The times., 1899-08-02
j. N. JOHNSON REPRIMANDKD.
Mr.. Evans RebulSes a CoIored Clerk
in the Pension Office.

in the Pension Office.
]. n. Johnson, colored, employe in the
Pension Bureau. was severely repri-
manded Monday by Commissioner OF
Pensions Evans for writing an alleged
impudent and threatening letter to
Miss Strong, private secretary to Rep
resentative Hawley of Texas. The let
ter was received by Miss Strong
early Monday morning, and was imme-
diately referred to Commissioner Evans,
with the action as stated. When seen by
q Times reporter last night Commissioner
Evans said that johnson had the reputa-
tion of being smart colored man, and
was one of the kind who is always getting
his race into trouble. The letter written
TO Miss Strong was not the first literary
attempt in that direction made by John
son. Some days ago he addressed similar
communication to Commissioner John B.
Wight, which was however, ignored.
johnson was informed by Commissioner
Evans that no such action would be per-
mitted by employees of the Pension Office,
and that repetition of the offence would
meet with more than a reprimand. Mr..
Evans intimating he would be quickly
discharged.
The alleged grievance of johnson is an
OutSrOWIn OF Tue vi Nnt Sibi6SAAo
of Washington to raise contributions u
this city for the relief OF the food suf-
ferers OF Texas. Johnson. it is alleged,
has persisted in claiming that the money
contributed by the colored people OF this
city has not been duly credited by the
committee and in his letter to District
Commissioner Wight which was read at
the last meeting OF the general committee.
he protested against the use OF the SIS
which had. up to that time, been raised
by the colored people, in the purchase OF
$500 worth of seed which the committee
at that time could have purchased for that
sum. The committee, as is well known.
had only the interest of the colored people
in view, but when it refused, through
johnson, to receive an excellent bargain
for small amount of money, 1t was de-
cided to purchase the seed from the general
fund, and not from the SIS contributed
by the colored people. In the letter TO
Mr. Hawley's secretary, johnson accuses
John Joy Edison, treasurer OF the commit
tee of citizens, with having neglected TO
acknowledge the receipt OF the money col
lected by the colored people. Johnson was
also indignant with the press of this city
for saying colored women" instead OF
colored ladies' when speaking OF the
committee of eelored people.
johnson, it is alleged, in his letter in
timated to Miss Strong that 1t would not
be a good thing to bring about clash
between Representative Hawley and him
SELF evidently meaning that the meeting
would not be pleasant TO the Congressman.
johnson, it appears, had many private
grievances which he aired freely in the
letter.
Commissioner Evans stated last night
that johnson who is a native of Texas,
desired a promotion and that Representa-
tive Hawley had called upon him in
Johnson's behalf The colored mans
wish was not gratifed, and it is thought
that this caused another grievance against
Mr.. Hawley.
Commissioner Evans further added that
johnson was evidently anxious TO get
newspaper notoriety. His actions, it is
said, are not supported by the other col
ored employees of the bureau. Mr.. Evans
further said that it was disgraceful that
people who had worked as hard in the in
terest of the Texas flood sufferers as Mr..
Wight and Miss Strong, TO whom the Of
fensive letters were addressed, though
they were directed against the entire
committee should be criticised by man
for whose race the work was practically
being done, it being well known that the
majority OF the people overtaken by the
disaster are colored.
"Mr. Hawley's secretary" said Com
missioner Evans, has worked increasingly
for the suffering Texans and has done
everything in her power. Miss Strong
was much affected by the letter received
from johnson. In spite of the fact that
in his opening sentence Johnson says his
| wife. Mary A. Johnson. and himself will
| have nothing further TO do with the Texas
relief committee. and that presumably he
| has put his threat into operation the work
| of the committee still continues"