Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-10
RESULT OF INQUIRY
THE ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION
AGAINST NEGROES.
Investigation of the Civil Service Com
mission-Feeling Of the
Whites.

The civil service commission has been en-
gagged in the investigation of charges OF
discrimination against negroes In the mat
ter Of examination for office In the southern
states. Two of the cases concerning when
inquiry has been made are those OF william
c. Carter and Martin ]. Horribly, both OF
whom claim to have resigned under pres
sure from the post office at Yazoo. MISS.
In the case of Horribly the charge was made
that he had been maltreated at Yazoo, and
there seemed to be a general feeling that
the people of that section had determined
that while negroes might act as carriers
for the post Office at that place, they would
not be permitted to fill the places of clerks
in the office.
The investigation was made by George S.
Donnell, district secretary of the civil ser
vice commission, and his recommendation
has resulted in securing a suggestion from
the commission which applies to many
other places in the south In the matter of
the examina tions MIR. Donnell decided that
they had been fair. His investigation, how
ever, led him to the general conclusion
chat the negroes have been made to know
that they will not be allowed to hold clerk
ships in the post Offices"
Mr. Donnell suggested that in the small
offices of this district, two separate regis
tiers be made, as in the larger offices, one
for clerk and one for carrier. The negroes
now realize, he says that when they accept
clerkships in the smaller offices in the dis
trict 1t means trouble for them, and In nine
cases out of ten, thinks Mr.. Donnel, they
would not apply for clerkships but would
be satisfied to accept carrier positions.
A Remedy Proposed.
Mr. Donnell has been informed that the
subject Of separate registers for clerks and
carriers in the smaller post offices has al
ready been thoroughly canvassed by the
civil service commission and the post office
authorities and that the decision has been
reached that 1t is not practicable to make
change in the present system II is point.
ed out, however, that IL the contention or
Mr. Donnel is true that the negro eligibles
on this combined register really prefer to
act as carriers-a position in which their
services are welcomed by white southern
ers-this can be brought about without any
discrimination by the civil service commits
sion against an eligible because of his color.
Under the regulations every eligible has
the privilege of indicating the kind of posi-
ton covered by his eligibility which he is
willing to accept, and which he indicates a
preference he is not certified to any other
position. If. therefore. negro ellgibles on
the clerk-carrier register indicate to the
commission that they desire appointment
only in the capacity of letter carrier, they
will! not thereafter be certified to clerk
places. It Is believed that when this fact
is thoroughly understood the negroes on the
clerk-carrier register will voluntarily ex-
press their desire to accept only the carrier
position, and thus avoid future difficulties.
Carter's Complaint.
Out of the well-known antipathy Of the
whites to the employment of negro clerks
some peculiar cases of alleged graft have
been brought to the attention OF the civil
service commission. One of these Is that of
the man William c. Carter. negro teacher,
who after reporting thrilling experience
at Yaxoo represented that he had been re-
strained from taking a place as clerk In
the post office at Greenwood. Miss. Gov
ernor Vardamans name was brought into
this case. and 1t has been much discussed.
body of whites to forward his resignation
to Washington before beginning his duties.
A post ONCE inspector who was detailed to
inv estigate the case has Just made his re-
port, which Is, in part, as follows:
The Inspectors Report.
at appears that this colored Professor
Carter Is engaged as a teacher in the public
schools of Mississippi during the school
term. he gets on different eligible lists at
offices where he knows colored clerks will
bo objected to by white patrons. and when
he is certified and nominated for appoint
ment he appears on the scene and tells the
white patrons that he has no desire to force
himself upon them; that he came under the
Misrepresentation that he was to be car
rier and was totally misled as to the nature
of the duties he was to be assigned to: that
he was at great financial loss in coming to
accept the position. but would not insist
and would return home. but would thank
them for as much financial aid as they
could bestow on him. All this appeals to
the white man, and at Yazoo City Carter
obtained q neat sum. and according to
Grey's admission on cross-examfnation Car
ter's only object in getting on the eligible
list was that he might sell out and seek new
pastures. From Yazoo City Professor Car
ter went to Greenwood, Miss and took the
examination. and went from there to Pine
Bluff, Ark.
"I am not advised as to whether or not
he took the examination, but while in that
city he was notified Of his nomination to q
clerkship at Greenwood, Miss, which he
hastened to accept IN the capacity Of sub
stitute He reached Greenwood. told his
usual tale Of having come under . nisap-
prehension, and by his plausible manner
and deaira NOT to thrust hiuaalf on the