The colored American., 1902-05-17

ords-have not only received Commen-
datiOn for efficiency, but have been pro-
NOTED as well, clearly showing the first
record TO have been false
| AS to the matter of unjust charges of
inefhciency, the "one in a position to
know" has only TO examine the records
to ascertain the facts that several col
Ored clerks have been compelled to
make official complaint of their treat
ment IN respect TO such record-juggling
and have proven cOnclusively that their
complaints were based on facts as dis
closed by the falSihed records.
AS this statement may be too general,
let us be a little more specific and ask
the lone who is IN a position to know"
| IT he Is not fully aware that the records
will show that to prevent cOlOred clerks
| from getting descrvedprOmOtions section
chiefs have even gone so far as to leave
them out of their monthly reports en-
tirely? These occurrences might have
| been charged up as OversightS if it were
not for the fact that later these same
clerks had to make official complaints of
their rating, and as said before, upon
investigation their rating was placed
much higher and that the verifierS and
section chiefs who had adopted such
records were clearly proven guilty. All
this might be charged as the work of in
dividuals were it not for the fact that
these verifers aud section chiefs were
soon promoted to $1,000, and are still
upon the rolls.
In speaking of records, Mr.. Campbell
knows as we'll as anyone who is in
lposition to. know" that in many i'm
stances the records of colOred clerks
have counted for little if anything in the
Census Office and have at times as we
lhave stated, been dOctOred to suit the
WhimS of those who had them IN charge
and if the director does not know, 1t is
! about time he was so informed, for 1t IS
current history.
To be more specific, let us take, for
instance, the facts surrounding the case
of the only colored clerk who was on
1.-The rolls accredited to Nebraska. He
passed a Creditable examination, was
recommended for and promised posi-
ItiOn as clerk He came TO Washington
as late as January, 1901, and was put to
work as a laborer at 5000 per annum. BY
little kicking and some influence he
, was afterwards transferred to his cor
: rect position as clerk, but then at only
S72o. By efficiency and attention to du-
ties he was soon promoted to 5000 and
: later to SI.ooo-all within one year
. ltime. But such a record was set at
: naught and to get rid of him charge
: lof ineficiency was preferred against
t him. This has been repeated in numer-
2 Gus other cases of competent coloTed
t clerks.
e Is this the fruit of imagination?
II is not the fruit of imagination
however. to say that cOlOred clerks who
receive only 5000 and $1,000 per annun
. are working side by side with, and upon
the same class of work as white clerk;
no more efficient, who receive salaries OF
81 200. These colored clerks are re-
: Iouired to make as good records and art
JUDGED nv the same standard as those
: lreceiving ST 200, with no hope OF pro
{ motion as an incentive to better Work
I III is also quite patent that no colore'
). clerks have ever been given the chanc'
: to fullv demonstrate their ability III al
4 executive way. .,
Az TO the criticism of those who com
II plain of the dropping OF white clerk
e and Dermitting colored ones to remain
a we have only TO say that we are tull'
l. aware the fondest hopes OF many II
e the Office and many others on the out
/, side would be realized II every colore'
q emDIovee should be dropped at once
d This. however, may be the truit
imagination.