The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-02-06
ROOSEVELT AND THE NEGRO.

President Roosevelt apparently takes kindly and naturally
to controversy duck does pond Aside from his deter
mined stand the Cuban treaty proposition he is engaged
III smaller but Tar more violent controversy with very material
OF the American constituency He attempting force the
office holder upon the Southern people Other presidents
have been content to let well enough alone but not SO Mr.
Roosevelt His appointment of Dr. Crum the mpOr
post of collector of the port Charleston South Carolina
has raised of protest and nvectve that has been unknown
presidential reconstruction days. In making this
appointment of opposition Mr. Roose
welt has gone directly the face of the meonored method OF
making such appointments, and moreover he has shown dis
regard for the sentiments of the Southern people that has aroused
the entire South to state OF considerable resentment against hn
Whenever appointments to administration OF post Offices the
and kindred positions be made has been the
custom IN tact the unWrten political law at the Ffeslaeht
should be guided his selection by the wishes OF the people OF the
section be served So long this has been done the people OF
the South have rested easy from the danger OF any negroes re-
cevng office President Roosevelt has dsregarded this CUSTOM
however appointed Dr. Crum the ground that he the
best qualified for the position In manly letter this sub
Jest reply protests against the impending appoint
me Roosevelt declared that he did not propose to deny to the
coored right hold office the worthy of the
position said if the negro exercise
the right citizenship he should not be denied the honors the
the offices Roosevelt subsequently appointed the negro
it is said in the defence Of the President the negro APP
ponee the best qualified for the position among the app
can will receive much Credence from the
average person he proposition that member OF one OF
backward the world the most qualified for
position among number OF applicants practically all OF Wl0
white men, will sound reasonable to the white man Why
did Mr. Roosevelt make the apponee? Roosevelt has evil
IDENTITY had his mind made this subject OF race discrna
ton among the Southern people, and IN the controversy oyei e
Crum affair opportunity OF putting his views into eXecu
Roosevelt the apparently to count the cost OF
) doing what he believes right.
Tie universal sentiment in the Southern States against the
negro in any capacity that places him equal footing with
his white brethren deeply rooted strange sentiment
that will enjoy eating cooked by coored persons that will
allow nursed by COOred nurses but complains at
handled by COOed Such hOWeVerH
exactly what occurred in Mississippi recently coored woman
was appointed post mistress small town. The citizens com
made conditions dsagreeaDe thar tc
woman resigned President discontinued the post ONCE
The whole cause protest the OF the Southern people
simply that they will not consider the negro in any 2 but inc
LIGHT of an inferior individual Any attempt place hun on ali
Apparently equal footing the white meets win bitter
resentment opposed all OF the traditions and customs OF
; the Southern people. 49,. .,
What will be the effect OF the Presidents stand on this ISSUE
has unquesOnaby turned the sentiment OF the majority Vi Tue
southern States against him. Where they before disposed
most kindly toward this kindly feeling has been turned
There little doubt that many OF "
Southern States will send tROOsevet delegates to the Ma
uona Republican This exactly what the posses ue
sire They secretly fear Roosevelt and that they will take adVan
g Of this political move on part Roosevelt certain
They will carefully The result will probably be that m
stead of there being overwhelming convention instructed Tor
Roosevelt will be many maCOntens anxious 10 aD le
Rough Riding Caesar. -,
The opposition stand that the President has taken on the
eoro office holding question does appear be restricted to
the Southern Northern papers taking up the nater
and already Judge debOund Republican rival OF Puck mas
come out against the President Judge suggests that the Presi
dent should try on negro appointing policy in the Northern
States and then how the Northern people would like It,
Morally the President may be right but there seems little doubt
the minds party leaders that he has committed quite
grave political mistake The negro mole hill may yet be made
into a mountain of opposition to his denominations