New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-04
Mr.. CLEVELAND DENIES IT
NEGRO NOT HIS GUEST.
HIS Letter Starts Debate on Race
Issue an the House.

washington, March 3.--Iu the House to-day let
ter from ex- President Cleveland denying that g H
). Taylor. a negro. had dined with him IT the
White House. charged BY Representative Scott.
Of Aansas' few days ago, read by Repre-
sentative Webb. Of North Carolina. Mr.. Scott
promptly offered an apology to the ex-PrcsiIent.
saying nc never before had heard the statement
which he had made denied A discussion Of the
race question followed. in which Mr. Williams
TIE minority leader criticised President Roosevelt
ioT having invited Booker T. Washington to a seat
at his table. Representative Webb said Mr.. Cleve-
laid had been friend OF the negro but never had
held out to him the hope OF social equality. Mr.
Williams said that objection 10 the appointment Of
n negro TO Office with the statement that
there could be discrimination but asserted that
Chinaman would not be appointed a postmaster
Q the Pacific Coast
MI Webb. calling attention TO the statement
made by Iir. Scott. announced that he had writ
ten to NJ. Cleveland. sending him an extract from
The Record" and asking If the statements made
by Mr.. Scott were true This morning" he said
4 received the following reply" which he read
amid applause on che Democratic side:
~. ~, Princeton. " y. March ?. 1905
Den 1oH s, T. T. webb House Of Representative.
OF scott has seen ut 20 use my in digplay
Of In ans Se moor TO Your e oGry
e aSeyeF ni h3yo 90 say q his statement that
Y me at the White House that it is deliberate
Taylor is concerned. 1 understand prior to his ap-
continent as Register Of Deeds at Washington
the the City Attorney at Kansas City - Els nomnS-
ne served IN that place with intelligence and eff
Len ne has since died. Some people do not
MY INQUIRIES concerning Mr.. Taylor before his a9-
P0,ntment' my observation Of him during his il.
S;Hiiot'cgi ana the little I have known Of him
sslhce satisfy me that his character is very IN
charge is made against Mr. Taylor by Mr. Scot.
winch ne doubly clinches with truth when he de-
ever 70 doubt his familiarity with ' his subjec;
Mntn ne ,auus. as black as YOU saw Yours
very truly. GROVER CLEVELAND.
Mr. Webb said he wanted this denial TO travel.
that tho statement Of Mr. Scott might be overtal-
en- Mr.. Cleveland a friend OF the negro but
not FOOL friend" h said. He never by word or
act encouraged the dream Of socs! equality in
TIE oF-ast OF the black man" This greeted
with applause by the Democrats Again he con-
tnued' he was the friend OF the colored man. but
he also was the friend of,the Southern white and
syfnIatnized with us in problems and
race burdens. and that. sir is more than Mr..
Roosevelt seems ever 20 have done
MIR. Scott said he accepted the statement OF Mr..
cleveland rs true. and offered his. apology In
justice 10 himself he desired 10 say that lie never
v. M IS Swanson ian Of virginia asked Nj Scott
trLI,u thtt ne had seen II In the newspapers. M
swanson asked further for a copy Of a newspaper
that these statements We're made several years
ago and the papers might not be easily procured
land. ana added that he had brought to Mr.. Cieve-
!3hd Tor the hrst time IN four years applause from
on the ma jority side
4 remember distinctly that when Mr. Taylor
came back from Washington said Mr.. Scott
preceded by the announcement that he had been
appointed TO tire office OF Recorder Of Deeds IL the
District OF Columbia BY President Cleveland. his
lt.os intt MIN al the Union Depot Kansas tlty
white horses. A committee with the carriage
boasted according the reports OF the newspapers
that Il remained FOR q Democrat, President. not
at his table in the White House for the drst time
"A
broadly and generally throughout the State OF
What evidence have you that he ever made that
boast?" asked Mr.. shackleford OF Missouri.
No evidence but newspaper reports" replied
Does not the gentleman agree that 1t would BE-
improper and lack OF dignity for the President
OF the United States or an ex-President to rush
might be put out? asked Mr.. Hardwick o, Georgia
ex-Preedei.t Of the Tinted states FOR not having
heretofore made a denial I was giving him fun
credit for the deaial he now makes he added.
Mr.. Willard. the minority leader charged that
Mr.. Roosevelt had entertained Booker T. Wash
ington at dinner carry the light OF example
tho South which does not believe in social equality
Mheh 81 negro fe once in the south th hs
statement is made that there can be no discrimna-
DnItaste2 ON the Pacc Coast II he possessed
he Ability Of Ii Hung Chang. Mr. Williams said
the whole nciden: showed the underlying hypocrisy
regardless of color RAGS traits and tendencies"
Mr.. Scott inquired who had been asserting social
Il have understood. replied Mr. Williams. that
faith OF the last twenty years has been that men.
regardless OF color. race traits. tendencies char
arteristIcs capabilities what not ought 10 be
strictly equal politically; but that IS not all; The
bead Of your partv tho example OF social
equality IN the only manner in which il can be
set by inviting black man TO MS table. II
what the President had done was not 10 carry the
LIGHT OF example. It done for no purpose at
an The minority leader said lao was not quar-
rolling with Mr.. Roosevelt adding: He mas a
perfect right invite colored man II ne chooses,
b,Ir s. Ear as ] know. he waited until ne was
President OF the United States; so IT could pear an
of9cial stamp. before he ever did IL
NJ scott said ne had made no imputaton or
fault against Mr.. Cleveland. He had simply point
"a 20 the allegation he had made because the
nernocratic party had gone into mysteries because
80 man had invited a coOred man 10 MS table.
m right said Mr.. Williams. i am gad TO
hear that because 1 thought the gentleman mad
sbs,r, stick after my dear ana nlucn
edored old friend Grover Cleveland II- 5
NJ NcC'leary cut short further discussion oy
,oi-f 81 order against remarks not germane:
rho House passed the District OF CoiuInpla Ap-
preparation bill and began Coisiuei''iO' u '0
indian Appropriation bill