The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-04
TO ASK WIGHf'S REMOVAL
The Resolutions Protesting Against
the commissioners Utterances to
the Negro Voters May Bolt If
Their Demands Are Not Needed.

The committee appointed at the meet
ing Of colored citizens Of the District. held
in the Second Baptist Church last Suu-
day to call upon the President and ask for
the removal Of Commissioner John b.
Wight from Office mas completed ar
rangements. and, according to its Chair
man. W Calvin Chase will go to the
White House today. Besides Mr.. Chase the
committee consists Of J. w. Patterson.
Lewis H. Douglass. c. l.. Marshall. and
j. 5 Thompson.
In anticipation of the call upon the
President. the resolutions passed at the
meeting last Sunday, have been suitably
prepared and an address has been formu-
lated both of which will be handed to Mr.
Mckinley for his reading and considera-
ton The resolutions set forth in a pre-
amble the language used by the Commits
sioner before a committee Of the United
States. casting reflection upon the colOred
citizens and taxpayers Of the District. and
CHASING them. as well as resident Italians
end irish. as criminals. and call upon the
President TO remove the said Commits
sioner from office or not to reappoint him
at the expiration OF his present term of
service
Mr. Chase stated yesterday that the ad-
dress drafted by the committee would
bring to the Presidents attention addi-
tionaI reasons to those embodied in the
resolutions why Commissioner Wight
should be either summsrily removed or
another man appointed in his place when
his term expires
The committee appointed at the meet
ing on Sunday to wait upon the Senate
District Committee to present resolutions
and to make a statement relative to the
opposition of the colored people of the
District to the reappOntment of Commits
sioner Wight. it is understood. will also
act today. This committee consists of
Prof y. E Weatherless. Miss Emma f. G.
Merritt, Dr.. Lucy f. L. Martin John A
Smms. and Prof. H. II. Hart. Il was
stated yesterday at the High School on
the authority Of Prof. Weatherless, that
the committee had completed its arrange
ments and was ready to go to the Capitol
TO perform its duty.
II is understood that the colored people
Of the District have entered into this fight
in earnest. Mr.. Chase stated yesterday
that his committee would make represen-
tati0ns to the President. which. he
thought, would command a hearing. The
colored people. he said. have been deeply
hurt by this unWarranted attack upon
their character as citizens. They are Of
the opinion. it was remarked that 4 mUui-
cipal official, dependent upon the colored
taxpayers for a part Of his annual salary,
who could use the language attributed to
him, is unfit for public office
We propose to have Mr.. Wight re.
moved or to defeat his appointment to
succeed himself" said Mr. Chase. IF
that is not done he continued. THE col
ored people OF the District have one re-
course left. They can send out word to the
10. 0O0, 900 colored people in the States that
a public official, appointed by President
Mckinley, says the negroes Of Washing
ton are equal to the criminal conditions
in any city. and If they stay away from
the polls IN some States We believe that
President Mckinley will not succeed him
self We should be lOath to take that
step but it is among the possibilities A."