The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-04
He Never Lunched With
the Negro Taylor.
The North Carolina Congressman
Wrote to MIR. Cleveland About the
Charge Made by Scott, and
CIeveIand's Answer is
Denial.
a Denial.
Especial to News and observer.)

Washington, D. c., March 3.-Represen-
tative Webb, of the Tenth North Caro-
lima District, made his maiden speech in
the House today. It was a short speech,
but it was to the point and created a gen
uine sensation, arousing great enthusiasm
on the Democratic side.
The subject matter of the speech was
the race question discussed in the House
last Monday morning. That debate grew
out of speech by Representative Gil
bert, of Kentucky, criticising the policy
of the Republican party and of the pres
ent administration, especially regarding
treatment of the negro question.
1t was participated in by number of
members, including Representatives Claud
Kitchin, of North Carolina. and Mr..
Cochran (Dem.) of Missouri.
Mr.. Scott (Rep), of Kansas. under
taking to reply to Mp Gilbert's structures
on President Roosevelt for the Booker
Washington dinner made this statement
which he said was fresh in his memory
and no doubt would be interesting to gen.
tlemen on the other side Mr. Scott said
Mr.. Cleveland negro from Kansas was
brought to Washington, taken to the
White House, introduced to the President
and by him invited to remain and sit at
the table at luncheon, an invitation which
he need not say was promptly accepted.
Mr.. Cochran: .'Will the gentleman
state who it was that introduced the ne
gro, and upon whose authority the gen
tleman is making this statement"
Mr. Scott: 81 made the statement on
my own authority"
Mr.. Cochran: "Were you present.
Mr. Scott: 81 was not present, but one
of my colleagues will corroborate as to
the fact
Mr. Cochran: ''Who was this negro?"
Mr. Scott: 1T was C. H. ]. Taylor, af-
terwards appointed register of deeds for
this district by President, Cleveland"
daughter on the Republican side)
Adverting to this today, Mr.. Webb
said he had written the former
President, sending him an extract
from the record, and asking if the
statements made by Mr.. Scott were true.
''This morning" he said, "I received the
following reply which he read amid ap-
plause On the Democratic side:
Princeton, March 2, 1904.
"Hon. F. Z Webb. House of Representa-
tives.
"Dear Sir: 1t is a matter of small con-
Germ to me that Mr.. Scott has seen fit
to use my name in a display of his evil
propensities on the floor of the House of
Representatives.
Gin answer to your enquiry, however,
I have to say of his statement that the
colored man, c.. II. j. Taylor, took lunch
with me at the White House, that it is
q deliberate fabrication out Of the whole
cloth.
''As far as Mr.. Taylor is concerned, l
understand. prior to his appointment as
register of deeds at Washington, that he
had served as an assistant in the office of
the city attorney at Kansas City. His
nomination as register was confirmed by
the Senate and ne served in that place
with intelligence and efficiency. He has
since died. Some people restrain them
selves from abusing the dead
MY inquiries concerning Mr. Taylor
before his appointment, my observation of
him during his incumbency and the lit
tie l have known of him since, satisfy me
that his character Is very unjustly attack
ed in the diatribe of Mr. Scott.
lone charge is made against Mr.. Tay-
lor by Mr.. Scott, which he doubly clinches
with truth when he declares:
HE was a black negro / am led.
however, to doubt his familiarity with his
subject when he adds, AS black as you
ever saw.
yours very truly,
(Signed) GROVER CLEVELAND"
Mr.. Webb said he wanted this denial
to travel that the statement of Mr.. Scott
be overtaken. Mr.. Cleveland was
friend OF the negro, but not a fool friend"
said Mr.. Webb. HE never by word on
act encouraged the dream of social equal
ity in the breast OF the black man.
This was greeted with applause by the
democrats.
again" he continued. ''he was the
fri.rd of the colored man, but he was
also the friend of the Southern white man
ard sympathized with us IN our race
problems and race burdens, and that,
Sip. is more than Mr., Roosevelt seems
ever to have done"
Mr.. Scott said he accepted the state
mont of Mr. Cleveland as true and Of
fcred his apology to the former Presi-
Gopt In Justice to himself, said Mr.. Scott,
he desired to say chat ne never before
heard the report denied
Mr.. Swanson asked Mr.. Scott where
he had heard the report, to which Mr..
Scott replied that he had seen the state
ment in newspapers. Mr.. Hanson asked