The Kansas blackman. [volume] (Topeka, Kan.) 1894-1???, 1894-05-04

One palpa0le 1act is tnat the col
ored man who ''runs a division"
gets a messengership, just as a
white curbstone statesman does.
The colored man who is influential
in his ward enjoys not only clerk
ship which pays a living salary
but the privilege of naming de
serving persons for subordinate
places. In other words he enjoys
what his white brother enjoys.
And the colored man who takes
small part in what is called prac-
teal politics, but who by voice and
purse contributes to the success of
his party is consulted to the de-
gree that he is practically infuen-
tial in the distribution of the
offices. In Philadelphia, it is diff
cult to find branch of the public
service in which colored men are
not honorably engaged in work
from responsible clerkships to
messengers and janitors. These
men are some of our best repre-
sentatives.
To estimate the Importance
indeed, the actual necessity-of
this employmentin the progress of
the colored people of Philadelphia,
one needs but imagine the result
if these offices were suddenly clos
ed against our men. Where
could they turn for work! A
skilled draughtsman who has re-
organized the work in two impor-
tant branches of the city govern
ment would seek in vain a position
in any private establishment to
pay one-half of his present salary.
Two specialists in the finance de-
partment might find schools to
teach at one-third of their present
salaries. An experienced clerk in
the real estate department would
be lucky to get a messengership in
one of the great trust companies.
Clerks who are equipped to learn
quickly any branch of work in our
great business houses would apply
throughout this great city and
with the exception of one store
find the doors shut in their faces.
Many of the men who are now
serving as public messengers are
well educated, quick and polite.
They could succeed as statesmen
after few months apprenticeship.
1t would be regarded as absurd for
one of them to apply for such a
position in the city of Brotherly
Love.
In glancing over the lists of the
largest contributors to the support
of these reform movements, one
finds the names of estimable men,
captains of industry. Whata gain
it would be in every large city if
their aid could be secured to make
our youth independent of politics
Their hearts are in the right places.
No colored charity appeals to them
in vain. The progress of the
Negro in the south is to be traced
there, in preponderating measure,
to the philanthropic generosity of
the very men who think there, are
insuperable obstacles to the gener-
al employment of colored men on
the same plane with white men.
1t would be harsh, unkind, migrate
full indeed, to attribute their atti-
tude to color prejudice. 1t is
what Mr.. Cable calls their "com-
mercial pre-occupation" that stands |
in the way. | believe that the
gleat necessity of today is some |
agency which shall IN a quiet dig |
nitied way, secure their serious
of what Judge Tour |
gee so aptly calls our sad need for
industrial and commercial oppor-
-unity. "Itis condition and not !
A theory that confronts us.
Nothing else so clears the way of /
political independence as does in
lustrial independence. /
On the other hand, while this /
Industrial ostracism, in some meas 4
ire, interferes with general CO. |
operation on the part of our young |
men in reform movements, it also /
,ets ne apart as class most to be /
benefited by a properly managed |
,ivil service, one Of the objects Of .
he reform movement. Wherever
.iyil service reform has been fairly
administered, colored men have
acquitted themselves creditably.
In the South, before the National
commission permitted the Demo
ratio politicians to NEEDLE with
he appointments, there was gen
.ral Indignation over the number
# colored men who earned appoint
nents. The present administration
las trampled laws and regulations
lnder foot in getting rid of eolored
postal employees who honestly
earned places under Mr.. Wana-
makers firm and equitable admin