The Washington times., 1894-09-16
TAYLOR'S UNWRITTEN RULE
He Requires White Clerks to Associate
With CoIored Employees.
OTHERWISE THEY ARE FIRED
At Least Two Have Come to Grief Because
They Refused to Obey His Unwritten
Law-He Sought Opportunities to Dis
miss the Old Clerks.

The story published yesterday in THE TIMES
OF Recorder OF Deeds Taylors methods OF
conducting the affairs of his Office caused
considerable comment among lawyers in the
city hall
The cases cited yesterday were but part
of the number. Only three instances of
broken promises were related, but these were
sufficient to excite interest in further deve-
opments. That Mr. Taylor is a reader OF THE
TIMES is evidenced by the fact that he went
about his work yesterday in quiet manner
and said very little concerning politics or the
affairs of his office. 1t is further evident that
the heretofore communicative recorder has
recently become anxious concerning his re-
tention in office.
1t seems that since obtaining such exten-
sive newspaper notoriety he is fearful lest
President Cleveland should become convinced
of his lack OF qualifications for the office, and
without warning sever his official connection
with the Office.
As was exclusively stated in The TIMES yes
terday. since Mr. Taylor entered upon the
duties of his position twelve competent clerks
have been dismissed and the work of the
Office seriously crippled. few of the old
force remain, but it is said they, too, would
have been fired had they not complied with
certain provisions of the unwritten laws of
the Office.
ASSOCIATION Is REQUIRED.
Among the sections of the sub-rosa statutes
is one requiring the white lady copyists to as
sociate with, and treat as sisters, the colored
lady employees. This they were expected to
1 l,iro
Noncompliance with this requirement was
considered sufficient cause for removal. But
there were several of the ladies who refused
TO submit to such rule, preferrng rather to
step down and out.
The recorder. ever on the watch for an ex-
euse for dismissal, noticed the direct dis
obedience of his mandate. and quietly, but
promptly, notified MS offending employees
that their services we're no longer required.
1t is known that among the ladies whose dis
charge was mentioned in yesterdays TIMES,
at least two came to grief for this oflense.
1t is not definitely known whether the re-
naming five ladies were dismissed for this
reason. but the general belief is that they
were, but do not care to admit the fact.
The reporter was told yesterday of the case
of a widowed white lady clerk who has been
in the Office for a number Of years and only
retains her position at this time owing to the
fact that she has obeyed the law. Fearing
dismissal and realizing the fact that it Is
difficult TO obtain employment she decided to
associate with her colored sisters in the
Office and treat them as the law required.
THE WHY'S AND wHEREFoREs.
When the other ladies were thrown out of
employment she remained and her retention
was the subject of considerable comment
among number Of lawyers for they were
ooynfz,p+ of tho vrb,-z and vvbaraforas in tho
case. She is still employed in the office and
will probably continue in her present position
until she goes against the recorders grain.
Mr. Taylcr has respect for the wishes OF his
benelactor's private secretary. Among the
employees of the Office, when the gentleman
from Kansas entered upon MS duties, was
Miss Wright She had been there for some time
and was an nexceedinglycapablec copyist Know
ing the uncertainties ofipublic office she deter
mined TO be on the sale side and asked Pri-
vate Secretary Thurber. who was "a friend of
hers to request MIR Taylor TO retain her in
Office. This the secretary willingly did by
writing an appropriate letter to the recorder,
which Miss Wright kept in her possession.
By some means Mr. Taylor became aware
of the existence of the letter and asked the
lady 10 resign, telling her of his knowledge
of the letter. Miss Wright upbraided the re-
eorder for his remarks, and in unmistakable
language gave him her personal opinion of
him as a gentleman.
why do you want to discharge me?" she
asked.
"Oh. but that is not my intention" was the
answer. Il simply want you TO resign"
Miss Wright declared she would not. and
again referred to the letter from Mr.. Thurber.
The conversation ended Miss Wright did
not resign, nor did Recorder Taylor attempt
TO remove her from office. He had respect for
the wishes of Mr. TnUrber.