The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-10

by the Democrats delegation in Con-
gress: I'VE respectfully request that
competent white man of good character
be appointed postmaster at Wilson," and
no misrepresentation can change their
status.
The issue in the Wilson postmaster
ship at Wilson is clear cut. Sam Wick
is a negro. If the administration will
follow the Democratic precedent he will
not be appointed simply because the
Democrats Of North Carolina do not be-
lieve in elevating any negro to such posi-
ton. If MIR. Roosevelt removes Sam
Wick he will do so simply and solely be-
cause he is a negro, and in his Crum
letter he said he would do no such thing,
but that negroes should not be discrimi-
mated against in making appointments to
office. All over North Carolina Pritch-
ards supporters are declaring that
Pritchard will leave no negro in office in
North Carolina. In his letter of Deem
Der 2nd, Pritchard said
81 have been criticized because would
not recommend the appointment of col
ored people to office in Eastern North
Carolina"
A special from Washington yesterday
to the Morning Post, paper that helped
Pritchard to launch his Lily White party
acc
is not fighting the re-appointment of
Samuel II. Wick as postmaster at Wilson
because of the color of his skin The
Washington Star yesterday made the
same statement
1t begins to look like the President has
told Pritchard that he cannot afford, in
the face of his Crum letter, to remove
Wick because he is negro-the only
charge heretofore preferred. In order to
give Roosevelt an opportunity to remove
Wick and allege another reason than his
color Pritchard has announced, for
consumption in Washington city but
not in North Carolina, that he
but at this late day has compiled his
charges against him in the following
letter:
United States Senate,
Washington d. c., Dec. s, 1902.
Dear Mr.. President: / have the honor
to submit in writing my reasons for OPP
posing the reappointment of Samuel
Wick as postmaster at Wilson, N. C.
''In the first place Mr.. Wick has, dur
ing the past three years, done every
thing he could to obstruct those who
have been endeavoring to carry out what
l conceive to be the best policy for the
Republican party in Eastern Carolina.
At the Weldon Congressional convention
gentleman of high character, was can
didate for Congress. Mr. Patrick is a
gentleman of large means, and stands
exceedingly well with the best element
of the people of his district. He has
never, so far as l know, held any Fed
eral position. l was of the opinion that
the very best thing that could have been
done at that time for the Republican
party was to nominate Mr.. Patrick. Mr..
Wick was a delegate to the Weldon con-
divided between Mr.. Patrick on the one
hand, who was not Federal office
holder, and Colonel J. ]. Martin on the
other, who was postmaster at Tarboro.
Under the leadership of those who
have done all they could to disrupt the
Republican party in North Carolina, |
am informed, Mr.. Wick gave tho casting
vote in the Weldon convention in favor
l. nod tl~ Il
feat of Mr.. Patrick.
During the last campaign, l am in
formed he did everything in his power
to prevent the success of the Republican
legislative ticket in Wilson county. 1t
is a notable fact that the Republican
State ticket did not receive single vote
in the precinct in which Wick voted, and
the legislative ticket only received two
votes in his precinct, and | am informed
that both of those votes were cast by
white men. Now, / can we'll understand
why Wick, who has always opposed me,
should have voted against the legislative
ticket, but l cannot understand why he
should have voted against the Repupli-
can State ticket, containing, as 1t did,
the names of some the best Republicans
in North Carolina. In consideration OF
his services to the Democratic party, the
leading Democrats of Wilson now come
forward and endorse him as gentleman
of high character and standing.
IF Congressman White and the
leaders of the Democratic party of Will
son are to be consulted about this matter
! have the homer to suggest that you
send 70 interview a majority of the peo-
pie of character and intelligence in that
community as to whether or not they
prefer the appointment of Mr.. Wick to
that of Mr.. Boyl1in, whom | have recon-
mended, and that he require them to