The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-04-21


master-generel Wanamaker said, few
days ago, that he was astonished at the
misunderstanding that existed in the
South on the subject. He said the de-
partment had never sought for colored
postmasters at any point, and they had
been appointed solely because they had
been recommended as fit and competent.
and, as a general rule. they were SO
recommended by patrons of the Office.
An incident which occurred at Atlanta
gave the Postmaster-general chance
to illustrate this policy of the depart
ment, and, at the same time, turn the
tables on Southern editor. While the
presidential party was stopping at that
place the Postmaster general was ac-
costed by the editor, without an intro
duction, and the following cclloquy oc-
cured:
How are you, Mr.. Wanamakeri l am
glad to meet you. / am the fellow who
started the boycott on you. and want to
talk to you. You are better looking man
than | expected TO see." This was said
with good hum0red smile.
"Mr. CAN'T. it is then, suppose, OF the
Athens Banner. am glad to know you,'
natured.
''But we've got it in for you for putting
negro postmaster on US. Now what nave
you got to say for yourselvesp responded
Mr.. Can't, with show of humor.
What have got to say" repeated the
Postmaster general, still smiling. but show
did just what should have done. 1have
made it q rule never to put q postmaster on
q people that the people don't want.
Again. people wanted Davis that Ia, they
said so. have now in my Office a petition
signed by nearly every prominent man In
your town, merchants and white citizens
generally. asking me 10 appoint him. 1t is
true that few of them wrote me later
that they wanted to withdraw their names.
but even with their nance Withdrawn he
had more names, and names of better peO-
pie, in his petition than all the other can
dIdates. gave your people the man they
asked for. Ii anybody is to blame 1T is
your own merchants Now what have you
to sayf'
That's true.n responded CAN'T, "but
they were all sorry for signing It."
That could not help. Now. you 60 and
boycott your own people" replied the Post
master-general, with an air of victory.
All this was said in good-Datured
way, and the Southern editor admitted
afterwards that he got the worst of the
colloquy. 1t may be added that Davis
is a bright, intelligent mulatto. seven
eighths white, and served as postmaster
under former administration. He was
appointed on the strength of his recon-
mendatiOns, and not because of his color.
1t is good appointment, and if it were
bad one it would be the fault of those
who recommended him.
hoe of foll L
and some ugly threats about the ap-
pointment of James Hill, colored man,
as postmaster at Vicksburg. There is
nothing against him but his color. The
Vicksburg Herald, the leading Demo-
cratic paper of Mississippi. says:
We will state freely that we believe Hill
10 entirely competent and that he is not OBJ
trusive toward the white race, and that he
is at heart better man than President
Harrison and has kinder feelings for the
Southern whites He has been internal
revenue collector, and there was no objec.
ton raised TO him.
The Herald is violently opposed to the
appointment of Hill, but has to admit
that there is nothing against him per-
sonally, at least. nothing but his color.
He is honest, intelligent, competent, and
would make good postmaster. There
are twice as many colored people resi-
dent within the delivery of the Vicks-
burg postoffice as there are white peo-
pie. and there is no reason why compe-
tent colored man should not be appoint
ed postmaster. Hill ran for Congress
in that district in 1888, and after being
fairly elected was counted out. Be-
sides being qualified for the position of
postmaster he deserves the office. The
course of the administration in appoint
ing colored postmasters in the South is
consistent, right and just.