The Bull Catcher’s Salary

The Seattle Republican asked: Why comes this temerity and general unwillingness for Republicans to support colored men in this county for official positions? And especially when the Negro vote is as strong as it is. Let any other nationality under the sun have as many votes as the colored people have in this county and state, and they would be willingly granted ten times the recognition that is now given the Negroes. Kansas elected a colored man auditor of the state, when she had no more colored men, comparatively speaking, than Washington now has. Old fogies said the state of Kansas would be ruined if a Negro was nominated for auditor; it was done, and the Negro was not only nominated but elected and re-elected, and the grand old state still rolls on.

The colored men voted almost as a unit for the late city ticket, and the only recognition they have received for their fidelity is “bull catcher” at a salary of $60 per month, when the previous white incumbent received $115 per month. The position of dog catcher, which previously paid $80 per month, has recently been saddled onto the pound master, and he must do the two for $100, when white men received nearly $300 per month for the same amount of work. Such actions work with some people some time, but it won’t work with all the people all the time.

There is nothing to indicate but that the colored men will support the nominees of the Republican party almost to the man, and their rightful recognition should be seriously and amply considered. Not from a fear that they will bolt, but because it is just and right.