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The Color Line
- University of Wisconsin Press
- Chapter
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The Color Line Belle Case La Follette august 23, 1913 Heretofore, in the streetcars, and, as I understand it, in the government service there has been no oªcial discrimination against the colored people. Since the advent of the new administration, however, there has been unquestionably a marked change, not perhaps so much in sentiment, as in the freer, stronger expression of the determination to impose upon the District of Columbia the usages of the Southern states in the matter of race segregation. There has been talk before this of Jim Crow cars here, but it has been only talk. Very few have really believed that a movement for segregation of the races in the streetcars could be made to carry at the capital of the nation. But now the possibility is being regarded more seriously. Segregation on the streetcars has no more foundation in right than segregation of pedestrians on the highway. It seems strange that the very ones who consider it the greatest hardship to sit next to a colored person in a streetcar entrust their children to colored nurses and eat food prepared by colored hands. Men like Senator Vardaman and Representative HeXin are advocating with Southern vehemence the suppression of all opportunity for growth and advancement of the colored citizens of the United States. Such an announcement as follows is a proclamation of hate and strikes terror to the hearts of the colored race. SHALL THE NEGRO RULE? All other questions are minimized under the shadow of Social Equality and Preference for Negroes In the employ of the government of the United States SENATOR JAMES K. VARDAMAN And other prominent speakers will address the people at a public meeting to be held under the auspices of the National Democratic Fair Play Association Which stands for segregation of the races in government employment, and “reorganization of civil service” as declared for in the national democratic platform of 1912. At this meeting the policy of appointing negroes to government positions will be fully and freely discussed AT OLD MASONIC TEMPLE, COR. 9TH AND F STS. N. W. Washington, D.C. Wednesday Night, August 6, 1913. Admit Bearer At 8 o’clock 101 In our homes and on the streets we hear snatches of conversation that bespeak the fear and su¤ering caused by this new agitation. My cook asks me: “Is it true they can send us to Africa? “What do I know of Africa?” she says, with choking voice. “I was born here. I have always lived here; and I wants to die here.” With all the traditions of a race but Wfty years from slavery—indeed with no other tradition—with high oªcials, leaders of the party in power, talking of deportation, is it any wonder that even the younger generation are Wlled with apprehension and do not feel that security as to their rights which the newest immigrant enjoys? There are over eleven thousand civil service employees working for the government . More than half of them are in the various departments here in Washington. These employees have competed with whites for their places, taking the same speciWed examination. I have the information direct from the secretary of the United States Civil Service Commission that except in positions where the physical qualiWcations are the important consideration, and in a few of the higher places drawing over eighteen hundred dollars a year, where personality is required, there is no means of knowing whether applicants are white or colored and, except for the handwriting, whether they are male or female. The colored people are justly proud of success achieved on their own merit, like that gained in the Civil Service. This spirit, according to every ethical principle, should be encouraged by our government. It is the rock on which democracy rests. The colored people sense the meaning of any governmental discrimination against them with deep feeling, and the suggestion that the color line may be drawn in the government service has awakened a resentment I have never known before among the colored people here and, I understand, has aroused great indignation wherever the possibility of such a course has been discussed in centers of negro population elsewhere. Twin Evils of the Literacy Test Privilege and Race Discrimination Threaten the High Standard of This Country Louis D. Brandeis april 1915 Address before the New Century Club We, who are gathered here, know how strong are the arguments against the Literacy Bill. But let us not misconceive the situation...