The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-10-02

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visits son. Americans will have no compassion for him
A CHANGE IN SOUTHERN POLICY
The other day in the white house Booker T. Washing
ton, who invitation. had long conference with
President Roosevelt The conference was significant
Walter Welman that months ago the then Vice
President Roosevelt had long talk with Booker Wash
ington in New York Colonel Roosevelt asked Mr. Wash
ington what in his opinion should be done improve the
outlook for the party in that section and get
the clutches Of the professional politicians and Office
hucksters who have long ruled it. Colonel Roosevelt
wante know what best for the party and best
the negro.
Booker Washngton's reply was that the best policy
which could be adopted by the party leaders the national
capital to turn down the old and appoint
highly respected white to federal ofces-men who
held the confidence of their neghbors the public
general that appointments should be without
regard to party lines; that if a community wanted
for postmaster collector happened to be Democrat,
that fact should not bar him from selection
IF you want to build up the Republican party in the
south and make Of it something besides byword and
reproach" said Mr. Washington. you broaden it
out You must get the better element of the whites in it.
That best for the party and best for the public service
It is also best for the negro"
The leader of the coored race in the south went on
to explain to Colonel Roosevelt that interview that
the present time many years past the Republican
party in the southern states had consisted simply
rival gangs Of professional leaders and Office traders They
claim to be able deliver the negro up all
the delegations to the national conventions The only
energy they display is in their rivalry to which is
to control and enjoy the emoluments AS rule one is
about dsreputabe the other. Neither represents
the people of the south Both obnoxious public opn
ion. They do nothing for the negro beyond giving
few minor jobs here there They do nothing for the
education uplifting Of race by disgusting the
whites with their roton borough rule in federal affairs
make impossible for the party which the negro
longs to have any real voice in public affairs.
Mr. Washington explained that he voiced these views
to Colonel Roosevelt not politician, he
politician and never expected to be- but because he had
most earnest desire better state of things through
out the south than that which prevails.
Colonel Roosevelt was so much impressed by what
Mr. Washington told him that he arranged visit
Alabama next November He was going to Tuskogee to
the famous institute and he intended look into the
social and political situation the south himself Of
course the President Mckinley changed these
plans But Mr. Roosevelt did forget the subject
asked Mr. Washington to to him for confer
Hence the visit of the leader of the negro in
America to the executive mansion.
It is known that for year President Mckinley
had been making inquiries to the situation of the party
in the south and had virtually determined make efforts
to reform He at least prepared to do what he
could But he handicapped by political con-
derations Practical politics had enabled mis- friends
many of the delegations from southern states to
the St Louis convention Of 1896 In this way some obga
lions had been incurred and these could not be uhessy
disregarded Within the limitations which inevitably
rounded him. Mr. Mckinley did the best he could. and
there doubt that had he lived considerable improve
ment might have been expected parts of the south
President Roosevelt is not bound by any obligations
He is absolutely reehanded Already he has the sympa
thy and confidence of the southern people to marked
degree and his friends represent him being very
in earnest his wish to institute policy If he
adheres his ideals follows his instincts viii
petey ignore all the oldme party leaders the who
have been fixing delegations and peddling out Offices
for He viii try to win the allegiance Of
class Of Republicans if they be found Of
proper quality and then Democrats gold Democrats
preferred, but men Of high class above all things
If the president does upon this policy everyone
in Washington viii watch with great eagerness to see
low far he carries it and with what success His ad
1nrers predict will push through and in time
effect political revolution in the south. Others
sanguine wonder if the approach Of the political
campaign 1904 with threats adverse delegations
the national convention chosen by the discarded leaders
viii not bling about change Of policy not of heart
The president has one appointment to make which in
measure brings up the whole southern question. The
death of L A. Webster collector of internal revenue for
South Catiina. little than week ago viii force
the Roosevelt administration show its hand in the
vexed olitical situation in that He tyne CT
the very Of leadership through trading maripua
ton which has made the Republican party of the south
stencil IL the nosrls eff most decent men Webstars
following. slender in numbers but many in audacity. viii
demand thar Ley be permitted 70 name the successor Of
taer late leader Above all. they ask that Senator Nc
aurn. is trying to build commercial Democracy
what used to be called Mckinley Democratic party
ia the state shall not control the appointment Senator
Hsnnas influence said be active in favor Of the
ganizauon Republicans President RQoseves sympathies
lean toward the new regime
The solder who thought the presidents tomb
attacked probably having his first experience N
graveyard al night
The island Of samar should be made an example Of