The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-03
RoosEvELT.s NEGRO POLICY.
tho Cswse He Hes Followed IN TIE Past
He WIN PWyue IN the Future


WASHINGTON, March 2.-Much Discus
sion was created In Washington, and espe-
oially among the Southern members Of
Congress, by the latest statement Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt on the negro question. In
which he reiterated the assertion: Il
certainly cannot treat nero color as bar
to holding ofiice any more than could %
treat creed and birthplace
The Pres dents statement was in the
form Of letter to Clark Howell, editor Of
Quest for information regarding Federal
appointments In the South.
The following full copy Of President
Roosevelt's letter was given out at the
White House to-day:
WASHINGTON. Feb "a 1905 ,
Ny DEAR MR HOWELL: I have Q high
opinion OF the gentleman you men ton ana
II the opportunity occurs / shall be gao
to do anything can for him. :,
Now as to what you say concerning feder Al
appointments In the South. Frankly. II
seems 10 me that my appointments SPEAK
for themselves and that my policy Ia self
explanatory 30 far from feeling that they
need the slightest apology or justincauon.
my position is that on the strength OF VIVA
I have done I have the right to claim tine
support Of all good citizens who wish not only
a high standard Of Federal service. but fair
ana equitable dealing TO the South as we'll as
to the North and policy OF consistent Justice
and goodwill toward all men. In maxim
appointments have sought to consider the
feelings Of the people Of each locality 50 far
as I could oopsistently do 80 without sscri-
s ses p S.ys been The Isss. p 81
and ability, and when I have been dissatis-
ded With what has been offered within m. ny
gone e tie opposite psrty.snd yog are; .S o.
e sMs ,sss q aays
permanent Ssnap'S Bar q1 % holding more
than could 90 treat creed and s,rs rte Is:
sS Stys er or Sss r soy and
b1hayed American citizen Jrst az htts
Viii treat 4 a. oonferrins . right e hold ,ss
theory. Who refuses TO face facte: but % you
20. 6ns that IN q. the o9 a. motto !.
I ask You 70 jud &c not by what l say: put
81 P Gsorss yau are eO eomp.nt 70
0T S,,.p r. as Mex SskS
such as sp hat in the pnstmastc shlp at Athens
f think you viii agree Changes for tn. bitter
and not for the worse. II happens that N
each q these ofsccs hsys appSintfa Sa,ts
pcstmaster 70 succeed q coiored postmaster;
ss ssSs 4 ssS 3 i1s.s s1., s'P.S
Of Collector Of the Port Of Charleston. Just as
in Georgia I have rcappointsd the coio,s s
pnrt C cf ssSa nSs 'er s"tS are 81
the the appointment Of one should cause any
osc1 &C. rscy t a o. vac
* am writing to a man OF keen and trained
n %s Sshss ;ss'l.."sse'i :.sS
99S%ns,;ou 0T: s ssSnaf a. - to connect
them with the nebuiar hypothesis or the
'nf0f have conss,i.ed freely with your own
s'nators and Consressmen as 70 the chsractsr
and canscity Of ary .ppointes n Meor MS
hG n TN saSe Ssen Major
HANSEN OF Macon. Mr. Walter johnson Of
Atisnts-both ,of n IN fc,Wer Gor rSrS.
me that u no safe would II be possible to
na sssS 70 PHI sd positions h.y a.Se
S vts sfssSssncs to
Am not risht p saying thst q. ;, Federal aS
e hieh ords; Of ect.sTsy s snS in,sssrty Il
q wssm this IS. NOT %so s%s Df:y ss my
zen which viii tend 70 show that Given
public ofYicer i unworthy: and. most en-.
S SRoss lack of worth is proven. incidentally
the incumbents Of Federal ohic.s in GEORGIA
S SnasT M Bne they are 81 @
by me In every. way. as long as they continue
to render good and faithful service to the
!: Of TSSm. s s..sS p and s 81
TO M, ussr.s ' s~ierd o. Tennssses 70
Mr John MsIlhsnny q Iou Hd. to sTaSs
Of Miss'ssippi. ali OF them Democrats and
ali OF them men OF the hishest STANDING tn
thsir respectiye communities, you will hnd
t no; a. w ,Ss ssgc the % fot
/ have done throw rhout the South. have
good reason TO believe that nv sppointees
10 the different states menticned-and 90
in the South az iarse-rcpresent not merely
an Improvement upon those whose places
thew took, but upon the whole q hieher stand
s s.e o. IN 'i5 s sns sae.
ton ] may add that the proportion Of
oolored men among thsse nev appointees
IL only about one In a bundred
pris.d and II .o Sn nsired. a. What sesSns
to me the tncomprehepsible ontcry In the
South about my actions-ao outcrv appsr-
a aneonneeted With the QUESTION nonisIiy
thus taken br 40 many o. the Southern peonls;;
81, an 70, in ,, ,ss least st.. .ngSy; ard. ard stu ~
maxine me swerye one hairs breadth 70
one side or the other from the oourse have
marked out.,he oo.rs. have Consistently