Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-08


WASHINGTON. October 7.-lspecial)-
President Roosevelt was placed In most
embarrassing position to-day when he re-
cciyed call from three prominent col
orcd ministers. who asked him directly
whether il was true that he sympathized
with the turning down OF negroes by the
white Republicans in North Carolina
and Alabama. Whatever the answer OF
the President. the negroes left the White
House declaring that the president not
only didn't approve the effort TO make
q white mans party Of the Republican
party in the South. but that he Intended
to punish some Of the men who have
been Instrumental In overturn1ng the
negro in those States. They further de-
cla-ed that the President intimated that
he had already put William Vaughan,
United States Attorney Of Alabama, out
of Office because Of his diScriminat ton
against the negro. and that the Presi-
dent intended to appoint successor TO
Vaughan who would be satisfactory to
the negroes. The callers consisted of
Bishops Alexander Walters of New Jer-
scy: G. W. Clinton. of North Carolina.
and Rev. S. l.. Corrothers, of this city.
Inc last named is soon 10 Cld" w d
statement OF the Presidents attitude as
to the negro, and will make it public.
He viii however, submit 1t to the Presi-
dent first.
GL1TTERING GENERALIT1ES.
What the President really said to his
negro callers was probably Of such a
general nature as to amount to little.
being to the effect that he had never
drawn the color line ana would not do
so; that his appointments were made,
regardless OF the color of a mans skin.
etc These generalities. with possibly
some specific assurances not directly
bearing on the main question, had a most
satisfac Glory effect on the negroes, who
had gone to the White House deter
mined to make trouble for the Republi
cans in the coming elections, II the Pres
ident had really become the hacker of the
Pritchardizing of the Southern Repub..-
can party. AS members Of the Execu-
tive Committee of the Afro-American
League. the ca llers have power to make
trouble for the Republicans, and they
hint that while their report as to his
assurances Will have a good effect, there
are many negroes in close Congressional
districts in the North who have deter
mined to act independently in the fu-
ture, and vote for whatever candidates
they see fit. 1t is limited that several
close districts may be turned by the
negro vote Unless the Republicans can
make change in negro sentiment. An
effort in this direction will be made.
CLARKSON AND PAYNE PRESENT.
1t was a noticeable feature that Gene
raj James s. Garrison, who managed
HarTisons campaign for negro votes in
the South, and Posmaster-GeneralP Payne,
the general political manager Of the adj
sr,i< Yy1f1
conference, giving it an Importance far
above the usual kick of ordinary negro
callers Mr.. Clarkson is supposed to be
looking out for the negro vote in the
South for this administration.
The action Of the negroes is in line with
the desires of negroes throughout Vir-
ginia. Several meetings have recently
been held in Virginia, and resolutions
adopted seeking to ascertain the atti-
tude of white Republicans toward the
negroes.
One of the visitors said after the con-
ference that what he could not under
stand was that the President was sup
posed to disapprove Of the throwing of
the negro overheard, and vet was on
the most friendly terms with Senator
Pritchard. by whose action the first step
was taken in the South to ignore the
negro.
PR1TCHARD STILL IN FAVOR.
Senator Pritchard was here a few DAYS
ago, and had long talk with the Pres-
dent. During the recent trip Of the Pres-
dents through North Carolina, Senator
Pritchard was with him all the time,
and the President is known to regard him
most highly. If he had seen fit to dsap-
prove the methods Of Senator Pritchard,
he could have done so long ago. The
President is naturally IN delicate posi-
uon when matter is put up to him so
stralghtly as was that to-day. He feels
most friendly toward the negro as a
man and citizen, but it is not believed
that he has given any positive assurance
that ne will attempt to stop the move
ment that has begun in North Carolina
and Alabama. He could not do so wl...-
out gong back on the policy inaugurated
from the beginning as to Southern APP
pcintments.
Virginia Republicans are going to be
thrown into conflicting emotions by this
visit and the Presidents alleged utter
ances. They have been on the point of
trying to bleach the Republican party
in that State, under the opinion that it
would meet with a favorable view from
the President Now they will have to
halt and take another look around be-
lore they will be able to know accu-
rately just what the President does
feel.
CONDITIONS MIXED.
The trouble is chat the three negro
callers put the question to the President
at time when conditions are decidedly
mixed as to Republican prospects this fall.
and the loss OF a few thousands of negro
votes would be dangerous
LIPToN'S CHALLENGE ISSUED.
F1ucky Britishers to Make Third Eff