The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-13
SEEKING THE NEGRO VOTE
Sibley of Pennsylvania Asks Speaker
Cannon to Give Small and Page of
North Carolina the Committee
Appointments They Wish.
Walter Page Calls on
Roosevelt.
Especial to News and Observer. }

Washington, d. c., Nov. 12.-Already it
is evident that there is to be the usual
attempt on the part of a certain element
lin Congress to interfere in Southern
affairs at this session.
In the House today, Representative
Crumpacker, of Indiana, again introduced
his bill for cutting down the representa-
tion of the South, because of negro dis
franchisement. In the Senate, Senator
McComas, of Maryland, introduced bill
creating a commission of five to enquire
into the condition of the negro in the
South.
1t is understood that both these meas
ures are in response to demands that
are being made by the negroes, and are
for campaign consumption. Certainly
that of Mr.. Crumpacker will not be press
some of the majority leaders that the
introduction of such measures will ma
terially assist them in getting the negro
vote of Indiana. Ohio and some fthe
y
The thirty odd delegates who have been
here this week attending the negro con-
ference to consider the Race problem -
were received by the President today.
The delegation was headed by ex-Con-
gressman White. of North Carolina, and
Bishop Arnett, of Ohio.
Cogressman Webb has obtained from the
geological survey promise that gov
ernment mineral survey shall be made of
the district around C'.arlotte. which is
known to contain many mineral deposits
of more or less value. and soil survey
of CASTOR county. These surveys will not
be ordered until after Christmas.
The applications of Delgado Grafton, of
Reidsville. and : T. Corbett. of Selma.
morrow. OF course, it is impossible to
predict what the action Of the President
will be. but unless he goes against the
recommendation of the Attorney General
other pardon will be granted. Grafton,
it will be recalled embezzled three thous-
and dollars from Georgetown University,
and though his people have made partial
restitution of the money, officials at the
Department of Justice today expressed
the opinion that he would not be pardon
ed. He is sentenced to the Trenton. n.
j., penitentiary for three years.
Though no definite announcement of the
fact has been made by those with au
thority to speak, Congressman Small has
reason to believe that he will get place
on the River and Harbor Committee. Mr..
Pou will get the District of Columbia
Committee, and it is likely that Mr.. Page
will get the committee on agriculture.
There are strong influence at work for
both Small and Page. These include Re-
publicans as we'll as Democrats. Of course,
the Republicans who have asked it did
50. not on party but on personal grounds.
Today no less influential member than
Congressman Sibley. of Pennsylvania,
went to Speaker Cannon and asked that
Small and Page of North Carolina, be
given the committee places they were
seeking.
You know, joe" replied Mr.. Cannon.
I'D like to do anything l could for you
but I mustn't break with Williams. the
Democratic leader, and I've promised to
respect his wishes regarding committee
appointments
Mr.. Sibley started TO argue the question
You know. Joe,'' broke in the speaker
If you demand it what I'll do. | can't
deny you anything
Mr.. Sibley would make no demand, so
Mr.. Cannon said he'd talk the matter
over with Mr.. Williams and try to ar
range it.
Walter Page. editor of Worlds Work,
came here today and lunched at the
White House. He left tonight for his
home in New York. Before leaving he
was asked regarding his visit. He said
be had known Mr.. Roosevelt many years,
and that he came down today at the re-