The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-29
Especial to News and Observer.)

(SpGcldl TO NEWS ana OBSERVER
Washington, d. c., March 2S.-The
boldest declaration in favor of Social
Equality that the United States Congress
las heard in the past decade was deliv-
cred in the House this morning by Mr.
Gillett, (Rep.,) of Massachusetts, who de-
ciared his belief that socially the white
that he honored President Roosevelt ior
his entertainment OF Booker Washington
ut his table.
Incidentally the speaker read the South
several lectures fer it's treaty OF the ne
gro politically and for its failure TO sup
press lynch law. Il want to know il
you practice what you preach asked
Mr.. Claude Kitchin. Mr. Gillett said he
had never entertained 4 negro at his
table
why not?'' urged Mr. Kitchin. BE
cause I didn't please to-" Why didn't
you please to-" hut Mr.. Gillctt avoided
the question by saying that every man
was allowed to choose his OWE associates
and not expected to invite to his table
every man that he recognized as his social
equal, even of his own race.
Later, referring to his reply. Mr.. De
Almond, OF Missouri, said the gentleman
from Massachusetts had confessed that
race prejudice had deprived him of GER
tain social advantages that he hight
othelwis. have enjoyed
Mr.. Gillett argued that it was not blood
that makes caste ard that what a man
becomes IL this country depends not upon
blood or race or condition, but upon
himself.
1T seems 10 me-" he added, Americans
have got to stand upon that basis and
any section OF any part of the United
States that departs from it is laying for
themselves a fourda ton OF deteriora-
tiCn," Continuing this line OF thought,
the speaker expressed astOnishmcnt that
the people of the South did not come
forward III protest against lynchings that
were becoming so common.
Mr. Iiitchin wanted to know where
should we protest, in this House?'
Mr.. Gillett thought the better place
would be in your homes MIR. kitchin
inquired Have YOU ever heard anybody
sn this House protesting against the
Springfield riots?''
Mr.. Gillett did not know that he had.
anybody in this IiOuse?'' enquired Mr..
Kichin. Mr.. Gillett had heard no pro-
test.
There was iynching took place in my
own county last August continued Mr..
Kitchin. did you not See the papers
protested against that in orr State? How
do you know they do not protest against
it,
Mr Gillett thought lie would have
heard of it occasionally ii they had. Mr.
kiichin wanted to know If 1t was any
more the duty of Southern members to
get UP and protest against lawlessness in
the South than OF Northern members to
protest against lawlessness in the South.
Not necessarily" replied Mr.. Gillett.
But WHEN a member gets up in this
House to defend lynching the time has
come to say something"
Mir. Kitchin. who did that?'
Mr. Gillett "The gentleman defended
it ;Rdirectly.'
Nh Kitchin. Have you ever heard any
member in the House defend a lynching
for any crime except rape?'
AIR Gillett. mo. does The gentleman
defend It for that crime?'
Mr.. kltchin. y do not either condemn
or defend it for that crime because |
have lived in a community where it took
place and I have seen it with my eyes,
ard / have heard the sobs of the mother
and the sreams of the children. Do you
mean to say if you lived in community
in which this most horrible of all crimes
took place you would then and there con-
denim lynching?'
Mr. Gillett Didn't believe he would
condemn lynching on any terms. Again
touching the entertainment OF Booker
Washington at Mr.. Roosevelt's table, Mr..
GHlett said: er ~ not know anything
about the circumstances of it. but l as
sumo it was momentary impulse. just as
any other man would have done had
Mr. Kitehin 81 am very glad to hear
the gentleman from Massachusetts apollo
giving for.
Mr.. Gillett denied that he was apologiz-