New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-14
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
SENATOR FAIRBANKS AND THE NEGRO
4 Statement of Facts That Shows His
Friendly Attitude.

EdttOr or The Tribune.
Sir. The colored voters % Rhode Island ana the
xolutry were told some time ago in a speech de-
livered at Newport that Senator Charles W. Fair
banks was unfriendly toward the colored people
and would IL elected. stand IN the way Of Iegsla-
fion friendly TO them and prevent the confirmation
Of colored should they be nominated for posi-
items by the President This statement is as IN
reasonable as II is untrue I would not now take
notice Of this salsehood II it had not been stated
ty a colored man. who at the time could not con-
ceal the fact that he had q personal grievance
against The Senator on account OK a measure in
-shich ne Is interested. This measure proposes 20
appropriate certain unclaimed funds now IN the
United States Treasury which belong 10 the es-
fates q colOred soldiers who served in the War
Of the Rebellion. and apply them TO the erection and
maintenance Of a National Old Folks Home"
f1r aged colored people. This measure has been
agIta1e5 Tor many years ana has been brought to
the attention OF many Senators OF both parties
during al OF thar time. and several bills for the
purpose named have been introduced in the Sen
ate but action has ever been taken on nny OF
them beyond the mere fact that under the rules
OF the senate they were introduced, read q second
time and referred 10 the Committee on Claims"
Many Senators might be held responsible for non
action on them BY tbs Senate far as that is con-
nerned but II would be unreasonable 10 do so
Congress. and not a few self-constituted AGENTS
should be the sole Judge in the matter OF the ap-
preparation CT money IN the Treasury for any pur-
pose. and think that Il can DE trusted TO handle
Senator Fairbanks DID or did not Introduce a bin
on the subject when requested 10 do SO would NOT
make his action II the premises any different from
that CT many or the most prominent and eminent
members OF the Senate since the matter was first
brought 10 the attention OF that body
In the course OF a conversation with Senator John
sherman OF OHIO IN 1885 1 asked him Tor his opn-
Ion apoat ne chances or a bin for that purpose
then PENDING IN the Senate becoming a law, and
be SAID ne would ike 10 the old colored peo-le
benedted but the fund in question is an an
claimed iond, and We cannot TELL he said when
S.---l@--'s ma. Coiae II tliis money Is appro-
should site- ware come forward ana are properiv
asaln he said the co0red people We h becI1Syt
more ana more intelligent, ana therefore. cIaiIn-
Hls h9l-4 nalIfa-ly arise for much Of this money
te sad me money belonged 90 claimants that he
Eoss-..-t mao Toy yel lcenLlled, and that their
purpose These were Jhe views OF tEat srssr
Amlll-4n sia-esinaH aud hnaRcier. and they were
--ess--s7 ~, ~ -s senators and Con
ever il can satey az So oIber ~ f19Hgy wAea-
Of the race thar Is the proper heir 10 IL
The record ~ Senator Fairbanks since he On
tered public life shows him 70 lie fair ana irapar-
1ial Ia his dealings with ali men he has nor bear
less LTlenay 90 ne eolored than 70 the white peo-
70 enter the Spanish possessions by force OF arms
q drive spain from the Queen 0f the Antilles and
Their services and applied fer enlistment In the
i.-l-l1 go lalt. service N he war 10 be waged
opposition from the South 10 their enlistment fu
tor
Charles ". tr54-is. % indiana now Re9ub licsn
nominee Tor Weep resident OF The United states
was the lIst 10 come 10 their aid and ask rha-
rhev De allowed 10 enlist 10 form reRfrner+s ~
rher own many II them requested 10 be- ON
cerec and commanded by cGiOred men with the
same rank ana pay as the commandments of vvhfra
regiments The proposition practically car
RED our and several cclored volunteer orgaaiza-
u0ns were formed, and they. as wei the colored
regulars won nlg1 praise for gallant service or
ne field OF sual-sh-An American conflict
Senator Fairbanks then showed his friendiiness
ana fairness iu coutenClng for their right 10 be
mustered INTO the service under the flag TO which
they lad always been loyal This entities him
NttA President Roosevelt. 10 The confidence and
support ~ Tie entire colCred vote AT the coming
election 30 November During that war the colored
people mac -tb Officers ar an average annual salary
II $1,000 making The total aggregate pay for off,
GERS alone s-a.6J There were a -s4 prlvates with
an aggregate pay Of ssg75.s72 There were also 500
men employed as -aDurers wagon drivers. cooks
ail s-fFaEIs ~ az aggregate annual outlay OF
Si-ta5L Tie fetal sum paic 90 AL classes Of col
ofed men q The service during that period was
- el& This was due largely TO The friendly e.
t2Tts az senator Fairbanks .n doing what he be-
IeVed &c be right
The platform on which Roosevelt. Fairbanks and
'ttis tl-plollcan candidate for any Office stand
= III accord with Che fundamental principles and
,e-cles - tae party ~ LAneon, Grant. oliver P.
4GIIon and other great Republican statesmen
washington, Aug u. 1894 JAMES ". POE