The times., 1897-05-03
BUHDY DEFENDS HIMSELF
Colored Candidate for Naval Ca
detship Defines His Position.
MENTALITY AGAINST COLOR
Does Not Expect Social Equality ut
Annapolis, But VIII Treat Other
Cadets as OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Of
His Parents Were Slaves-HiS
Family History Related.

Cincinnati, May 2.-R. c. Bundy, the
colored boy whom Congressman w. b.
Shattuc has nominated for "a cadetship
at the National Naval Academy, at An
napolis, fairly earned the appointment by
his record i'll a severe competitive eXami-
nation The appointment has raised, Of
course a storm of protests, and should
lie persist in entering the academy, is
feared he will find more thorns than roses
in bis path.
Bundy is a resident of Cincinnati, and
is less than eighteen years old His
father is an itinerant preacher, and his
mother is a cbiropodist Bundy is not d
full-blooded negro, but d mulatto, light
in color and good looking. Yet there is
more than enough negro blood in his veins
to make him persona non grata to many
other cadets
Before his admission to the academy
young Bundy VIII have 70 pass The usual
examination. His Cincinnati friends say
that he will have no trouble in doing this,
anu, as Congressman Shattuc refuses to
consider the withdrawal OF the young
mans name, nothing but this final test
stands between him and admission to the
academy.
Bundy has prepared a statement of his
feelings concerning the objections raised
to bis appointment and giving a sketch
OF his family history, as follows
Il was born January 81, 1879, at
Wilmington, Ohio, and am, the eldest Of
four children. Ny father, Charles Bundy,
As a descendant OF the Bundys OF Virginia.
a wealthy White family. Ny grandfather S
father was his master ton fathers side.
Ny mother, Eliza Alice Needham, comes
from an ariStocTatic West Virginia family
10y the name OF Lewis. Her grandfather is
white Neither my mother nor father were
ever slaves.
MY father is an itinerant minister in
the African Methodist Episcopal church,
and at my birth was stationed at VIII
rnington, Ohio. On account OF his yOca-
ton, have resided in Hamilton, Zanes
VILE, SteubenyHe, and Cincinnati, Ohiu, re-
spectively, and it was in the public schools
OF the three latter places that | obtained
my primary education.
owing to the fact that my father has
been stationed at Cincinnati rs presiding
elder of the above-named church for four
years past, have been able TO finish tina
four years course at Woodward High
in June.
In regard to my appointment TO An
napolis as United States naval cadet by
Gen. Shattuc, l have simply this to say:
/ obtained the appointment through a
competitive examination, which was held
at Madisonville, Ohio, on Saturday, March
81 There were eight applicants who COM
pcted, and, after the examination was
over, it was found that had made the best
percentage. Hence / received the appoint
ment. Gen. Shattuc had scarcely made
his appointment known when all the news
papers of the country took the matter UP
and discussed it, some for me and some
against me. About this time appeared IN
article in many of the papers stating that
''ff coIored boy was admitted TO the
academy the cadets would all resign
and "A colored boy will be ostracized and
Disseminated against at Annapolis l
don t believe the cadets at Annapolis W ould
be guilty of making any such statements as
are quoted above.
1.-THE world is fast advancing to a
place where the mind and mental ca
pabilities of man will supersede the
color of his skin and the prejudice against
him. Annapolis is educat ting and train
ing Americas best youths, and | don't
think that they are so far biased 10y
| narrow mind and DETECTED conscience
as to overstep the bounds of common de-
cency and gentlemanliness. This IS a
| Government of the people, by the people
and for the people Annapolis is Gov
ernment school. Should she then close
her doors on any of Americas loyal sons
who seek TO educate themselves that they
may defend the Constitution by which
they are protected?
$50 far as social equality is concerned
| do not demand it and do not expect to
| get it. Therefore, If they treat me a
little cold on that score / viii not be
| disappointed. All 1 ask is that they
| give me what l earn by my own intel
| leotual efforts. 1 expect to be hazet
| Just as any other new conner That
| will not object to as long as it is no
| brutal. 1 intend to go to the Academy
| In September, and if 1 am successful in
| getting in my rule of action will be tt
treat them all as gentlemen, and 1 shal
| expect the same of them.
.''R c. BUNDY."