The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-19
PRESIDENT CENSURED
MR. ROOSEVELT SCORED FOR DINING BOOKER WASHINGTON
He Has Killed His Influence in the South by Setting an Example |.
 of Social Equality. |
Washington Special to Atlanta constitu-

- Washington Special to Atlanta Constitu-
 President Roosevelt shocked severely his. recently acquired Southern friends ana admirers by inviting Professor Booker T. Washington. the noted negro college president. to dine at the White tsors House last last night. Washington vent | feeling of indignation among Southern men, generally that the President should in the face of his declaration of friendiness toward the people of the show such a marked courtesy and dis unction to a negro.
 There is but one similar instance with of negro blood were dined at the White House by the President. That was dur ing President Cleveland's administra- ton, when Queen Liliuokalani visited this country to resist the proposed an- nextation of the Hawaiian Islands Then the royal party took dinner with the President.
 Political and Social Equality.
 What effect the dining of Professor Washington by President Roosevelt Is going to have upon his Southern policy remains to be seen. It Is predicted that it will drive from him some of his new allies. A few days ago, when deleRas ton of Southern politicians called 4nodn nd
  eral appointment, he took occasion to re- mark that the color of mans skin should not operate to his advantage or oSa ro dee f apparently intends to apply the same rule at his dinner table, and exercise his independence in the selection of his guests
 Some of the men who have talked with the President on the situation in the Southern States have come away from the White House impressed by frankness and question but at the same time many of them have also been convinced that he does not fully appreciate how difficult 1t is for the average white man or the equality with the negro. It Is for this reason that it has been more than once suggested to the President that. in the event of a change in the personnel Of the cabinet. it might be to his advantage to select a representative from the South to help solve the race problem Southern men here tonight in commenting on the President does not and cannot under stand the bad effect his inviting the me- gro leader to dirner will have on the at. titude of the negroes Of the South toward white men. their wives and their fami- lies.
 First Negro at White House Table.
 Former Presidents refrained from ex- tending dinner invitations to such noted negro leaders as Fred Douglass, B. K. Bruce, R. B. Elliott, P. B. $. Pinchback and Bishop Turner. These and other occupying official position either in the legislative or executive branch of the public service, were invited to the public receptions at the White House and al- ways went without exciting comment.
 In connection with the Booker T. Wash ington incident an occurrence at Albany during Mir. Roosevelt's term as Governor,
 A-. IA n.-A@ -l-A will be of much interest at this time.
 A young negro, who sings barytone in St. Georges Church in New York, gave a concert in Albany. He was very good negro. But when he got to Albany all the hotels were shut to him. He had no place to go. Governor Roosevelt heard of this and sent for the young singer, and invited him to the Executive Mansion, where he was lodged and fed during his stay in the State capital.
 There are but few Southern Congress- men here tonight. but those here voice but one sentiment when they declare that while they have the greatest loyalty for President Roosevelt. they cannot have the same respect for him that they enter tained before the Booker Washington din- ner incident.
 Southern Men are Disguised. As one distinguished Congressman re- marked:
 "I have no hesitation in saying that I believe l voice the sentiment of every intelligent Southern-born white man and white woman when I say that they can never take President Roosevelt or any other public man to their hearts who sits at the table and eats with a 'nigger. l confess. Booker Washington is a smart 'nigger' and way above the average, but at the same time he Is a 'nigger' just the same. and we neople of the South have been born and raised so that we cannot accept the negro as our social equal and we cannot respect any man to build up respectable white man party in the South he can never succeed by inviting 'niggers' to the White House for dinner"
 Several other statesmen from the South were interviewed on the subject, and, while obtecting to being quoted. they eX- pressed their surprise and indignation that such an incident should have oc-- cured at this time when the people of the South were looking to President Roosevelt to curtail rather than encour- age, negro domination in that section of the country.
 While 1t is conceded by conservative men from the South that Booker Wash- ingtons indorsement of Judge Jones had considerable wei0ht with the President, they nevertheless declare that the ap- Smiths and all the Browns in the South to Federal judgeships will not reconcile the white people of the South to the fact that the President of the United States ate at the same table with nlgger.
 Go cut to hear Senator Pettus at the Theatre tonight speak for the ratification of the new Constitution.