The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-04-15

ored man to the South as a trust, and
that trust should be kept. There was
not to be a hybridized South. He
wanted the country to know that he
was speaking as a ~southerner, with
the best interest at heart OF both the
white and black inhabitants. The
negro race will develop, when il does,
because Of inherent qualities. When
this time came. if it ever did, the white
race would still be ahead, as it never
would yield as the progressive race of
the world"
Mr.. Bartlett, of Georgia, sent to the
desk and had read a letter from ex-
President Cleveland, dated March
14th, 1904. in reply to one from him
self, denying certain allegations of
Thomas e Watson, of Georgia. The
letter reads:
MY dear Mr.. Bartlett:
Z I have received a number Of in
quiries similar to yours, touching upon
my invitation to Fred. Douglas TO a
wedding reception and signing while
governor of New York. of a Dill pro-
viding for mixed schools.
Il do not suppose that Mr.. Thomas
Z. Watson believes. or had any reason
to believe, either of the allegations
when he made them. At any rate,
they are both utterly and absolutely
false.
II cannot afford to devote a great
deal CT time in denying such foolish
tales / shall, therefore, attempt to
cover-every phase of the subject now
and for all. 1t so happened that I
lave never in my official position, eth
er when sleeping or waking, alive or
dead. on my head or on my heels,
dined. lunched or supped or invited to
a wedding reception any colored man,
woman or child
IF, however, I had decided to do
any Of these things. neither the fear
of Mr.. Watson or any one else would
have prevented me. When I was gov
ernor, a movement was made in the
Legislature to abolish separate colored
schools in New York city. / opposed
the measure and it failed I do not
find that I ~interposed a veto, and I
have forgotten the course the matter
took, but L Know that whatever 1 did
was in favor of maintaining separate
colored schools, instead of having
them mixed.
GROVER CLEVELAND."
Mr.. Bartlett, in explanation of his
action, said that, while he was one
Of those who did not agree with MI.
Cleveland in many things, the EXPIRES
ident did, he nevertheless had the
2GIIOL leu CS oil 81 ~ III SIdlS-
ments made by Mr.. Scott.
While declaring hat he was not
making any defense of Mr.. Cleveland,
Mr.. Bartlett said hat whenever Mr..
Cleveland's name was suggested as a
possible candidate of the Democrats
for President, the Republicans seemed
to get very much excited and afraid.
II know he will not be nominated"
he emphatically declared. II know
too" he said, that he does not desire
to be nominated" He said he also
knows that the Democratic party
would nominate some one who was a
true Democrat, and he added with
some elaboration:
cit is not very difficult now to
state who that will be-"
docs the gentleman know who it
will be?" inquired Mr.. Dalzell.
Yes" said Mr.. Bartlett, 1.-The whole
country knows" and he added after
a pause. Judge Parker, of New York"
which ELECTED Democratic applause.
Mr.. Lacey, of Iowa, at this point
facetiously asked Mr.. Bartlett If he
vas not discourteous to his two coll
leagues, Williams. of Mississippi, and
Hearst. of New York.
L withdraw in the interest of party
harmony" calculated Mr.. Williams,
amid laughter.
The House adjourned until to-mor-
| row.