The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-02-11
A QUESTION OF COLOR.

Trouble In the Bureau OF Engraving and
E Printing over m Appointments. g n
WAsuINdToN, Feb. 1O.-The race
question is bothering the platc-printers
in the Bureau Of Engraving and Print
ing. The matter has been called to their
attention in personal and somewhat
interesting manner. A colored girl, who
passed the Civil Service examination
with high standing, was detailed as as
sistant to a white printer, each plate
printer having woman assistant. The
printer in question refused ito work
with a coiored girl, and Chief Meredith
discharged him. There the affair stands,
with the prospect OF trouble. from other
employees who sympathize with their
discharged brother. While the printers
themselves do not admit that they base
their objections on the girls color, and
thereby bring that issue into the case,
they say they are'opposedhto the ap.
pointment OF assistants without either
consultation with them or gaining their
consent. Z -
Frances Flood familiarly called Frank,
made very commendable average in Il
civil service examination, and was certi.
fed to the bureau with others without
anything being said aboutcolor. when
the chief Of that bureau asked for ad.
ditional printers, there was nothing for
him to do but assign her the same as had
been done with all others coming into
the bureau,inTa similar manner.
Chief Meredith, OF the bureau, says
'"The girl was certified to me by the
Civil Service Commission as a printers
assistant, and until a vacancy occurred
had her at work as messenger."'s ~,
"Bnt you did give her the other. posi-.
ton 2" lzZ = e.. ~ .y;ls,I Z
II assigned her to printer to day and
he refused to work with her, and l i'm.
meaiately recommended his dismissal fol
refusing to work with the assistant assign.
cd. That Is all there is Of it, and you
have the entire story in a NUTSHELL"
"You say that it is a case Of civil ser
vice ~. n
"Yes; I wanted some press assistants
aud, as I had to do, applied to the Civil
Service Commissioner for them; She
and ten Others were certified in response
to the applications. Nothing was said
about her color, and I knew nothing
about it; in fact did not give 1t q thought.
l notified her to come to work, and when
she reported l found that she was color.
ed. had nothing left to do but to put
her to work, and | did"
""When was she before the Board?"
I'm June OF last year, and in n large
class, am informed, she entered the
competitive examination and passed
most creditably.SI Unable to get 9
position at that time she went to New
York and, while waiting an appoint
meut, worked at dressmaking. Her ad
dress was sent with the certiication, and
wrote her to come on and 90 to work
She did so and has been appointed.
expect to carry out the law and obey the
orders OF the Secretary OF the Treasury
to whom my office is subordinate. Tht
young man removed is nice youn,
man, and, they say, good workman
but both law and rules I am compelled
to execute, and I had ne alternative bu
to recommend his discharge, and it wa
DONE" ssftte5 *
"Have you been informed as to the re-
suit OF the printers meetine2" w.
~ do not know anything about til,
meeting, except that ono was held. i
suppose, though, that they met for tht
purpose OF considering this matter
Probably they may have decided upol
some concerted action. do not know
what it is, though. One thing the,
should reoollect.s and that ia. it ia ,thJ
Government of the United States the,
propose fighting sst "A
| ~. li,t f4t5.- q ,,.Gy,,Isvn, ssst Z. T. ~