The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-29
Its Second Protest.


change, stating the object of the meet
ing.
Its Second Protest.
Mr. Williams began his remarks by
recalling the protest the Cotton Ex-
change made against the appointment
of colored man as collector four
years ago, and stated that the meet
ing yesterday was to again protest.
but with redoubled force. He said
there is no justice in the appointment
because of the Indifference to the wish
es OF the white people of Savannah.
The appointment should be a person
acceptable to the white people, he
said, who are solely concerned in the
administration of the affairs of this
office.
From the standpoint of a business
man Mr.. Williams said he felt sure the
commercial interests of the city would
be adversely affected by the appoint
ment of colored man. mot only will
Savannah be affected he said, but
the whole country will feel the effects
of it. We are willing to accord to the
negro every reasonable privilege. and
extend to him every possibility for
his future betterment We realize that
he is in sense our ward. But we are
unwilling to see him elevated to a DO
sition that humiliates the white people
of this community, and which ne is
incompetent to fill. If it is political
preferment then 1 ask, Is it right?
Should our business interests be affect
ed ~ some one not acting in the in
terest of the whole country? The peo-
pie of the North want the white men
Sp1a2fed fa
offices, and as they get them the people
of the South have a perfect right to
expect the same treatment"
Resolutions Adopted.
Mr.. William T. Williams read the fol-
lowing resolutions, which were unani-
mously adopted:
Whereas, it is rumored that the
President contemplates the appoint
ment of a colored man to the office of
collector for the port of Savannah;
therefore, be it
Resolved, by the members of the
Savannah Cotton Exchange, in meet
ing assembled, that we respectfully and
earnestly protest against such an APP
pointment, for the following reasons:
THE position of collector of the pert
of Savannah is, in dignity and emolu-
ment, the most important federal Of
flee in Georgia.
Savannah is the most important
port on the South Atlantic. 1t stands
in the front rank of the cities of the
world in the business of exporting cot
ton, naval stores, lumber and other
great commodities. 1t is the center
of railroad systems and the terminus
of steamship lines, with shipping in
terests increasing every year.
A Man to Meet the People.
1t is manifest that the commercial
and mercantile interests of such a port
require that the collector should be a
person qualified to come into constant
contact and intimate intercourse with
ourselves and the other business men
of the city who make its prosperity
This is quite impossible when the
of1ce in held by colored man, as has
been demonstrated by the experience
of the past four years, if such demon
stration We're necessary.
1t is not sufficient that the routine
business of the Custom House be
transacted in an uneXceptionable man
ner, for we may assume that such
business could have been done equally
well had the collector personally re-
manned absent from the city during
the entire period. AS far as concerns
the higher functions of the office. those
which make it a position of dignity
anu iAlipOl tdilCGs Nile ONCE, Tor all
practical purposes, might as we'll be
vacant as to be filled by a person of
color.
Resolved, That we are seeking
neither to war against nor to support,
the interests or claims of any individ-
ual. faction or party whatever; but we
respectfully request that the President
will not disregard what we firmly and
positively declare to be the oest in
terests of this city and port. and that
he will appoint as collector of the Tort
a white man. possessing the necessary
business qualifications and staining.
Resolved. That Il copy IF these res
buttons be transmitted Immediately to
the President.
TeleSraphed the President.
Mr.. Williams moved after the
adoption of the resolutions, that copv
be sent to each of the senators and
tiVeS of Georgia Tbaea ,,.ar,