The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-08-26

one OF impulse and not Of delibera-
tion; for not only did the President
once appoint Drum, but after the ap.
pointment had fallen by adjournment
| OF the Senate without confirmation he
again renewed the appointments, and
when, for second time, the Senate
failed before Its adjournment to con-
firm the appointment, he made an ad
interim appointment OF Orum; and
the Senate at its last session having
for the third time failed to confirm the
appointment he again appointed hr
an interim; and thus he put and i s
kept him in the Office which he has
since held and now holds.
Now who Is Crum and what does
his appointment involveP I know the
man and his family. Crum has had
an education which barely qualities
him to practice medicine among his
own race, no more. He does not rank
specially high even there. His per-
sonal character Is good. OF business
generally he knows nothing. OF mer-
camille affairs he has no experience
whatever. He cannot today keep a
set Of books Of ordinary merchants
accounts, nor can be examine such ac.
counts or pass upon them.
And what Is the office of collector
OF port such as Charleston? 1t In.
wolves contact constantly with the
leading business men Of the city, the
doing of important business at all
times with importers of merchandise,
the passing constantly on delicate and
serious questions Of mercantile law
and practice; and in addition to all
this, he should be one tit to meet for
eign consuls and officers OF our mer.
chant marine; and to appear on i'm.
portant public and social occasions as
the representative of the city and ma
tion. Does not every important
Northern port OF the Union claim and
get such man as Its collector Of Gus.
toms? Is not the proud old historic
City Of Charleston entitled to such q
collector, IL such one Is to be found
within her borders? Does any one
for moment undertake to say that
Crum Is such a man? Why, then,
has he been thrust into the Office over
all protests and objections, and in the
face Of non confirmation by the S H.
ate? There Is but one possible an.
swer; he has been appointed because,
he Is negro. If he were white
""r- SC President or other appoint.
don power would ever dream of put
LING him into any high official posi-.
tion, least OF all into the Office Of col.
lector Of the of the port Of such city
and community as Charleston.
What has been the result? Precise.
ly what must have been known be.
fore-hand-a great awakening Of the
negro race to old dreams and hopes OF
political advancement and supremacy;
and Chagrin, disgust and a keen sense
Of injury On the part of the white peo.
pie of Charleston; distinct disturb
ance Of and putting far Oft the time
when racial hatred and i'll feeling shall
be only known there as history. My
discussion does not require me to say
or surmise what were President Roose
velt's motives In this transaction; bu,
it Is perfectly obvious that they could
have been no other than the hope ant
determination to gain for himself the
support OF the negro race Of South
Carolina, through their delegates Ii
the next National Republican Con
vention, In his candidacy for our nom
ination for our next President. Hi!
work has been effective in reaching
that end, but what shall impartial o.
fair minded men say Of it exoep
that 1t Is ignoble in its motives hnt
Edisastrons in It's effects? *
(a) THE OTHER INCIDENT
to be noticed Is Of all still another
character. A negro woman, named
Minnie Cox, had been for several year
postmaster at the town Of Indianoli
in the State of Mississippi, q towr
with a population Of possibly 1000
Last year public meeting of com
paratively a small part of the white
people Of this town demanded the re
signation by this woman of her office
The general view was and Is that sht
had conducted her Office we'll and had
done nothing to warrant any com
plant against her. Under fear.
caused by the demonstration Mrs. Cox
sent her resignation to the postofilct
department at Washington and fled tt
the town. 1t Is certain that not more
than $50 persons at most attended the
| hOCOAbH "ulCC 0SludnuSu MIS-. COA |
resignation, or had any connection
with 1t. Forthwith, without the
least hesitation, in the plenitude OF
measureless confidence, the Presiden,
proclaimed to the country that the
resignation OF Mrs. Cox would not be
allowed; that she would remain post.
master; and that the postofflce at In
dianola would be closed and all mai
addressed to Indianola would be sent
to the town OF Greenville, thirty miles
distant from Indianola. The post
office at Indianola was at once closed
and remained closed for considerably
more than year. All the citizen.
and people OF Indianola were for al
this time deprived Of postal facilities
and compelled at their own expense
to bring their mail from another
town.
AM SORRY TO BE OBLIGED
to add that the Presidents action fl
this case was greeted by salvos of ap
proval from his party friends; and il
must be further added that not few
who are not his political supporters
applauded his action. So slow are
men to look below the surface OF
things and see the essence OF such con.
duct! So easy Is 1t to palm Off hum.
bug and claptrap, yes, and rank In.
justice and cruelty, as honorable in.
dlgnation or spirited defence Of right