The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-03-13
WILL FORCE CRUM'S NOMINATION.
Democrats Will Put Up a Vigorous
Fight Against 1.-THE Proposed In
land Waterway.

Washington, March 1O.-The admin
%istration republicans in the senate
have decided to force if possible the
| confirmation of DR.. Crum's nomination
as collector at Charleston. L taking
this course they are simply carrying
out the presidents wishes who desires
to crowd this negro dose down the
threats Of the Charleston people for
the purpose of making political capital
in his own behalf. AS a part of this
programme it was decided today to call
a meeting of the senate committee on
commerce Thursday, when the Crum
nomination will be taken up.
The democrats first learned of this
move tonight when Senator Clay, of
Georgia, a member of the committee,
was notified that there would be a
meeting Thursday. All the democrats
can do is to go on record, for with the
existing vacancies or the committee
the republicans will have a majority
IN favor of the confirmation. Unless
several senators of that persuasion alb
sent themselves from the meeting a
favorable report will be made. When
the nomination is brought before the
senate the democrats will then have
a showing. 1t is their purpose to put
up a vigorous fight against the Char
lesion negro and Senator Tillman him
self has consented to take the con-
tract of talking the nomination to
death.
While Senator Perkins, of California,
is the only republican who has bold
ly oppose Crum'S confirmation, there
are a number of others high up in the
party ranks who endorse his position
n who have a~pplauded him upon the
bold stand he has taken. One of these
said a few days ago hat he would have
voted with the California senator but
for the fact that he has 1900 negro
voters in his state. AS the result OF
his action Senator Perkins has receiv-
ed many letters and resolutions from
California commencing him. Many Of
these communications are of q threat
ening character. and they assert that
he must change front or ruin himself
politically. AS Mr.. Perkins has just
been elected to a six yea term in the
senate and expects to retire voluntar-
lily at the end of that time, he is not
giving any heed to his correspondence
on this subject. One of Senator Per-
kins close friends said today:
is a rac prejudice in Cali
fornia stronger than that in the south
against the negro, n Mr.. Perkins
has not damaged himself politically
in voting against Crum. If the presi-
dent should apply this doctrine of the
door of hope and opportunity to the
Chinese and appoint a Chinese collec-
tor of customs at San Francisco the
| people would rise up in their wrath
and destroy the custom house build
ing. The appointment of a Chinaman
to an office in our section is considered
a thing prepOsterOus."
| Congressman John II. Small left to-
day for North Carolina by way of Bal
timOre. where he went to confer with
Colonel Hanes, of the engineering de-
partment of the army, with reference
to the report on the proposed inland
waterway which will soon be sub
mitted to the war department. Mr..
Small remained over in Washington
several days in order to perfect ar
waters of eastern Carolina, which Will
ton, of the House river and harbor
committee, Colonel Hanes and possibly
other members of congress-. a light
house tender has been secured by Mr..
Small to make the journey which will
begin at Norfolk. Visits will be made
to Elizabeth City, Hatteras. New
Bern. Beaufort and Wilmington. 1t
has been Mr.. Burton's wish to make
! an inspection of North Cardinals east
ern waters and harbOrs. He it is that
shapes practically all the river and
harbOr legislation in congress-. The
visit of the distinguished party to
North Carolina will no doubt result in
much practical good.-Thomas J. Pence
in Raleigh Post.