St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-20
THE RACE PROBLEM.

To the Editor Of the Globe.
A number of our prominent Repub-
lican politicians of the North have been
dabbIing quite extensively in the race
problem of the South. They find it an
easy matter to map out plan of action
or code of ethics to be followed by the
people of the South. They are charita-
bic, generous and even loving towards
the poor, much-abused negro, so long as
he remains in the South. and they do not
come in personal contact with him.
They will spend days and weeks in
massing together honeyed words and
sweet sentiments, and shed barrels of
tears, to the end that the negro will
think that they love him to-day, the
same as when Northern blood was shed
10 wipe out the monster evil of slavery.
But when the conditions are changed
and the politician comes in contact
with his friends, his great hearted phil
anthrophy is found to be but the empty
ringing of sweet words, without heart.
We find that he loves the
the negro very dearly. very tenderly;
but loves him on one side of the con-
tlnent. or in Africa. while he remains
on the other, or in the halls of con-
greSs. There is an illustration In point
~
the fact that the county committee
which nominated Snider for congress
contained one negro, and he was loved as
only politician can love a negro, until
ne got his vote. Since that time Dame
Rum0r asserts that all the members of
that committee have been rewarded
for their loyalty to home and
country, either by fat posi-
tons or political honoys, with
the exception of our much-lOVed negro,
and right here be it said that his black
skin covers as white man and as good
citizen as any member of that commit
tee. Our negro friend after long wait
ing finally received position. which
was to be assistant janitor of the post
office. the government schedule salary
for which is $50 per month. But they
gave it to him with S10per month nipped
OF, while they put upon him the bulk
of the work of taking care of the build
ing. Truly they love him for his vote,
and also If they can make him do double
the work OF white man for less wages.
Senator Moody, of South Dakota, has
introduced bill for the appointment Of
a committee to investigate the cause of
hard times; and they might begin at
the Minneapolis post0ffice by asking
why they pay lower wages for the same
Work Ihdn OUTSIDE parties. anu why the
government scale of wages is not adj
hered to. The result of the investiga-
ton would probably show, not that the
appropriation was short las they would
claim) but that they had nipped
$40 or SIS per month from number of
the employees in order that fat position
might be provided as party reward
for deputy custodian of the building.
The uselessness of the Office is as APP
parent as the political usefulness of the
appointe. st. Paul does not have one,
Minneapolis never had one before and
does not need one now, as the janitor
performs and should perform the
duties of that Office. The post
master is the custodian, without
a salary; but deputy is appointed, and
salary must be forthcoming, even if
the appropriation does not contemplate
any such office, and at the expense of
other employees. In this the great
hearted philanthrophy, the generosity
and good will they bear toward both
black and white laborers? Is this their
practical solution of the race problem?
JOHN THOMAS.