The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-10
ADMINISTRATION IS WROTE
North Carolina Fight Grows
 in Interest.
Statement Seemingly Inspired hy White House Assails Democratie Congressman for Asking That
 Wick Be Turned Down.

Washington, Dec. s.-tepedsLl l-iThe niy white fight is just begun. and Democrats are drawn into 1t tonight in . msnnE highly sensational.
 The Evening Star prints staTtiina White House statement growing cut of . visit made Monday afternoon by Senator Simmons (Dem.) and Democratic Repre- sentatives from Nerth Carolina to Rests master General Payne to request that . respectable white man be appointed pcst- master at Wilson. that State. in place of the negro postmaster Wick. againse whom Senator Pritchard. lily wAits leader. had just protested ts the rresi- dent in what was called . stormy in- terview" in the White House.
 The so.e objection to Wick is hs is . negro
 The Star. which Is admittedly high iu administration authority, as well as public confidence. declares this evening:
 ''The administration. it may be stated on most competent authority, is disposed to regard as officious and as premeditated the interference of North Carolina Nemo- cratic members of Congress in the cass of Postmaster Vick at Wilson, N. c. The administration has reached the conclu- sion, from facts before the officials ana from deductions. that the North Carolina Democrats are trying to place the Presl- dent in position that will either harm him with the negro vote of the country or lessen the estimation of Southern white people for him.
 Advice Not Wanted.
 The matter has been seriously con- sidered and the opinion is strong that the North Caroline Democrats have mixed in matter in which courtssy only gives them the right of interference, and that they have done so with political object in view.
 Tt is pointed out that should the Presi- dent refrain from giving VIck another term as postmaster. it would be declared by the North Carolina Democrats ana by Democrats throughout the country that the President had turned Wick down because he was negro.
 "on the other hand, should vIck bs again given his position. the President would be proclaimed as hostile to the sentiments of Southern white men Of both parties who desire to eliminate the negro.
 At the same time the assertion would be made that the President was opposed to decent Republican party in the South
 The Democrats, especially those in North Carolina, where the negro oues- ton has been an issue for a number ef years. would profit by this kind of . nght by being able to keep the negro ghost alive in campaigns for a good while to come.
 The fact that the North Carolina Democrats have interfered at all is re- sented as much as anything else because he Ura thmU hax Y~s not the custom of Democrats or those from the South to visit the departmentn or the White House and enter either cb- Jecdons or approvals Of candidates for of1ce. 1t is declared.
 The place for such cbjections to be made is in the Senate when nominations are sent there. and 1t is rather an ur- heard of proceeding. 1t is said. for . Democratic delegation to visit the Post master General and proclaim it's oppos,- ton to a man for an onscs
 Wick Not a Republican.
 'It is learned that Postmastsr viek does not deny that he opposed the Repub- lican ticket in North Carolina this year.
 He openly admits to the Postofice De- partment that he did so and says his reason was that the negro had been elim- mated by Senator Pritchagd and his fol- lowers and there was no cause for the negro to give his support to men who had declared they did not want 1t and wanted the negro done away with politically.
 "The question of Wick promises to be one of the most important passed upon by the administration and no one att tempts to say what the outcome is going to be-"
 This from The Star has created the greatest political sensation experienced here in a long while.
 The Advertiser correspondent asked Simmons for an expression of opinion. The Senator said:
 If the statement Is authoritative. and certainly 1t bears every evidence of being inspired. if not actually dictated. then I must say it is the most extraordinary utterance that ever emanated from the White House. It is not only a denial of in their representative ea- pacity. but denies the right of citizens to appeal and to be heard in affairs directly their interests.
 "The proposition is preposterous and outrageous. for 1t would shut off all Den- ocratic members of Congress from mak- Ing recommendation to the great depart ments.
 My Democratic colleagues and myself went of our right to Postmaster General Payne and asked him to appoint a re- spectable white man postmaster at Will son. We did not mention WICK, we dld not even use the term negro. We merely requested that white man be appointed. without mentioning any name. for we had agreed upon. had con- suited upon. no choice of our own. Yet The stars story bears all outward evil Hence of being authorized by the Presi- dent possibly dictated by some one speaking for him
 Lucien Julien Walker,
 Ready for Allotment.