Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-31
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Southern Appointments Give
President Much Concern.
WICK AND CRUM GASES
TENNESSEE MAN FOR MINISTER
TO LIBERIA.
Bishop Sbaretti Presented by Gen.
Wood-Overlooking Preparations
for Receiving Guests Tomorrow.

OenL TO remain III Ills OluCc, dLo oASOA
spending an hour in receiving callers he
went for long horseback ride, not return
ing until the afternoon. Before he went
out he received Bishop Sbaretti. the apos-
tolic delegate to Canada. Bishop Sbaretti
was in charge Of Catholic affairs in Cuba
when Gen. Leonard Wood was governor of
the island, and they worked out together
number Of difficult problems. Gen. Wood
accompanied Bishop Sbaretti to the White
House. Representative Eddy Of Minnesota
presented some friends Secretary Hay
paid brief call. and Senator Burrows
made an appointment to see the President
this afternoon, as did Senator Perkins Of
California.
The President surveyed the preparations
for the reception Of guests at the White
House tomorrow. He looked over the work
on the east terrace Of the building, the
new wing which will be used a great deal
during the coming social season as the en-
trance for guests. The work on this ter
race is nearing completion. The painting
will be done at intervals so as not to inter-
fere with the social functions. The Presi-
dent suggested some minor changes pre-
liminary to the reception tomorrow.
Customs Administrative Act.
A delegation from the Merchants Asso-
citation Of New York called on the Presi-
dent and later on Secretary Shaw in re-
gard to revision Of the customs admins
trative act. The committee was composed
Of Thomas H. Downing H. A. Metz, G. w.
]. Angel and s. c. Meade Proposed changes
in the customs administrative act have been
under consideration by this association
since 1900, when the question was fully
presented to President Mckinley and for
mer Secretary Gage. The amendments are
urged on the ground that they would be
for the better protection of the govern
ment the domestic manufacturer and the
honest importer. A committee long ago
prepared suggestions for changes, and
retary Shaw who discussed the details
with the committee. Secretary Shaw has
promised to go into the matter fully.
Several Knotty Appointments.
The President is expected to reach a de-
cision early next week in the case Of Post
master Wick, the colored off1ceholder of
Wilson. N. c., who is fighting for another
term despite the adverse recommendation of
Senator Pritchard.
The President will also probably decide
whether he will appoint DR.. Cruu, colored,
as collector Of customs at Charleston, S. C.
Out of this case has grown much bitterness.
The President has carefully investigated
charges preferred against DR.. Crum, and,
as far as known. has found nothing to sus-
tain them. At the last accounts he intend
ed to appoint the colored applicant to the
POSlIlVI. Liz S1ldIleSlOH people nave DlC-
terly fought Crum on account Of his color.
Realizing the probability of his selection
they have turned to Senator Tillman, who
will likely fight the confirmation Of Crum
In the Senate with all his might, bringing
forward, it is claimed, new batch Of
charges against the nominee.
The cases Of Crum and Wick have given
the President much concern, and have
taken up his time more than any other
two cases. He desires to be fair to all per-
sons directly or indirectly involved. He
does not propose to discriminate against
either of these men because of his color,
and will not do so, but he likewise does not
propose to needleSSly 1nf1ict men upon COM =
munfties in the south against whom there
Is any reasonable ground for material OBJ
lection. That Is why he has taken time to
go over the cases fully. The Crum case
has especially been full of entanglements
and worry because Of the violent opposition
to his appointment from white people, led
by influential papers. In the neighboring
city OF Savannah the President nearly a
year ago reappointed Deveaux colored
man, as collector of customs, but the white
people raised no objection to his appoint
ment.
Tennessee Man for Minister.
The President, it is understood, has prac-
tically decided upon a Tennessee colored
man for minister to Liberia to succeed Dr.
]. r. A. Grassland, who will probably be
recalled from his post, but a number of
colored men from. different parts Of the
country are candidates and will be pre-
sented in a short time. One of these is
]. c. Napier Of Nashville, a man of ability
and standing in the south. He is a gradu-
ate of Fisk University, an ex-member of
the Tennessee legislature, and a son-in-
law of the late Prof John NJ. Langston. A
number Of leading southern men, It is said,
look with favor upon him.
Invited to Smoker.
Saturday night there will be a meeting
and smoker in the New Willard of naval
and army officers, scientists, newspaper cor
respondents, artists and magazine writers
who accompanied the relief expedition to
Martinique and st. Vincent last May Prof
Russell of Michigan University, Prof, Jag
ger of Harvard. Prof. Hovey Of the Amer
lean Museum Of Natural History as welt
as Prof Robert T.. Hill and George Ken
nan Of Washington. besides twenty others
forming the party who visited the stricken
tropical islands on the Dixie and other YES.
sells, have signified their intentions to at
tend. AS the President acted quickly In
starting a relief expedition it Is felt that
meeting of those who went would be in
complete without him. and he has been in.
vited to attend.