The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-14
THE HERMITAGE"
STMASTERSHIP
Negro Wants President to
Appoint Him.
IN JACKSON'S OLD HOME
Question Embarrasses Republicans in
Tennessee and May Be Nightmare
to Administration.
IN JACKSON'S OLD HOME

Is IT wise to appoint a negro to be
postmaster at The Hermitage" the
home Of Andrew Jackson, near Nash
VILE Tenn?
That is the question which has been
put squarely up to the Fourth Assist
ant Postmaster General. Mr. Bristow.
1t is giving him no little anxiety, and.
incidentally, it IS perplexing Repub-
lican ofice-holders, as well as Repub-
lican politicians who are directing Mr..
Roosevelt's campaign.
"Partie Justice"
The question is rapidly reaching what
might be called the acute stage. The
negroes are clamoring for "recogni-
ton" Their leaders say II would be
''partIe justice" If Mr.. Roosevelt should
appoint a descendant Of one Of his for
mer slaves to be postmaster at what
was once the home of the hero of
New Orleans" They insist that the Of
fee. under the rules that govern dis
tribution of Federal patronage, should
be given TO negro; that the case Is
not dissimilar from that Of Crum at
Charleston. and that if the President is
determined 10 keep the door Of hope
open for the black man this is an eX-
ceIlent opportunity for him 10 make
good the promises held out to negroes
in the Presidents speeches on the race
question.
These negroes have made known their
wishes to the white Republican leaders
in Tennessee. and have threatened that
unless something Is done for them they
viii carry their case directly TO the
President. The white leaders are up
in the air. over the subject. saying that
it's a case OF damned II they do and
damned if they don't" They advise that
the question better be not discussed I'M
I'll after the election.
History of theICase.
This is not the first time that The
Hermitage" pOstofflce case has engross-
ed the attention of the Postoffice De-
partment In Mr.. Cleveland's first term
a Democrat named Field was appointed
postmaster at The Hermitage" He held
Office continuously without molestation
until 1897. President Harrison retained
him In Office. When NJ. Mckinley was
elected. the negroes IL the district de-
manded that Field be removed and that
one OF the three Republican voters in
The Hermitage precinct be given the
Office.
OF those three Republicans one was 4
white man OF ample wealth who
wouldn't accept the pOstmastership al
Washington, much less ut THE Hermit
age" and two negroes. Both these ne
groes wanted the Office. They finally
compromised and one Withdrew in the
others favor. Then they drew up Il pc
tition. which was presented TO white Re
publican voters in Tennessee who had
- = lei Il / -
there.
Petition Rejected
The petition was Endorsed by most Of
these white Republican leaders. though
some Of them protested and In due time
it was filed with the Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General The petition did
not specify that the person recommend
ed was a negro. This fact was. how
ever drawn 10 the department. atten-
ton. and it was made clear that it
would never do even for d Republican
Administration 20 appoint a negro 10
be postmaster At Andrew Jac!son's
home. and the Democrat retained the
position.
Revival Of Case.
n few weeks ago the postmaster at
1.-The Hermitage" died leaving the office
in charge of members OF his family.
The negroes were prompt 10 see their
opportunity and swift 10 grasp ii. Now
they are actively At work In circulating
4 petition IN behalf OF one OF the two
negro voters IN the precinct. and they
say they will carry the case this time
straight 20 President Roosevelt.
The Office is not. from q financial
point OF view, exceedingly attractive,
2 Oh FF
ton Is due them, and that an example
should be set at The Hernita &c" Just
as II was At Charleston.
They Want Recognition.
In this connection It is recalled that
few years ago negroes in Nashville
sought TO obtain for member Of their
race there the position OF collector OF
the Dort at Nashville. J. W. Dilin. a
white Republican leader. told them
plainly that 10 do so would be useless.
inasmuch as white importers would pro-
test and Senators Carmack and Bate
would block confirmation IN the Senate
In response To this negro attorney.
CrOsswaithe said he didn't care about
the confirmation and he didn't want The
Office. but he did want the political
recognition" and the prestige that IS
supposed 10 go with H.
Arc They Seeking Notoriety7
This IS believed 10 be the purpose Of
negroes who are now clamoring for the
enthusiastically at The Hermitage"
They do not care especially for the sal
airy, but they would Ike 10 get their
names IN the newspapers and be talked
about in Washington and elsewhere pre-
cfsplv as Minnie Cox. the heroine OF
Indianola. " and Or. CTuT. the hero OF
Charleston" have been discussed. II Is
proba BILE that the POstOihce Department
will recognize this feature Uf the case
and reckon with il accordingly.