The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-16
President Is Determined to Make
the Negro Collector Of the
Port of Charleston, $. c.
CONFIRMATION IS IMPOSSIBLE.
Roosevelt Will Resort to Proceed
ure Adopted in Case of Post
master Whom Senate Re
fused to Confirm.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL.

REPCBLlC SPECIAL.
Washington March l5.-President Poose-
! welt has closed the Door Of Hope to the
| white citizens of Charleston and will APP
| point Doctor william D. Crun, u negro
| physician. Collector Of the Port of C:nar.es-
ton as soon as the special session Of tie
| Senate adjourns.
Notwithstanding one adverse report on
the nomination of Doctor Crum by the Sen-
ate Committee on Commerce. several weeks
ago, and an opportunity for second aG-
verse report last Thursday. OF which tic
opposition refused TO take advantage the'
appointment of Crum is assured
There is not the slightest possibility of Il
vote being reached on his nomination during
the present special session The disposition
" the canal anu the Cuban treaties and
oil the time the Senate expects to remain
in session.
Several feeble efforts have been made TO
carry out the Presidents desire TO fo.ce a
roll call IN the nomination of Dnct 1r
Grum AS matter of fact the Republican
fight the President Is trying TO forcs on
behalf OF Doctor Crum.
On the other hand. the Democrats are
determined that SO long as the Republicans
fear to vote their personal convictions ~
this case. which would result in the reiec-
ton OF Doctor Crun. they will prevent any
partisan vote on this subject.
PRESIDENT CRITICISED.
The opposition to confirmation IS solidly
united and Democratic senator's are PEE
pared to discuss the matter Indefinitely.
had once been rejected for APPOINTMENT tu as
Postmaster at Charleston by a Republican
Senate during the Harrison administration,
Roosevelt to inflict the same man upon the
white y c citizens Of Charleston as Collector of
to the President that the selection of Doc
tor Srup Is not popular with the members
OF the senate. as many Of the leading Re
domination. since 1t was adversely reported
from the committee. OF which Acting Vice
PTssident Frye Is chairman.
The President. however, is determined
mat p DOCTOR Crum' shall be Collector of the
reeor 9er o q ths Senate place themselves on
II, IN taking this stand the President is en-
TREY consistent with his course in dealing
postmaster Of Charleston. Mr. Harris Is a
white man, who until recently, was sta
TONED in Charleston as Pension Examiner
more than year, but In the meantime he
claimed Washington as his residence and
re.eo IN rev York Fur some unexplaincd
postmastership were sidetracked and Mr.
Harris was appointed.
CASE OF HARRIS.
Up to the date Of his appointment as Post
according to Senator Tillman. show that
MI Harris had his residence in Washington
ana was drawing per diem allowance for
MS living expenses while on pension duty in
When Mr.. Harris's nomination came to
me senate. during the latter part of the
nrst session Of the Fifty-seventh Congress.
Senator Tiflman made a vigorous opposi-
ton to the confirmation of Harris on the
ground that he was not citizen Of the
state OF South Carolina.
The session ended leaving Postmaster
made the. recess appointee Of the President
and was commissioned to take charge OF b
the Charleston Post Ofioe. This he prompt
y Old and he Is now drawing the salary.
400. and administering the Office on the
strength OF the recess appointment
When the second session Of the Fifty-sev-
Mr.. Harris WIS second time sent to the
Senate and again the session expired with
out any action being taken upon bis nominal
ton, beyond favorable report from the
Committee OF Post Offices and Postroads.
. The day the present special session Of the
Senate assembled the nomination Of Mr..
Harris for third time was presented to
the Senate and for q third time reported
favorably from committee.
The same objection and the same opposi-
lion to the confirmation Of Mr. Harris was
i ~ fSe successfully sy Senator Tllman but
lolding his job In the Charleston Post Of
Ice and drawing his salary with regularity.
Inc same condition Of affairs probably
'ial session Of the Senate terminates. Doc
or Crum VIII receive recess appointment
ie Will be promptly commissioned to. take
,harge OF the Custom-house at Charleston.
Thus. without the advice and consent OF
ne Senate, and in spite of the earnest and
rigorous protests OF the white citizens OF
'harieston, Doctor Crum will become C5l-
e eS OF the Port and hold his commits
non until his successor Is appointed This
'ropabiy will not be until there Is a change
II administration at Washington.