The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-05
COLORED MEMS INTERESTS.
How They Are Looked After by the
Mckinley Administration,

To the Editor of the indianapolis Freeman:
For many years / have had but little to
do with politics, being satisfied that there
were others more competent to attend to
those things while look after the greater
duties of my calling. But the colored min
lister is peculiarly situated. He cannot help
being counselor in all matters pertaining
to the welfare of his race. His opinion is
sought after by the masses of our people
and he can i'll afford to not take some side
in every controversy.
In the present campaign a very strong
independent move has developed among the
colored people Now have always consid-
cred myself quite Independent in politics,
and every day am asked which side am,
on at this time
am truly glad that the day has come
when mans politics cannot be devined
from the color of his skin. This should re-
main the case. In defining my position 1
would say first, am for my race above all
parties. Now what complaint have we to
make against the present national admins
tration? No doubt there are individuals who
have not been properly cared for, and they
have my full sympathy, but the race has
received better recognition than ever be-
fore. We look for material not mere honor.
NOW let the independents CD consider the
following facts:
Under the Mckinley administration four
teen colored postmasters have been APP
pointed, and other postal clerks in the de-
partment at Washington whose salaries
amount TO $3,6SO; two foreign ministers and
nine consuls, mostly in positions never held
by coIored men. Their salaries aggregate
$4,000. In the Interior Department cclored
salaries; in the General Land Office $24, 764;
In the Pension Office $S7, 740 is pocketed by
eolored clerks q 1d0 per year; in the Indian
in the geological survey, $7,240; Recorder of
Deeds Office, $14O60; Government Printing
Office SLY 600 90 is paid to, 16S men: Miscel..
laneous, $3.50. Then add the District of
Columbia where by the appointment of the
government also, we have seventy-five men
IN n. district work receiving an aggregate of
Now, If we will add to this grand showing
the fact that 266 coored men have been
commissioned as officers in the army (261
volunteers and five regulars), at an average
salary of $3.50 each, 900; while 14.7Si
privates. at sos EACH are receiving 81, 075 472;
1000 employed as as drivers. cooks servants;
drawn by colored men in the army, 81, 751 ,072
In the civil departments of the government
we have already paid to heads of depart
ments and clerks amounting to $4Ol, 1854 But
we must not forget that there are hundreds
Of deputies in the various customs and in
ternal revenue offices not included in the
list. There are custodians, janitors, labor
ers, etc, by the hundred, brought in on the
Wond f be- drawn xery bY the
workers. Putting these altogether, we have
at the lowest the sum of 5652,936 going
into the pockets of the colored people of
this country annually through the McKin-
ley administrat ton.
Did any other administration ever do half
so well by us? But it must be remembered
that Mr.. Mckinley could never have made
IT possible for us to be drawing all of this
money, had he not had the support of a
Republican Congress. Hence we do not
need to go back thirty years to see who
were our friends. We are not interested
IN that nearly as much as in knowing who
are doing the most for us now.
AS ! said in the, beginning, am for my
race. first, last and always. The party that
gives my people the best opportunities to
earn living and the best protection in the
enjoyment of life is the party for me.
Therefore, since our race is drawing near
ly $4,000 annually from the public treas
ury under the present Republican admins
tration, and as we have never been given
the opportunity to earn half so much by
any other party, 1 think our material in
terests lie in supporting the Republican
party at the polls next Tuesday. Yours for
my race, d. A. GRAHAM
Pastor Bethel A. M. e. Church.