Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-08-07
Promotion of Mate Isaac Miller,
Colored, Brings Problem to
the Navy
WHITE OFFICERS INDIGNANT
They Refuse to Eat at the Same Mess
and Leave When the colored Officer
Comes to the Table-Depart,nent
May Be Compelled to Take Some
Action.

New York, Aug 1.-THE dreaded coll
or question in the navy, which leading
officers have endeavored to fight shy
of for SO many years, is responsible for
the deadlock existing on the cruis-
er Columbia, at the Brooklyn navy yard
since Wednesday, that may result in
inaugurate some definite policy.
When Chief Carpenters Mate Isaac
Miller, colored. took his place at tie ta-
BILE of the chief petty officers mess. on
board the Columbia, for the first time
on Wednesday noon--his promotion to
that grade having gone into effect only
the day before-eight other petty Off
GERS, all white men, who had taken
their places few minutes before, got
up with one accord and left the table.
Since then they have refused to eat
at the same table with Miller They
either wait until he has finished his
meal, or If he comes in While they are
at the table they get up and leave.
They are exceedingly bitter In an
nouncing the condition of affairs that
requires them to associate with ne
gro, and unless Miller is transferred TO
another ship within few days the cri-
sis will be brought on.
Miller, who is not a full blooded ne
gro, has served in the navy e great
many years, and by constant attention
to duty has won steady promotion un-
til he attained the grade of carpenters
mate, of the first class which he held
up to a few days ago. Then he was
ordered to report for examination, for
the rank of chief carpenters mate, an
advancement accorded to all men Oh
his former rank, and rating. after they
have given good service for certain
length of time. He passed saisfact-
ory examination and Aug. 4, was sworn
into his new rank by Captain Snow
commanding the receiving ship.
There was no hint of trouble untli
ne appeared at noon yesterday TO TAX"
his first meal with the other chiet
petty officers of the Columbus, whom
he now equals in rank. The men re-
belled and announced they would not
take any meals with Miller. He ap-
parently took the matter good naturea-
ly and finished his meal alona Since
then he has paid no attention 10 the
actions of his messmates. and has gone
to and from his meals at the regular
hours without interference. SO far he
has always eaten alone.
At noon yesterday, when the others
heard he had just preceded them on
his way to mess they returned to their
quarters to wait until he finished. One
OF the chief petty officers group was
asked to explain the hostility to the
man. whether 1t was directed against
him personally or because OF his coll
or.
Its because he is a niger was the
answer. "They won't take them in the
ward room, nor will they stand for
them in the steerage. l consider 1t an
outrage they should try to force them
in on U.S."
Capt. Snow intimated he would not
allow the petty officers to impose on
Miller He said the navy made no
distinction because Of color.
Altho there have been several In
stances of the appointment of colored
men to the grade of chief petty officer
in the service, none OF those on board
the Columbia ever has been in di-
rect contact with one of them. and
they insist, whether ordered to do so
or not, they will refuse in any way
to associate with the newly appointed
mate nor take 4ny orders
he may be obliged to give them in The
execution of his duty. The white men
also intimate that unless the man is
in the near future some.
thing will happen.