The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-05-13
IN tLl-FAvOR.
Langston Turned Down at the
Treasury Department.


knows Prof. John NJ. Langston of Vir-
GINA, who has served both as Uni'cd
States minister and Congress- nan. lie
has always been a staunch Republican,
and, though 4 colored man, is one of the
brightes and ablest advocates of the
Republican party, and one ofits shrewd-
est politicians. He is also man of
superior attainments and noted for his
courtesy and urbanity. But Chester.
field must sometimes give vent TO right
eous Indignation. This tho professor
him just after no had left the Treasury
Department, fresh from an interview
with Assistant Secretary Nettleton.
The professor had called there, he
said, to consult the assistant secretary
in regard to certain appointments prom
ised him over two weeks ago, and which
have not yet been made. mir. Nottle-
ton met me-" said Prof. Langston, ''by
saying, Il have been advised, through
the private secretary Of Secretary Eos
ter. that l may not mako any haste in
making the appointments promised be.
cause of tho position which you took
against the administration and against
the President at the late Virginia Re-
Prof LangSton inquired of Assistant
Secretary Nettleton what he Uhe pro.
fcssor) had said or what he had done
that had caused this change of feeling
toward him, and this new purpose on the
part of the chief Of the Treasury De-
partment. Wheroupon Assistant Sec
rotary Nettleton asked:
did not you say something against
the administration? Did not you say
something against the President at
your recent State convention"
"Oh. no." said Prof. Langston. 81
commended the administration. |
spoke highly of tho President, even de-
claring that if had an opportunity of
casting the vote Of the nominating con-
vention then and there / should cast it
for benjamin Harrison, thus renomi-
mating him, and, as | trust, Projecting
him. That's what said at our conven-
ton
Then" said Prof. Langston, "the
assistant secretary asked me if l had a
printed copy of my speech made on that
occasion, to which ] answered | had
not. 4 stated to him distinctly what
said at that convention and all that
said. told him that did speak against
instructing the Virginia delegates to
tho Minneapolis convention, saying
was opposed to instructing delegates to
national convention under any and all
INSTANCES. | am opposed to instruct
ing delegates at this time, for, as l told
him l said i'll my speech, the names of
many distinguished men are being
called in connection with tho nomina-
ton and the election, and it is far bet.
ter, as it is wiser and think much
moro patriotic, for delegates to como to-
gether at Minneapolis and after gener-
Gus and proper conference determine
which one of the great men of our nation
connected with the Republican party
shall be put in nomination for the high
est Office in the gift of the people,"
Prof. Langston said that the assist.
ant secretary simply repeated: II have
my instructions, sir, through the private
secretary Of the secretary, and if you
doubt 1T, Mr.. Langston, go in and see
the secretary, and If you cannot see the
secretary, let Mr.. Wynne (thc private
secretary say to you what he has said
to nae in that behalf"
To this" SAID the professor. 81 re-
piled: MIR. Secretary Nettleton, &C
cept what you say as true, and since
your department proposes, without any
just cause, TO prescribe me, and thus, as
you hope, to advance the interests of
the present administration and work
the nomination of Benjamin Harrison. 7
shall take my course in the premises
and You have decided to take yours. |
am exceedingly grateful to you. sir, for
making promises to me and not kee ping
them. And now l bid you good bye.
We will meet at the right time, at the
right place, and under tho right circum~
stances, and you will find that | stand
fast by my Republican faith, obedient
to tho highest good of the people of the
State of Virginia, where reside.'''
III looks and actions, as we'll as speech
and manner, go for anything, the pro-
fessor certainly impressed the reporter
that he now means war to the knife"
on the administration. He appeared
most earnest and determined as to his
course, which, he said, was the only way
he could out Of self-respect resent; such
an implied effort to apply to h m the
political gag in behalf even of the Presi-
dent
The professor continuing said: "On
the 18th day Of May, at the Farmville
convention, hold in my own district my
course in the Fifty. first Congress, as the
representative from that district, was
fully Endorsed upon unanimous vote
and was elected by reclamation TO
represent the district at the Minneapolis
convention. The friends of Gen. Will
lion Malone had talked to mo about
honoring me with the delegateship from
the State at large. This declined, pre-
ferring to represent my own district, and
this / will do
Whatever may have been tho prefer
ence of Prof. Langston as the Republi-
can nomination at the Minneapolis con.
vention before he entered the Treasury
Department yesterday morning, when no
had this somewhat remarkable inter.
view with Assistant Secretary Nettle-
ton. who, it seems, was authorized to
read the riot act to the professor. he