The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-02-22
Reply to E. c, H0WIandS Re-
cent Interview
AS TO RACE PREJUDICE
Republican Position In This State Pre-
sented BY Mr.. Williams-Note-
worthy Fact About Negroes
Is Pointed Out.

W. l. Wellman, chairman of the re-
publican state executive committee, has
made a reply TO the statement in the
shape of an interview recently given out
by e. C. Rowland of New York In refer
ence to a late interview of Chairman
Wellman in outlining the position of the
republican organization in Alabama AT
the time Mr.. Howland's interview was
published it was said that he had seen
the President and that what he said vir-
tually came from Roosevelt. In that In
terview Chairman Wellman and other
Alabama republicans were censured for
not being in line with the adminstra-
ton.
Chairman Wellman defends the position
taken by the Alabama republican organl-
cation, and in reply to Mr.. Rowland says
Surprise and Regret.
AZ have read with some surprise and
much regret a recent statement purport-
ing to have been made by 4dr. e. C. How
land of New York, and which it is stated
has received the sanction of the Presi-
dent.
mr.. Rowland says. and ] quote from
his statement: 1t is apparent that 1t is
the purpose of Chairman Wellman to
place himself in open antagonism to the
policy of the administration and to APP
peal to race prejudice in his state
al am sensible of no act of mine which
could justify such statement. The re-
a position by the law OF the state, as
expressed In its new constitution, where
they could not legally admit anybody bit
registered voters in their primaries or
conventions.
The Negro Race.
"The appeal to race prejudice has al
ready been successfully carried out by
the democratic party and the negro race
practically dlsfranchised without our as
sistance, and l think l am correct in
stating with our votes against it. There
was nothing for us to do but to gather
together the republicans that were not
disfranchised and attempt to build a
practically new party under the law.
This is what we did, and nothing more
1t Is what Mr.. Rowland, er any other
intelligent republican who desired to par
ticipate in the affairs of the state ant
nation would have done, had they beer
in our place.
II was made chairman of the executive
committee of Alabama by the same con
vention which endorsed Mr.. Roosevelt
for the next nomination. | was not a
delegate to the convention and was not
responsible for what it did or did not
do.
ut seems to me that Mr. Rowland has
let his imagination get the better of the
facts when he says / make an appeal
to race prejudice.
There are so few registered negroes
in Alabama that 1t would be foolish to
make it an issue, whether we wanted to
or not.
Noteworthy Fact.
"And l want TO state a fact right here,
that when the question of DISTINGUISHING
the negroes In the state was presented
to the people, those counties containing
the largest number of colored voters cast
the largest majorties In favor Of It, The
negro has thus been placed in the posi-.
ton of having voted to dsfranchise him.
self In addition to this in the state
election in November. 1902 almost every
colored voter of prominence in the state
cast his vote openly in favor of tn,
democratic nominees, thus creating the
impression which 1 think fair one, that
he wished to run with the fox and hunt
with the hounds AS VIC cite in Illus
tration Hale county, which did not cast
one single vote for our nominees.
II have not refused to call a meeting
of the committee to resclnd its action In
excluding negro voters from the republi.
can organization, because they are not
excluded, and the resolution which tie
three referees desire to have passed is
already the policy of most OF the repub-
licans of this state, and the desire tc
have "a meeting for this purpose is en-
tirely unnecessary.
ut is well understond, II one will simply
read between the lines, that this simple
resolution is an entering wedge for the
purpose of getting control Of the commit
tee for partisan purposes. 1t is very
strange that II appointments are to be
made solely on the ground of fitness that
one set of referees were displaced by the
appointment of another, and none of the
new ones members of the executive COM
mttee of the party. The high stand taken
by the administration, however, accord
ing to the statement of this alleged au-
thorized interview, is certainly crafty
ing to all classes of republicans.
The Crisis.
"The truth is that the republican party
is at the crisis of it's existence In the
south. If we as a party ignore existing
conditions and attempt to practically
carry out what only exists in theory, ther
nothing but utter destruction awaits us.
"The negro has been tried thorough,
In politics. and Is a lamentable failure
Their future will not be worked out II
the north, but right here In the soutf
where they live. and 1t will come, no
through their political rights, but through
their daily labor. They are the bone anc
sinew Of the agricultural and mining in,
terests of the south, and the wisest OF
their own race know this and discourage
their seeking advancement through po-
litica1 channels.
THE most essential thing that can be
done for them by the republican party is
to see that the judiciary is filled by hon.
est and competent officials. who are be-
levers In the great doctrine Of human