The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-03-04
TAYLOR WAS
NOT THERE
former President Cleveland De-
/ mics Having Entertained the
Negro at White House.
SUBJECT OF SOCIAL EQUALITY
MIR. Williams, the Democratic.
Leader, Scores Mr. Roosevelt
for His Example.
fBY Associated 1press.l

. 3 F.. n f. I. y y . i i = af y
{l i5 (By Associated press)
4NASIllNGTON,D D. Ct. March BIN the
House to-day letter from Grover Clcvc-,
land, to Representative Webb, OF North
Carolina. was read. denying that g. II. ].
Taylor, a negro had dined with him at
tho White House while he was Presi-
dent, as charged BY Representative Scott,
said lie had written the former Prcsi-i
dent. sending him an extract from tho
record, and asking IL the statements
made BY Mr.. Scott were true. nThls
morning. he said, II received the follow
Ing reply which he read amid applause
on tho Democratic side: l
princeton, March 2, 1904.
Hon. T.. y. Webb. X
House Of Representatives.
a3s8"Dear Sr,--It Is q matter Of small ST
z concern to mo that a Mr.. Scott has
seen fit to use my name In a display \
Of his evil propensities on the floor
& Of the House Of Represen tatlyes. 8
Tn answer to your Inquiry, how
ever. / have to say Of his statement
e that the colored man, G. II. j. Taylor,
took lunch with mo at the White
House, that 1t Is a deliberate fabrlca- s.
ton out OF the whole cloth.
''As far as Mr.. Taylor Is concerned
81 understand, prior to his appointment a
\ as registrar Of deeds at Washlngt ton, q
NJ that he had served MS an assistant
#. the office Of the city attorney ut
& Kansas City. Ills nomination as reg
lister was confirmed by tho Senate,
II and he served In that place with ILL.,
" telligence and efficiency He has rs since 3
e died. Some people res train themselves
from abusing the dead.
..Nly inquiries concerning Mr. Tag
lor before his appointment my OBJ Z
servatton of him during his lncuni-
bency, and the little have known
OF him since, satisfy mo that his char
actcr5&is very urjustly attacked IN
& the diatribe Of Mr.. Scott.
Tone charge Is made against Mr..
TAYLOR by Mr.. Scott which he doubly
cllnches with truth when lie declares a
HI 'He was a black negro.'31 am led 4
however. to doubt his familiarity with
his subject when he adds: as black as a
q you ever saw. IA
s. Y ours very truly, / 7,
{"(signed 1,GRO VERaCLEvELAND.',
Not Fool Friend.
Mr.. Webb said he wanted this denial
to travel that tho statement OF Mr.. Scott
might be overtaken, mir. Cleveland was
a friend of the negro. but not fool
friend" said Mr.. Webb. Tho never, by
word or act encouraged, the dream Of
social equality in the breast OF the black
man. 3,i II u
Democrats. 53l.
n Again" he continued "he was the
friend Of the colored man, but he was
also the friend Of Il the Southern white
man and sympathized with us in our race
problems and race burdens, and that.
sir, is more than MIR. Roosevelt seemed
ever to have DONE
Mr. Scott said he accepted the state
ment Of Mr.. Cleveland as true and of
fered his apology to the former Presi-
dent. In justice to himself, said Mr.,
Scott, no desired to say that he never
before heard the report denied.
Il Mr.. Swanson Virgina) asked Mr..
Scott where ho had hoard the report,
10 which Mr. Scott replied that he had
seen the statement In newspapers. Mr..
Swanson asked further for a copy of q
newspaper containing the statement. Mr.,
Scott explained that these statements
were made several years ago, and the
papersmight not be easily procured. He
said that he had made full apology to
Mr.. Cleveland. Mr.. Scott added that he
had brought to Mr.. Cleveland for the
first tima In four years, applause from
tho Democratic side This was loudly
arplauded upon the majority side Of tho
chamber. 55
Roosevelt and Booker.
Mr.. Williams. the minority leader,
charged that Mr.. Roosevelt had dincd
Booker washington to carry light of ex-
ample to, the South, which does not be-
ileye in social equality. When u question
Is raised. he said against tho appoint-
lnent OF n negro to positions In the
South, the statement is made that there
can be no discrimination on account Of
colov but, continued Mr.. Williams, tho
administration would not appoint a
gchinuman as postmaster on tho Pa
clfic coast II lie possessed tho ability
Of Ll-Hung- Chang.
Mr.. Williams said the whole Incident
was a telling blow at tho abstract theory
OF general equality and that 1t 'is a
discovery OF tho underlying hypocrisy
of the contention that all men are So
scally equal regardless of color, race,
traits and tendencies
Mr. Scott desired to know who had
& been asserting social equality.
Il haVa understood" replied Mr., VIII
giarass@ that the political theory or your
housasrold Of political faith for tho last
twcn'' years has been that men, re-
g.rG, :iof color, race. traits, tendencies,
erlstics, capabilities, or what not,
~ - & q 4 r. L i B