The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-03-06
ROOSEVELT WRITES ANOTHER
LETTER..

President Roosevelt writes another
letter on his policy as to appointments
an the southern states. This time he
writes to Mr.. Clark Howell. editor of
The Atlanta Constitution. He tries to
explain his conduct in regard to these
appointments. While he starts out with
stating the broad position he has taken
almost his entire letter is on the defen-
sive and it is a very lame defense he
makes. He tries TO GUS his efforts
TO force Crum on the people of Charles
Ton against their almost unanimous
protest by calling attention to the num-
her OF white men. some of them demo-
Gratis. he has appointed in other states.
Because 1T was right to appoint a VIII tie
man to office in Georgia he p.etends to
think he should not be censured for
the appointment of a negro in Charles
ton.
We are exceedingly glad to know that
while the president is concerned" at the
kick the south has made at his political
and social equality proclivities he is
mot in the least angry" with us.
While being panied" at this ''incom-
prehensible outcry in the south" about
his actions he makes the absurd state
ment that the cutlery was started in
New York for reasons wholly uncon-
nected with the question nominally at
HGnp" Na 0rInnnCa hn 1a4n fhnr
politicians in his own state who are
opposed to his nomination put the white
people of the south up to kicking
against appointments and to
Eiticising him for his social equal ty
at the White house. Now Mr.. Roose-
Selt should have had more judgment
thar to make this statement. In sub
stance be charges that the southern
people are not sincere in their Opposi-
tion to the appointment of negro-s to
sfice. but have taken UP the cry at
the suggestion of New York politicians.
It will be seen that the president does
aot allude TO the case OF the Wilson
postOftice where he. after agreeing to
~reappoint the negro Wick. has gone
sack on him at the urgent solicitation
Of Senator Pritchard. although this ne
gro is as well qualified to fill the office
as Crum is that of collector in Charles
ton if o really better Here is the
better:
I'm making appointments l have
sought to consider the feelings of the
people OF each locality so far as | cou i
consistently do so. without sacrificing
principle. The prime tests l have APP
piled have been those of character. fit
ness and ability. and when have been
dissatisfied with what has been offered
within my own party line. 1 have with
cut hesitation gone 10 the opposite
aarty-and you are of course aware
that 1 have repeatedly done this in
your own state of Georgia. I certainly
cannot treat mere color a permanent
bar to holding office any more than /
could SO treat creed or b~irthplace-al-
ways provided that in other respects |
the applicant or incumbent is u worthy
and well-behaved American citizen. |
Just as little will / treat it as confer !
ring a right to hold office
Il ask you to judge not by what I
say. but by what. during the last II
months, L have actually done. In South
Carolina. 1 have appointed a white !
postmaster to succeed a colored post
master Again in South Carolina, 1
have named a coIored man to fill a va
cancy in the position of collector Of the |,
port of Charleston. just as in Georgia
I have re-apDointed the colored man
who is now serving as collector OF the
port of Savannah. Both are fit men. 7
Why the appointment Of one should
cause any more excitement than the :
appointment of the other. I am wholly I;
at 4 loss 10 Imagine. As l am writing
TO a man Of keen and trained intelli-
gence, | need hardly say that to con-
meet either of these appointments, or
any or all my other appointments. or
my actions. in upholding the law at In
dianola with UGH questions as social
equality and negro domination is as
absurd as to connect them with the
regular hypothesis. OF the theory Of
atoTms.
L have consulted freely with your
enators and congressman as to
the character and capacity of any -ap-
pofntee in Georgia concerning whom
there was question. My party advisers
in the state have been Major Hanson. |
of Macon: Mr.. Walter Johnson, of At
lanta-bOth of them ex-Confederate
sOIdieTs-and Mr.. Harry StillweIl Ed
wards, also of Macon. Am 1 not right
in saying that the Federal office-hold-
ers whom 1 ave appointed throughout
you state are. as a body, men and
women of a high order of efficiency and
integrity? Incidentally, 1 may mention !
that a large percentage of the incum-
bents of federal offices in Georgia un-
der me are. as 1 understand it, OF your
own political faith
"This is true of yoIr own state; and
by applying to Mr. Thomas Nelson