The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-03-09
4 DELIBERATE FABRICATION. IS
What Cleveland Says Of the SterJ
Of His Dining a Negro.
Representative Scott, of Kansas.
Who Told the Story, is Exposed
in Congress.

Washington, March 3-In the House
today letter from Grover Cleveland
to Representative Webb, of North
Carolina, was read, denying that G.
Fl. J. Taylor, a negro, had dined with
him at the White House while he was
President, as charged by Representa-
tive Scott, of Kansas, few days ago.
Mr.. Webb said he had written the
former President. sending him an ex.
tract from the Record, and asking if
the statements made by Mr.:Scott were
true
"This morning. he said, 81 receiv-
ed the following reply" " which he read
amid applause on the Democratic side !:
Princeton. N. }. March 9. 1904
+. Y. Webb, House of Representatives
Dear Sir: 1t is matter OF small
concern to me that Mr.. Scott has
seen fit to use my name in display
of his evil propensities on the floor Of
the House of Representatives.
In answer to your inquiry .howev-
er, | have to say of his statement that
the colored man, G. H. J. Taylor. took
lunch with me at the White House,
that'it is deliberate fabrication out
of the whole cloth.
GAS far as Mr.. Taylor is concerned,
l understand that prior to his appoint
ment as register of deeds at Washing
ton he had served as an assistant in
the Office of the city attorney at Kan
sas City. His nomination as register
was confirmed by the Senate and be
served IN that place with intelligence
and efficiency. He has since died.
Some people restrain themselves from
abusing the dead.
MY inquiries concerning Mr. Tay-
lor before his appointments, my obser-
vation of him during his incumbency,
and the little I have known cf him
since, satisfy me that his character is
very unjustly attacked in the diatribe
of Mr.. Scott.
lone charge is made against Mr..
Taylor by Mr.. Scott, which he doubly
cilnches with truth when he declares ::
He was black negro I am led,
however, to doubt his familiarity with
his subject When he adds: AS black
as you ever saw Yours very truly,
Grover Cleveland.
Mr.. Webb said he wanted this denial
to travel, that the statement of Mr..
Scott might be overtaken.
Mr.. Cleveland was friend OF the
negro, but not fool friend,'' said Mr..
Webb. He never by word or act en-
couraged the dream of social equality
in the breast of the black man. " This
was greeted with applause by the
Democrats. Again." he continued,
= be was the friend of the colored man,
but be also was the friend Of the
Southern white man, and sympathised
with US IN our race problems and race
burdens, and that, sir. is more than
Mr.. Roosevelt seemed ever to have
done''
Mr.. Scott said be accepted the state
cnent Of Mr.. Cleveland as true and
offered his apology to the former Presi-
dent. In justice to himself, said Mr..
Scott, be desired to say that he never
before heard the report denied.
Mr.. Swanson, of Virginia, asked Mr..
Scott when be had heard the report,
to which Mr.. Scott replied that he
had seen the statement in newspapers
Mr.. Swanson asked further for
copy of a newspaper containing the
statement
Mr.. Scott explained that these state
ments were made several years ago and
the papers might not be easily procur-
ed. He said that he had made full
apology to Mr.. Cleveland Mr.. Scott
added that he had brought TO Mr..
Cleveland for the first time in four
years applause from the Democratic
side. This was loudly applauded upon
the majority side of the chamber
ROOSEVELT AND THE NEGRO.
Mr.. Williams, the minority leader. /
charged that Mr. Roosevelt had dined :
Booker Washington to carry the light
Of example to the South, which does :
not believe in social equality. When a
question is raised, he said, against
the appointment of a negro to posi-
tions in the South the statement is
made that there can be no discrimina-
tion on account of color, but, contin-
ucd Mr.. Williams, the Administra-
tiCn won la not annoint q C,hjnamau ac