The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-03-26
REASONS FOR THE CRUM APPOINT
MENT


Two reasons are given out AZ the
White House for the appointment Of
Dr.. Crum 10 the colleetorship OF the
port of Charleston. One is that the
President, when visiting Charleston At
the time OF the exposition in that city.
received from citizens there. reports
TO the effect that Dr. Crum was
worthy representative OF the colored
race, and the other is that the pres
sure for DR.. Crum's appointment came
from negro associations Of doubtful
Northern states. and that for political
reasons the wishes OF these associe-
tions had TO be respected
1t is very probable that there were
Charlestonians who said in reply 10
the Presidents Inquiries while he was
in that city that DIT. CTum WAS
worthy representative Of the negro
race. As far as we know there have
been no statements in the public prints
against Dr.. Crum's character as
man. The opposition TO him is due
10 the fact that he is q negro. ana TIE
people Of Charleston do not want a
negro in 50 prominent an Office In
fact. Senator Money stated the case
clearly IN the Senate, just before that
body adjourned, in discussing the In
dianola case. He said that for r4a-
sons which he gave, and very good
reasons they were. il was not desir-
able TO have negroes in Office IN the
South.
When in Charleston the President
did not ask II Dr. Crum would be ac-
ceptable as collector Of the port If
he had asked that question he would
have been told that he would not.
The effort therefore 10 make il appear
that Chariestonians Endorsed DR.. Crum
is misleading. They may have IN
dorsed him as a worthy representative
Of his race, but not for a federal Of
fee.
Now as TO the other reason. Does
it not seem TO be an outrage on the
Southern people that the President
should use the federal Offices in the
South 10 increase his chances for get
ting nominated and elected President?
II Is admitted that he does not expect
10 get a delegate TO the Republican
National Convention or an electoral
vote from the South, but he expects,
by appointing negroes to office in the
South. TO strengthen himself POLITICAL
ly in the doubtful Northern states.
If his success is dependent upon Civ
ing offices to negroes why does ne not
appoint negroes to important offices in
these doubtful states in the North?
y few negro appointments there would
do his cause as much good as the ap-
pointment of negroes to Office in the
South. In fact. it would do it more
good. 1t is true when there was the
most clamor about the Crum appoint
ment he did appoint a negro to an in
significant office in Massachusetts, an
Office which was created for the ex-
press purpose of giving it to a negro,
but so far as we know he has not given
any of the important federal Offices in
New York, Illinois, Ohio and the 9TH
er doubtful states to negroes. And
why? Simply because the white peo-
pie of those states would not tolerate
such appointments. The President
would not strengthen himself by max
ing them. He knows that very well,
and hence he uses the federal offices
of the South, where he expects moth
ing, to help along his campaign for
the presidency in the North. Such a
policy is deserving of the severest con-
demnation. 1t is an outrage on the
South.