The Savannah morning news., 1903-01-30
DR.. CRUM MAY FAIL
NOT CERTAIN THAT HE CAN he
CONFIRMED BY SENATE.
NAME MAY BE WITHDRAWN.
THREE REPUBLICANS OF COMMIT
TEE IN OPPOSITION.

If Vote Had Been Taken Yester-
day, as Was Expected, 1t Would
Have Been Adverse - The Matter
Carried Over Until Next Thursday.
Republicans Who Would Like to
See the President ReeOnside4r His
Action and Take Down DIR. Crum's
Name.
Washington, Jan. eff the Senate
Committee on Commerce had voted up
on the nomination of DIR. w. D. Crum
to be collector of the port of Charles
ton to-day, an adverse report would
have been the result.
There were twelve members of a COM
mittee of sixteen present. 1t was I'M
derstood that a vote on the nominal
ton was to be taken to-day. The case
was freely discussed by individual
members and it was shown that seven
of the members were opposed to favor
able action and only five sustained the
appointment.
Three Republicans, Elkins of West
Virginia, Jones of Nevada and Perkins
of California, sided with the Democrats
against Crum. The five Republicans
who favored Crum did so on general
political grounds, and with a view of
maintaining friendly relations with the
colored Republican organization. 1t is
known, however, that at least two of
the five Senators favorable to Crum
privately admit that the appointment
is an unfortunate one, and they would
cheerfully join in movement to have
the nomination withdrawn.
Favorable Report improbable.
1t is the opinion of some of the Re
publican members of the committee
that favorable report on the nominal
ton is at this time improbable. Fur
Their consideration of the case was
postponed until next Thursday. In the
meantime the President will be advised
of the situation in the committee, and
the hope is freely expressed that the
President may see his way clear to
withdraw the nomination. Such ac-
ton on the part of the President is not
altogether improbable, in view of the
fact that he admitted on several oc-
casions prior to the sending of Crum's
nomination to the Senate. that he was
not enthusiastic over the prospect of
being forced to appoint Crum.
Washington Did 1t.
On two occasions he distinctly stated
that he did not see his way clear to
nominate him. Later he was deluged
with petitions and appeals from col
ored Republican organizations and So
cieties practically demanding appoint
ment of Crum as a recognition of the
colored race. He hesitated long while
and finally concluded to consult Booker
Washington as to the moral charac-
ter of Crum. In doing so the Presi-
dent said he was anxious that no mis-
take should be made in this case, and
If Booker Washington gave Crum a
certificate of good character, the ap-
pointment would be made, which he
added would be entirely consistent with
his previously announced policy to re-
ward merit and high moral character
in making federal appointments in the
South without regard to the complex
ion of the person to be selected.
Booker Washington, on the strength
of a long personal association with
Crum, testified to the honorable char
acter of Crum, and a few days after
ward the appointment of Crum was of
ficially announced at the White House.
Resented the Protest.
The vigorous protest against Crum
made by the citizens of Charleston was
resented by colored politicians in all
parts of the country, so that the Crum
case has become a national political
issue. Republican senators have no
desire or intention of discrediting the
President, but many of the most con-
sentative members of the Republican
party freely assert the unwiSdom of
forcing Crum upon the community of
Charleston simply because he is COLI
ored politician who has figured con-
spicuously in several Republican ma
tional conventions.
It was freely asserted at the Senate
to-day that a thorough understanding
of the peculiar social and commercial
conditions in Charleston render it eX-
ceedingly doubtful whether the nomf-
nation will be confirmed even if the
President should refuse to withdraw
the nomination. There are those who
believe that further elaboration on the
part of the President may convince him
that the confirmation is not absolutely
essential to the success of his admin
istration. 1t may be temporarily en-
barrassing for the President to retrace
his steps in this matter, but those who
know him best believe him to be brave
enough and honest enough to correct
an error if he is convinced that an err
ror has been made in the selection of
DR.. Crum.
Fleming Admitted.
Representative Fleming of Georgia
was TO-DAY admitted to practice in the
Supreme Court of the United States.
An Offer from Carnegie.
Through the influence of Judge
Adamson, Andrew Carnegie has offered
to donate $500 to the college at Hamil-
ton, Ca. whose buildings were recent
" destroyed BY fire, on condition that
an equal sum is raised by the friends