Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-13
ALABAMA NAN
WAS FIRED
MONDAY
JULIAN H. BINGHAM DEP0SED
FROM COLLECTORS JOB FOR
EXCLUDING NEGROES FROM
REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10-Julian H.
Bingham, collector of internal revenue Tor
the district of Alabama, has been re-
moved from his Office and Joseph o.
Thompson appointed to succeed him.
The change was made as a result of a
political condition which recently arose
in Alabama. Colored Republicans were ex-
cluded from participation in the Repub-
lican state convention and Collector Bing-
ham was held responsible at least in
measure. for their exclusion.
Postmaster General Payne visited the
white house today, and as he left the ex-
ecutive offices made public the following
statement defining the reasons for the
change:
The change in the Office Of collector OF
internal revenue for the district of Ala
bama in no wise reflects upon the integ-
rity or ability of Mr.. Bingham, the incum-
bent of the office. II is one of lAose
things which occasionally happens in pol
itics. The position taken by the Republi-
cans of Alabama at their recent state con-
vention as understood by the Republicans
Of the north. is looked upon as a perver-
sion of the fundamental principles of the
Republican party. and Mr.. Bingham is
in measure, held responsible for that
action. hence the change.
Neither the administration nor the Re-
publican party of the north stand for the
exclusion of any section of our people by
reason of their race or color, when in
other respects such persons have COM
piled with the laws and are eligible UNI
der the law to full and free participation
in political action and are of high stan
dard of personal character. In other
words, there are now hundred colored
men in Alabama who come up to the re-
quirements Of the recently adopted state
constitution and are eligible for particle
patton in political affairs, and the action
of the Republican state convention refer
red to in arbitrarily excluding them is not
approved-no more than such action
would be approved If it were taken in
Ohio or Indiana.
Mr.. Thomson. the appointee, is brother
of Representative Thomson, of Alabama
He is a Republican, although his brother
represents n Democratic district.
OTHER HEADS WILL FALL;
OFFICE HOLDERS UNEASY
BIRMINGHAM. Ala, Nov. u.-There is
always fire wherever there is smoke. This
statement is now believed by Republican
.office-hOlders in Alabama who have been
hearing many rumoTs concerning proposed
destinations" but who have steadily de-
clared there was nothing in them. The
resignation of Mr.. Julien Bingham as
collector of internal revenue, which was
slater a few weeks since but which Is
just being made public. has caused again
much concern among those who have
been mentioned as possible "fated" folks
in Republican ranks. 1t is given out that
there are four or five more who are on
the rack and their heads will fall into the
official basket one by one. The reopen
ing of the question by the authorities at
Washington has given ofice-holders In
Alabama the regular jim-jams and there
is general rejoicing among the negroes,
who say that their elimination from the
raars ~ IN 10 70 &c Of the n
eral unheaval. It is claimed by negro
leaders that while they do not expect to
get the offices made vacant by the res
ignations' they will have the satisfaction
of knowing that their side Of the case is
not without support.
The leaders of the new Republican party
in Alabama, dubbed the Lilly Whites"
declare their intention of keeping up their
organization. 1t is stated that the re-
movaI of the office-holders on the part of
the administration is not exactly because
of the elimination of the negro. M. A.
Hanna, United States senator of Ohio, is
a possibility for the presidency. If he
does go before the national convention it
is claimed that Alabama's % votes will be
found ready to vote for him for the NOM
ination of president of the United States.
If men friendly to President Roosevelt
are in charge of the offices it is possible
they may bring about little difference on
the proposition mentioned and on a con-
test might change the tune to Roosevelt.
However, the men who are losing out
claim that it is just simply politics and
have secured an admission on the part
of the administration to this fact. The
negroes say that their elimination is the
cause of the whole trouble. A favorable
report has been made as to the conduct
of the offices, each officer being compe-
tent.