is furnished
by the President and his postoffice crew.
In this county the work Of removing ac-
ceptable postmasters goes on, and for no 9TH
er imaginable reason, than that the old ap-
pointees are respectable white people, and
that the new appolntecs are generally ne
groes.
Has 1t come to this that postmaster must
be removed because he Is q white man, and
because an Objectionable negro wants the
placer
The postmaster at Lowndesville has given
satisfaction to the people. But we learn thai
little negro has received notice OF his ap-
pointment to that place.
At Verdery in this county most accepta-
BILE white man has been notified that q negro
will take his place.
We have heard that negro has been prom
ised the postoffice at Bradley in this county.
We learn that one Tom Finley, who figured
80 conspicaously several years ago as "Dem-
ocratic Niger" has turned tale, and now
wants the Abbevllle postofice, because OF the
color Of bis skin and, perhaps, because OF his
conspicuous unfltness for the position.
Nearly every mail agent on the railroads
hereabout has been removed to give place to
negroes.
When we remember that the colored people
contribute very little to the support of the
postofice department, the injustice Of giving
the Offices to negroes will be more readily
understood.
For instance: Tom Finley wants to be
postmaster at Abbeville, and bases his claims
for the place on the fact of his being n negro,
and has the endorsement of "forty ladies' o.
his color. 1t Is presumed that there are SIN
gle firms in this town who pay as much pos
tage as every negro ut this office The "forty
ladies" whose names appear on his petition,
do not send dozen letters month, and, a.
far We are In formed, with single exception,
none OF them subscribe for newspaper. AS
rule colored people do not subscribe for
newspapers. and therefore have but little oc
casion to complain OF postmasters, and have
but little right to claim the offices.
T4m FImley's petition made at least three
statements which were unwarranted by the
facts:
lst. That Mrs. Lawson is "feeble."
End. That she Insulted people who called
for their malls.
3rd. That letter or letters had remained
in the office for months before IL was deliver.
ed. In their ignorance. they seemed not to
know that she Is required to send once
month, to the Dead Letter office, all letters
that remain uncalled for.
Except for the profit arising from the post.
Office, 1t is matter Of little or no concern tc
the great mass OF negroes, who may.hold the
Office.
II they subscribed for any considerable
number Of newspapers. or If they had occa'
sion for frequent use OF the mails as carrying
letters, they could more reasonably apply for
the position of postmaster.
The fact Is, we are inclined to the opinion
that Harrison is doing very little to COM
mand the respect OF decent people, in this
part OF the Lords vineyard. When he can't
give place to negro, he gives it TO some
unknown Northern man who may have
been living among US for a dozen years. In
stead of giving to a native Carollnian he gives
his appointment 10 negroes or 10 stran-
gers and aliens. The appointment of attor-
general Is a reflection on the ability. and in.
tegrity Of the native born Carolinian, who
we believe. is the equal of any man on the face
OF the earth-not even excepting the North
ern Republicans who may come among US.
Are we slaves, or are we freeman? Why Is /:
that stranger is sent to rule over us?
The only consolation that we have in the
matter is, that we are again reminded of the
bitter hatred which pious hypocritos entertain
for honest and manly Southern people.