The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1903-03-07
PRESIDENT REPLIES
TO HIS CRITICS.
Explains His Policy as to Appointments in the
South-Color Should Not BE Bar.
ANY More Than is Greed
Birthplace.

Atlanta Ga. March 2.-The follow
ing letter from President Roosevelt
10 the editor OF the Constitution, Ia
a reply to a request for an express
sion concerning the recent letter
from Mr.. Harry Stillwell Edwards,
OF Macon, in which Mr.. Edwards
made a statement Of the presidents
position i'm the matter Of federal APP
pointments in the south, holding that
the president had been misunder-
stood. President Roosevelt writes:
needs No apology.
"White House, Washington, Feb.
pa. 1oO3.-Hon. Clark Howell, Editor
OF the Constitution, Atlanta; Dear
Mr.. Howel: AS TO federal appoint
ments in the south, frankly, ~ seems
to me that my appointments speak
for themselves, and that my poiicy
IS self-explanatory So far from
feeling that they need the slightest
apology or Justification, my position
Is that, on the strength of what !
have done, | have the right TO claim
the support OF all good citizens VINO
wish not only high standard Of ied-
eral service but fair and equitable
dealing TO the south as well as to
the north and a policy OF consistent
Justice and good will toward all men
"In making appointments ! have
sought 10 consider the feeling of the
people OF each locality, 50 far as l
could consistently do so without sac
riicing principle. The prime tests
have applied have been those OF
character, fitness and ability, ana
when | have been dissatisfied with
what has been offered within party
lines. | have without hesitation gone
to the opposite party-and you are
OF course. aware that | have repeat
edly done this in your own state oil
Georgia,
Color Can lie No Dnr.
II certainly cannot treat mere col
or as permanent bar TO holding of.
flee, any more than | could so treat
creed or birthplace always provided
that in other respects the applicant
or incumbent is worthy and well
behaved American citizen. Just as
little will treat IL a. comforting
right to hold office. ! have scant
sympathy with the man of mere the
orv who refuses 10 face facts, bu'
do YOU not think that in the long run
II is safer for everybody il we ac
on the motto 'all men up, rathel
than on that Of some men down"
Asks TO lie Judged by His Acts.
~ ask you TO judge not by wha
say. but what during the last i
months | have actually done. II
your own state Of Georgia you ar
competent 10 judge from your owl
experience. In the great bulk of th
cases have reappointed Presiden
McKinley's appointees. The change
have made were, as | think you Wi
agree, changes Tor the better, an
not for the worse. 1t happens | hay
appointed white man TO succeed
colored man as postmaster at Athen
and surveyor at Atlanta. in SoutI
Carolina / have similarly appointe
white postmaster to succeed co
ored postmaster. Again in scout
Carolina | have nominated a colore
man 10 fiji vacancy in the positio
OF collector of the port Of Charles
ton, Just as in Georgia / have real
pointed the colored man who is no
serving as collector Of the port {
Savannah. Both are fit men.
Criticism IL Absurd.
"Why the appointment Of one shoul
cnuse any more excitement than th
appointment OF the other am who'll
az loss to imagine. Ineed hardly sa
that 10 connect either Of these appoin
ments, or any or all my other appoin
ments, or my actions in unfolding q
MIIIIoNc LOST IN a RLAZE