The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-07-17

President Roosevelt has given another
illustration of his regard for the negro,
and as a result of this friendship L.ieuten-
ant c. Sidney Haight OF the Fourth Uni
ted States Cavalry has rendered his res
tgnation as Military Aid TO President
Francis. The resignation has been ac-
cepted by the Board OF Directors, and
Lieutenant Haight will join his regiment
in the near future.
The circumstances which led to the res
ignation of Lieutenant Haight date back
several weeks. when the Military Aid. en-
gagged in a correspondence with Colonel
Marshall. commanding the Eighth Illinois
Regiment. /. y. c.. relative to the contem-
plated e~ncampment of the regiment at
the worlds Fair.
The regiment is composed OF negroes.
and Lieutenant HaigSt, in his correspond
ence with the Colonel commanding. asked
II the regiment were a colored organlza-
ton. and also suggested that IL they pos
sessed camp equipments they should bring
such material with them. the idea being
to assign the co!ored soldiers to the camp
ing grounds used by the West Point cadets
in their encampment last June.
The letter. although tactfuliy written,
gave umbrage to the colored troops. and
they notified Haight that the proposed en-
campment was off. 1t was not long be-
fore the letter was made the subject of
complaints by them against the EXPOSE
ton Company. These complaints reached
the Presidents ears. and soon after he
directed Senator Carter. chairman of the
National Commission, to inquire into the
matter.
IN the course Of his Investigations. it is
said, Senator Carter saw General Bates,
Commander OF the Northern Division of
the army. Later Senator Carter. 1t Is said,
sent a telegram to President Roosevelt, In
which he advised that as Haight had not
reported according to regulations TO Gen.
eral Bates, he should be reproved by being
sent back to his regiment.
On receipt of Chairman Carriers tele-
gram tie President referred the matter
TO the Adtutant General for inquiry. That
officer called Lieutenant Haight TO &C
count. and the young officer went direct to
General Bates to find out what was the
matter.
BATES SUGGESTED RESIGNATION.
General Bates told him that the real
trouble was not because of any failure TO
report. as it seems Haight had reported
in due order to the Commanding General.
The real trouble. he was tod, was about
the letter to the negro regiment.
This letter, General Bates told him, was
a mistake. and he advised Haight to re-
sign his connection with the Worlds Fair
Company.
Acting on the suggestion Of his superior
officer, Lieutenant Haight Immediately
rendered his resignation, at the same time
presenting the entire record of the case
before the Board OF Directors. The res
~isnation was accepted. but announcement
Of the boards action withheld.
Lieutenant Haight's resignation was not
prompted by any suggestion from the
Worlds Fair management. but solely on
the suggestion of General Bates as the
best way out Of the ENHANCEMENT brought
about by the resentment of the negro
regiment at a letter which was never in
tended to give offense.
II is stated that the suggestion con-
tanned in the letter relative to the regi-
ment providing its own camp equipment,
If 1t possessed such, is usual in the case
Of any regiment. white or black, which
contemplates camping at the Fair. and
that In case i. did not possess such the
Exposition would gladly lave provided it. |
Furthermore, 1t is said, Lieutenant ,
Haight, before the telegram was sent by
Senator Carter to the President, had seen