The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-03
4 colored Mans Complaint.

Z. .be Editor OF Inc POST
-, Texas. March 30.-Belieying
81 are in a position to know the
~ the present city administration
Fo',S ssrd 10 public works. and believ-
&. lao that your paper, despite It's demo-
fps nredilections, is favorably disposed
IA all classes of citizens In matters
Wy .,,re the general welfare of our cos
.,,,.r population, is why these lines
sa.nectfully addressed to you.
rhs two races in this city are conserv-
\ n. estimated at ratio OF three to
The majority being white citizens.
40 bona fde residents, according TO
,,,ernre,ation of the city charter,
M state and Federal constitutions.
Il Wong this vast multitude of freehold
large number Of property owners
1 "a ,axnayers (some of whom are colored)
ars 30 truth and in fact. the chief
,orters of the government under which
:, live. Anyhow. taxpayers ana those
Y. arc not taxpayers directly contribute
y nroportion to the general prosperity,
IA as such contributors should snare IN
i' ~ az AZ least, those benefits the city
ionses for the public good from time
time. o,,ors ooou;. 70 mo
1 Nv what | want to know is, why are
l,n-od Iaborers. who are taxpayers and
" sae residents, shut out in the street
.,ire that is now going on on Main
Irsstq And why is 1t that those literally
Isnosed white men who have teams here
%snre driven by colored teamsters are
omnelled TO discharge their colored em-
| r,ttt hai tonr tn
.syr In hauling away the dirt and gravel
| ,,om the excavations being made prepar-
| s,ory 10 laying the pavement!
Z Jinti very recently there has been no
! a;snosition en- the part of the colored pso-
NJ IN register any kick about the manner
iu which they are treated in this partic-
nl,r regard, for the preceding administra-
tions have been more or less disposed u
reckon with them in the letting of street
having and sewer contracts. But it is
~ en- now. and we are curious to know
vhst mysterious disrensation of munich
nal providence has brought about his
most radical change in the public affairs
! We are thankful 10 the Houston Water
works company and the Houston Gas
Light company for their favorable consid-
Grafton OF us in matters of this kind and
,heir desire to helr their needy and strlg-
srg fellow citizens. May these concerns
live long and continue to prosper for
their kindly consideration of all the races
ia their employ. l need not be surprised
al the actions of the companies named for
! they are controlled by the negroes best
friends.
No doubt the poet Burns was mindful
Of the prevailing condition of affairs here
at the time he wrote these sympathetic
lines;
See yonder poor o'erlabored wight
So abject mean and vile,
Who begs brother of the earth
To give him leave to toll.
And see his lordly fellow worm
The poor petition spurn,
ynmindful that weeping Wife
And helpless offspring mourn"
Mr. Editor surely the present city ad
Immigration Is not of the manner born
II the authorities were they would at al
times keep uppermost in thier minds tha
lacred principle, Taxation without rep
Fascination is unjust
The founders of this grand and glorious
Republic fought. bled and died for the
preservation and maintenance of this no
lie conception of human rights. We vii
not emulate their example in the pres
tnt emergency, but we will leave the adj
lrstment OF our grievances to the consid
siate Judgment OF the sovereign people
Respectfully. submitted, c. n. Love.