The Afro-American., 1895-08-03

I'LL fessI6Es and pTactIces OE tne niSsl
who manage the labor unions. The
Southern men who have been most SEN
:itiye about color line in social affairs
and in politics, have generally allowed
the Negro TO work at any trade or pro-
fession that he chose to follow. White
men did not object to working with
Negroes before the labor unions organ
IL u in the South.
A few years ago in any southern city
white and black men could be seen at
work on the same building and in the
same factory. Each each man was
earning his own bread and finding no
| fault with the other for earning his
bread ia the same way But the
labor union, protesting TO represent the
great brotherhood of labor, punched in
to the South, organized the white men
| denied the same membership to the
| Negro, and proclaimed that the Negro
should not where they could dictate AT
the same time the union cries out
against the Negroes for taking the
places Of white men who stlike for
higher wages. Tie union deserves no
sympathy in SUCH contest of such
complaints
But the employment of this Negro
stenographer has offended more than
the labor agitators. The firm employ
ing has unconsciousIy touched the social
side Of the question by taking him into
"a semi-confidential" relations. There
is another inconsistency inthis objection.
The Negro was in slavery and has been
since in more than ''asenai nai-confidential'
relation. He was the masters valet
and the mistress slave. he waited up
on both and because lie was black he
could do many Services that white
man could not withont suspicion of in
delcacy on the part OF bis master or
mistress. This same rule of slavery
days has held good since then with
many Negroes employed as servants.
The trouble with this etenographer is
that his work is now regarded as belong
ing to the professions. He must sit in
the Office with his employer and near
bim when taking his dictation. To
some Of the kupersensitive that seems to
be more confidential relation than the
position of a valet. because it carries
with it the suggestion of quality. 1t
reaches back to the old time prpju lice
against teaching the Negro to read and
write
II is encouraging to note that this
Richmond firm has more backbone than
had Governor O'Ferrell q few months
; ago when he received an official visit
from Massachusetts Legislative commit
lee, one of whom was a Negro and then
apologized for doing his duty as
/ state executive. This firm has replied
J 10 all its critics that the Nero stenogra-
pher suits his employers, has their en-
lire confidence, and will remain where
ne is as long he chooses.
Nathanial Mckay, the noted ship
builder, Of Boston, has written letter
Of congratulation TO the Richmond firm
| He also has 4 Negro stenographer whC
s has Travelled with him in Europe ant
r America holding '.semi- confidential re
atlons" to him. and justifying them by
' his faithful service. Mr.. Mckay call!
E attention to the fact that this Negro
B ztenographer has everywhere beer
e treated with the respect due private
secretary, and in South America AM
Europe he has had the same attention
: shown his employer. 1t is humiliatins
j to confess il, bat free America seem
G to be the only country which has colo
d line. Other countries have all sorts .
! distinctions and degrees of social equal
Ii ity, but the color line isn't one of them
h In Europe the color of mans ski
d does not degrade him in the eyes 0
Is white men, That distinction is reserved
! for America, the land of freedom
/, where we declare that all men are crea
8 ted with equal rights and opportunities
D This was born of slavery and it vii
l. take several generations to move ava
n from it. But the education of the Ne
Q gro and the properly he is rapidly &C
: quiring will do much to wipe out sue
: distinctions, and the stand taken b
e this Richmond firm, that it will emplo
y whom it pleases in confidential an
other business relations. will remov
# another barrier. The labor unions ca
4, not dictate to employers as to who sha
ST work and what kind of work they sha
g do, Business men will always be gut
5r ed by their own judgement and conf
If dence in the employment of men VIII
are to hold their confidential or semi
G. confidential relations with them.