The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-27
The PRESIDENT
SURPRISED
Invitations to Negroes No De-
parture From Usual Procedure.
WO men HAVE REMAINED AWAY.
No Exception Made as 10 Color When ISSu-
Ing the Invitations to White
House Receptions.
WO men HAVE REMAINED AWAY.

Washington, Jan. 27.-Although great
deal OF comment ana considerable denuu-
citation of the president followed the ap-
pointment OF a negro 10 be Collector OF
Customs al Charlestown. s c., recent
similar appointment at New Orleans has
attracted absolutely no attention.
On the % OF December President Roose-
welt sent 10 the senate the name OF II. b.
Kennedy 10 be receiver OF public moneys
a New Orleans. and on the 18th the nom
ination was confirmed both the Louis
lana senators voting in favor OF confirm
alton. Kennedy is a negro.
Two weeks ago IL was discovered that
a mistake had been made in Kennedys
name. and on the 14th instant the nom
ination was sent 10 the senate again.
with the name correctly given as AleXan-
again promptly confirmed, without oppo-
sition. and with cordial cooperation OF
the Louisiana senators.
The president appointed Kennedy with
out any consideration OF politics. as in
the case OF DR. Crum for the Charleston
collectorship. Both these men were high
ly recommended by leading citizens as be-
ing advanced representatives of their
race.
President Roosevelt is surprised at the
Importance which has been attached 10
the presence of negroes at the Whlte
House reception I'm honor of congress and
the judiciary, last Thursday evening. The
statement was officially made at the
White House yesterday that invitations
have always been issued TO negro office
holders in Washington to attend the
state receptions. and that the negroes
have been treated in all respects In the
same manner as white officials or the
government. There was no new departure
this year, and the outburst OF indigna-
ton in the South, therefore, causes sur
prise.
Registrar Lyons OF the treasury, who
was one Of the negroes attending last
Thursdays reception and on account or
whose presence, with others seVeral
Southern Congressman, including Small
and Pou OF North Carolina, left the
White House In high Indignation, Is au-
thority for the statement that he and
other negro office holders In Washington
have attended one or more of the White
House receptions each season for several
years.
These officials appear to be at a loss to
understand why the incident OF last
Thursday evening should have attracted
criticism oe the president.
President Roosevelt talked with nearly
all his callers yesterday about this latest
phase q the race controversy. He made
no apologies for having invited the ne
groes 10 the reception, but he did tell
several persons that II was strictly In
accordance with an old custom that the
negro office holders and their families
were included I'm the list of those to
whom the formal, engraved invitations
were TO be sent.
The fact was established yesterday be-
yotd a doubt that negroes have attended
the White House receptions every sea-
son for many years. other persons than
Registrar Lyons testifying TO this fact
from personal experience and observa-
tion.
AS already told the presence OF negro
women has been unusual. and the fact
that four or five of them attended last
Thursdays reception caused much gossip
even among those who were familiar
with the fact that negro men had al
ways been among the guests on these oc-
casions.