Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-31

point to the fact that not one colored man
has during Mr.. Wight's term been appoint
ed membe- of the fire department, and
that he recently expressed his satisfaction
with the present rule regarding appoint
ments in this department.
This rule, the coIored people assert, is to
prevent the appointment of a negro, and
they declare that during the past ten or
twelve years but one colored man has been
made a member OF the fire department,
and that he resigned in less than a year.
Whether the Italian-Americans of the
District will take action in the movement
against Mr.. Wight, as race, does not ap-
pear so certain, but It is said that these
people feel that Mr.. Wight has not treated
them with as much consideration as he
might have shown them. claiming that he
has been particularly severe on the Italian
and Greek fruit venders. 1t was difficult
to obtain any direct expression from these
people today in the matter, although they
did not hesitate to say that Mr.. Wight's s
allusion to them was neither warranted nor
called for.
Attorney Sillers.
Attorney Albert Eillers, in discussing
Star reporter as follows: II am proud to
resided in this city. was greatly sur
prised to learn that Mr.. Wight had classed
so many representative citizens as law
breakers, for a great many such citizens
are Irish and negroes. and Italians as well.
l would like Mr.. Wight to tell the public
how many Irish murderers are now in our
jail. and If within his recollection one
1rishman has been convicted Of an infamous
crime. The Irish are law-abiding people
and a credit to every city in which they
locate. And as to the negroes, will say,
what every intelligent man will say, that
they have made wonderful advances since
the war. and full credit should be given to
them for their efforts. Our departments
are full of them, and those who are lawyers
and In other professions here compare IA
vorably with the whites. isMr. Wighrs as
PERSONS are as unwarranted as they were
Gnwise."
COlOred Mems Opinions.
E. M. Hewlett said today: "If what ap-
peared in the public press this morning
concerning a statement alleged to have
been made by Commissioner Wight before
committee of Congress be true he has
insulted all Of the respectable colored peo-
pie of the District and is not proper per-
son for reappointment as Commissioner"
Attorney Thomas L. Jones. colored, said
today of the question: 'It would seem to
me that there is no other alternative or
course for the President to take than that
of removing Commissioner Wight from
the position that he now. occupies. The
Hbelous false and outrageous charge that
ne mas made against the 10000 colored peo-
pie of this District, without any exception.
and his unjust arraignment and crimina-
ton of the Irish and Italians is beyond ex-
cuse and is reprehensible in the extreme.
These false statements deserve the rebuke
of the administration by his removal
forthwith To permit him to remain in
the nigh position which he now occupies
would give seeming credence to his utter
ances and the people thus libeled would be
branded as worse than safe crackers and
the. colored portion as murderers.
THE colored people of this District are,
as general rule, law-abiding citizens. Like
all other races, we have among us the good
and the bad ] say without fear of success
ful contradiction that the negroes of this
Dlstrlct lof intelligence, progress and de-
votion to law and order compare favorably
with any other race. So fares have been
able to observe 1 have seen nothing in the
life of the Irish or Italiai, that would war
rant such a broad charge ,f.gs