The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1938-03-05
WHY VOTE


history. reasons. principles, ant
most important OF all, the advan-
tages OF the tiny. but yet mammoth
ballot. Why do We take the trouble
to vote Some OF US trudge
through slop, mud and rain on
election day . why,
This can be answered for a few
There are those who vote for a
pocketed dollar .. greedy Ne
groes who strive for selfish pow
er. and sell their people for few
filthy dollars Then too, there are
those who vote because their faith
ers did. Too frequently we cast the
anne ballot repeatedly for nothing
more than heritage reasons. Also
there are those Of us who sincerely
try 10 vote in the best interest u
The community. Naturally the latter
motive Is by far the more valuable.
To my knowledge. since the in
ception Of the state. there have
not been employed in the Depart
ment OF the Auditor General. Ne
groes for any other type Of work
than that OF janitorial nature.
But today under the impartial
guidance OF George T. Gundry.
there are now employed. fifteen
colored workers In the capacities
of clerks. typists, and one super
visor and II might be interesting
10 note hat under the supervision
Of this colored member. there are
no Negro workers only white
clerks consisting OF both sexes. |
mention this fact solely TO dis
prove the past and present conten-
ton OF former Office holders that
plan whereby Negroes and
whites Of both sexes worked side
by side at desks. Just simply
would not work ont But Mr. Gun
dry and his fellow party office
holders have by all means sue
cecded in disprovine this outra-
reons and prejudiced contention.
Why should we have colored
workers employed in our state
governmental departments? In the
first place. We contribute through
our system Of taxation. financial
support for the maintenance Of
that government our share al
mounting we'll up into the hum
dreds Of thousands Of dollars.
Then is il not right that we re-
ceive share Of the work that
this system cerates? Furthermore.
we are definite part Of our COM
monwealth and il Is only right
and just that We play an active
part In such commonwealth. In
Mr. Cundy's department alone, We
as a group today. receive in moni.
'cry return for our active part some
10000 per year That is but
one State Department but we take
into consideration the fact that our
race is represented in every other
department OF the state, from the
Governors Office down 10 those OF
Tar lesser importance. The High
way Department under VanWag-
ner the largest department OF the
state. employs great number
ranging in occupations from lab
oratory experts down 10 janitors
The Secretary OF State Depart.
ment under Leon H. Case employs
branch managers. road representa-
tivcs. cArks, typisis. and last but
not least janitors Many other dc.
parmens OF state, TOO numerou;
and small 10 numerate. employ Ne.
groes, some in high positions anC
some In lower II Is safe TO sa,
that the total amount is approx
nately siO0.O 100.
However. the writer of this ar
ticle Is mostly concerned with Mr.
George + Gundry. the Audito
General II this state. Concerne,
win him because he sees I'm hin
a fan reaching political future 81
matter what we advocate as on
party affiliations when we find be
fore rs a generous. -mindei
sialwart man. Il Is time that W.
forsake general and customar
habits and do tho wise progress
sive' ana advantageous thing. VIII
should we elect to office any MAJ
no matter what party he belongs
" he refuses 20 give us defini
aud active part In an institution
You and aid in supporting cac
ime We purchase nm article OK
rcedlng fifteen cents ~ cost? Gu
ysiem Of taxation excludes nons
taxes al peoples equally, and 81
tha use and distributions of mi
tax money should be as imparlia
So my friends. when election Tim
has come and YOU find yourself
: confronted with the problem q
who TO vote for be sure that yo
know who in your state govern
ment has dealt fairly with you
people II man has been fair an
has given a good administration
; vote for him. But II has refuse
: TO recognize US as part of IN
: commonwealth. vote against hir
e and talk against him.
= IL Is most unfortunate tina
each and every Negro cannot Wis
= the Capitol Of the State OF Mich
gan and witness for himself IN
part that his people aer playing /
the state government II this wer
+ possible, each and every one {
. you would be profoundly happ,
e and proud TO see how fine and dis
= nified employed Negro member
: are representing the race Fac
3 Negro employed here. is doin
b wei his share to prove that Negro
es are efficient. dlgrifled and con