The Savannah morning news., 1903-03-25
By r. NJ. Larner.

Black and Tan Is at Charleston
and n Lily white at Wilson.
By r. NJ. Larner.
Washington, March 24-As soon as
Crum's bond is received at the Treas
ury Department and approved, he will
be commissioned and enter upon his
duties as collector of the port of
Charleston. The day after the extra
session of the Senate adjourned, the
appointment clerk of the Treasury De-
partment officially notified Crum that
the President had selected him to pre-
side over the Charleston Custom
House. He was informed that his
bond will be $4,000 and he was re-
quested to file it at his earliest con-
Venience.
Treasury officials decline to allow
any one, senators or representatives,
to examine the papers for or against
DR.. Crum, filed with the secretary of
the President.
The President has repeatedly stated,
and it has been so recorded in these
dispatches, that the strongest in
dorsement of Crum he received dur
ing his visit to Charleston last April.
While in Charleston, the President
says he discussed the federal patron
age with several of the prominent
citizens who entertained him while he
was a visitor to the exposition.
He says he questioned several gentle
men in Charleston about DIR. Crum, and
with one accord he was commended
as one of the most worthy representa-
tives of the colored race in the state.
At that time no vacancy existed in
the custom house, and it is likely that
the commentators passed upon Crum
at that time would have been quail
fled had the idea occurred to certain
Charlestonians that the President
would use them in determining the
collectorship.
Crum Pressure Was Strong.
The political pressure behind the
President in behalf of Crum was ex
ceptionally strong from colored Repub-
lican associations and association lead
ers i'll those states where the negro
vote cuts an important figure. 1t Is
understood the President frankly de-
| clared to an opponent of Crum's APP
pointment that it would have no polit1-
cal significance in the South, as he
realizes that he cannot secure a single
vote from that section. His appoint
ment of Crum, therefore, is to en-
courage and open the door of hope"
to the colored voters in the doubtful
states, where the black mans ballots
are counted. This is the line of argu-
ment inspired at the White House.
With view to displaying his politi-
cal versatility, the President to-day re-
versed conditions in North Carolina
and appointed a white man in the place
of "black and tam The case thus
settled was the long pending contro-
versy over the Wilson postmastershlp,
known far and wide as the Wick case,
and DIR. B. T. Person, ex-senator
Pritchard's candidate, has been named.
This case was made the test of
strength between the lilly white" fac
ton, headed by the then senator and
the "black and tan" element, which
was indefinite as to leadership, but was
regarded as having secured strong
consideration at the White House.
through the Endorsement of certain
party leaders, some white and some
black. Wick, negro, the incumbent,
came to Washington with letters of
commentator and testimonials as TO
his character and fitness from many
of the leading citizens of Wilson.
Persons Claims Held Good.
Mr.. Pritchard suggested as his can
didate A. B. Boykin, who was imme-
diately assailed as bartender" and
not fitted for the office. DIR. Persons
name was substituted by the then
senator. The charge was made that
the candidate was not a resident of
the town of Wilson. This Mr.. Prtch-
ard succeeded in disproving.
The Postoffice Department carefully
investigated the claims of Wick, the
negro applicant for postmaster at Will
son, and came to the conclusion that
he had not been entirely loyal to, his
party.
Senator Pritchard excused his action
in nominating a white man for the Of
flee, in a letter. He enumerates the ne
groes for whom he has secured ap-
pointments.
Senator Pritchard appends a letter
from Prof. James b. Dudley. negro,
anent the Gilmer affair. In this letter
Dudley says that Senator Pritchard
has been criticised by many negroes,
but that personally he is confident that
the Senator is a friend of the race
and always will be.