The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-14
That's What Negro Con-
gresham White Said.
He LEAVES THE CIRCUS
RATHER THAN SIT ON SEATS
WITH HIS OWN RACE
He DEMANDS SOCIAL EQUALITY
As is Proved by the Affidavits from People Of
unquestioned Character and Standing
in the Town of Tarboro.

in the Town of Tarboro.
The following are some affidavits re-
ceived from Tarboro which establish the
fact beyond controversy of the unseemly
antics of the negro Congressman, George
III. White, at Tarboro on the Sth inst.
This is the negro who in the Republican
State convention declared, in speaking OF
the color line that 1--WE invite the issue,
and say to the Democrats that negroes
are not only holding offices now. but
there are others being made to order
to hold more offices in North
Carolina" and these heralders of
fusion are declaring that the ques-
ton of negro domination is not an issue
in the campaign. This great big black,
burly' leader of the fusion forces in
North Carolina not only favors negro
domination, but is now demanding social
equality and declaring that he and the
negero women who were with him are
as good as the white people
Will not the white men of North Caro-
lima resent this insult and vote to forever
ouen such negro insolence and arrogance.
Let every white man read and reflect
upon the following affidavits:
North Carolina.
Edgecombe County.
The undersigned citizens of Tarboro
make oath that they were present at the
performance of Sparks circus at Tar
boro October 9Th, 1898; that they wit
messed George III. White, the colored
Congressman from the Second district,
in company with six or eight colored
women and children, take their seats
in the midst of the white people, and in
that part of the tent set apart for the
use of the white people; that there were
other seats, abundant in number and
equally comfortable, allotted for the use
of the colored people; that the said
White declined to move his seat when
requested to do so, first by person con-
nected with the circus and then by
town policeman, and finally resigned his
seat when commanded by another police
man of the town; that instead of taking
seats in another portion of the tent the
said White left with his entire party.
(Signed)
w. o. HOWARD,
Attorney at Law.
JOHN HOWARD,
First Lieut.. Co. /. I'd n. c. V.
GEO. A. HOLDERNESS.
Gen. Man. Carolina TEL Co.
J. w. 3. BATTLE, Merchant.
Sworn TO and subscribed before me this
October 18th, 1898.
(SigneD ED. PENNINGTON,
Clerk Superior Court.
I. Ed Pennington. Clerk of the Supe-
rior Court of Edgecombe county, State
of North Carolina. do certify that the
above is a true and correct copy OF afti-
davit now in my possession.
October 13, 1893.
ED. PENNINGTON,
Clerk Superior Court Edgecombe Co.
North Carolina,
Edgecombe County.
A. p. Fletcher, being duly sworn.
makes oath that he is an employee of
Sparks circus and was on duty inside
of the tent at the show at Tarboro, n.
c.. October 9Th, 1898; that during the
show complaint was made to him by
white persons that George II. White
ceiored. Congressman from the Second
district of North Carolina, accompanied
DIV SeNefdI cOlOTcu NOIicH anu
had taken seats among the white people,
of the seats set apart for the accommo-
dation of the white people: that he ap-
preached the said George III. White and
respectfully requested him to change
his seat to those allotted for the use of
the colored people, when he at first re-
fused to do so, saying he had paid his
money. and was as good as the white
IL. 4In,.g
upon obliged to call upon policeman to
compel the said White and others to
change their seats.
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this Sth day of October, 1893.
fSigned)
ED PENNINGTON, C. S. C.
A. p. FLETCHER.
Witness: Geo A. Holderness
I. Ed Pennington, Clerk OF the Superior
Court for the county of Edgecombe,
State of North Carolina, do certify that
the above is a true and correct copy Of
affidavit now in my possession.
In witness whereof / affix hereto my
hand and seal.
ED. PENNINGTON.
October Is, 1898.
North Carolina.
Edgecombe County.
J. r. Hedges, being duly sworn, makes
oath that he is citizen OF the state ana
county aforesaid and resident OF the town
of Tarboro; that he was present AT the
performance of Sparks circus IN lar
boro on October Sth, 1893, in company
with his children, when George H.
White, colored, accompanied by six or
eight colored women and children, took
seats among the white people, and in the
seats set apart for the exclusive use OF
the white people; that affiant made com
plant to one of the managers of the
circus, who went at once and asked
White to change his seat to those allot-
ted for the use of the colored people; that
White at first refused to change his
scat, and did so only after Il second police
man had directed him to do so; that