The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-01
One Remedy for
Race Prejudice
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
The shooting of the negro postmaster
at Hogansvile Georgia, continues to be
the topic of newspaper editorials, preach
ers' sermons, and generally extended dis
cussion. The facts have been fully stated
in our news columns. Loftin. the postmas-
ter, is an influential co!ored man who
was a delegate to the St. Louis conven-
ton which nominated Mckinley. The
Whlte people at HoganSville, who are de-
scribed as most worthy and law-abid-
ing, objected to the appointment of q
negro as postmaster for their village, and
they made an agreement among them
selves to XIII Loftin If he was appointed,
and to kill any other negro who should
succeed him. Loftin was shot from am
bush, according to programme, as soon
as ne got the office; and notice was served
on the federal government that the re-
naming part of the compact would be car
ried out as soon as another negro was in
stalled in the postotiice. Feeling runs
very high among the Hogansville citizens,
and there is no doubt that they are de-
termlned To- stand no nonSanse from
Washington in the matter.
We do not think we are putting IL too
strongly to say that the white people in
the northern part of the United States re-
gard the attitude of the Hogansvil!e citi-
zens with disapproval. The only debate is
as to the exact course which the federal
government ought to take in the compli-
Gated case. 1t is held in some quarters
that the proper thing for the administra-
ton to do is to decide and definitely an
nounce that hereafter negroes will not be
appointed as postmasters. 1t is explained
that to see negroes in postotfices or other
federal othces Is very distasteful to south
erners, and If Mr.. Mckinley is wise he
will fgp hn faa
nature of high-strung Teople If a col
ored man wants to be postmaster in the
south, let him get himself elected by a
popular vote of the patrons of the office
Then If he is Nppotnted there will be no
shooting. Such is the solution of the diff
fculty, advocated with great vigor by
that typically patriotic aud courageous
american citizen, Mr.. Godkin, the editor
OF a newspaper owned by the daughter of
William Lloyd Garrison. On the other
hand, there are those who declare that
the shooting of this poor negro is an af-
front than which there could be none car
rying more wanton or blacker infamy
to the majesty and honor of the whole
people OF this proud country. They are
In favor OF punishing the assassins and
protecting whomsoever the president
chooses to appoint to postofilces or any
other offices in Georgia, even If the en-
tire state is put under martial law and
the entire army of the United States
stands with fixed bayonets around it,
o.
We do not sympathize with either OF
these views. One Is beneath contempt,
the other offers remedy worse than the
disease. There is a cure ready at Mr.
McKinley's hands, mild, proper and eff
feetual. Let him discontinue the Hogans-
vile postofiiee. Let the white people in
that neighborhood, IL they cannot endure
federal servant who has been lawfully
named and is faithfully performing his
duties, go without the federal postal ser
vice. Do not force them to get their let
tiers from a colored postmaster II 1t is
repugnant to them. Give them full per-
mission to get their mail from the near
est white postmaster, at a distance OF
fifteen or twenty miles. Let 1t be under
stood that this is the policy of the admin
istration regarding any place, great or
small, north or south, where the pastmas-
ter is in danger of assassination or mall
treatment from the chivalrous people of
the ne!ghborhood Probably after one