The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-13
SCOTT REPLIES.
Kansas Congressman Makes An
sWer to Cleveland
In the Controversy Regarding
the Negro c. J. Taylor.
HE HAD GOOD GROUNDS
For Believing His Original
Statement to Be True.
Speech Attracted Much Atten-
ton From Both Sides.

Washington, April 13.-Represen-
tative Scott of Kansas in a speech
which attracted much attention in the
house has replied to the letter of
Grover Cleveland to d Democratic
member, ia which the ex-president
severely criticised Mr.. Scott for mis-
representing his attitude toward the
negroes.
The Kansas congressman had said in
the house that Mr. Cleveland, when
president. had entertained at dinner at
the White House Charles J. Taylor,
a Kansas negro, whom Mr. Cleveland
appointed recorder Of deeds for the
District Of Columbia This Cleveland,
in very positive language. denied
Mr.. Scott had announced that he
would reply to the ex-presideut. and
when he took the floor the galleries
were filed. In the crowd We're many
Kansas people. who have followed
with interest the controversy between
the Kansas congressman and Mr..
Cleveland. He spoke for nearly an
hour. as he also discussed the race
question and the conditions in the
south. He received the attention of
the entire house and when he con-
cIudeG was vigorously applauded by
the Republicans. Representative
Bartholdt, who interrupted him,
aroused the Democrats by the state
ment that Thomas Jefferson had once
dined with a negro. This brought
from Representative Williams the as
sertiOn that if Jefferson ever ate any
thing with a negro he did it in his
kitchen and net at his own table. as
he never would have dreamed of seat
ing himself on an equality with a
negro.
IN remarks with reference to the
letter of Mr. Cleveland, MI Scott read
letters from several people in Kan
sas. and elsewhere. saying that Tay-
Tor had told them that he had taken
dinner with Mr.. Cleveland. and that
he had at other times received social
attentions from the then president.
He also showed By the records of the
state department that AIr- Cleveland
had appointed Taylor minister to
bolivia, and that he did not serve in
that position because the senate had
failed to confirm his nomination. The
fact that Mr. Cleveland when gov
ernOr Of New York had signed a bill
providing mixed schools in New York
city. was also brought out by Mr.
Scott IN letter printed in the
newspapers Mr.. Cleveland said that
he had not signed any such measure
Tt seems 10 me-" said Mr. Scott
that the eX-Dresident in his letter
betrayed a degree of irritation en-
tirely out of proportion TO the mag
nitude of the unintentiOnaI offense I
have committed I felt as I heard
that letter read a great deal as 7 i'm
ne had trodden uDOn the cOrns of his
neigh Dor. and had then been hailed
before a criminal court on the charge
or assault with intent to kill. It
struck me that there was a remark
able discrepancy also between what
the eN-9resident himself said of Mr.
Taylor and his indignation on account
or what I had said. He himself 81 Il
that Nj Taylor was a man If bigb
character and great intelligence who
nad served his country well. and vet
ne declared that the simple statement
1hat ne had shown this same man
some courtesy and hospitality was an
evidence Of my evil propensfties.' He
admitted that he had a1no7nted hin,
10 a position which cOmpeIled a 1arpe
number o. white men and women
not only to associate with him 5aiIT-
but to take orders, from him. and vet
ne was fierce in his denial of ne
statement that he himself had shown
TINS man some social attention.
I need hardly say that I have not
cited these letters to inpeach in any
degree the veracfty of Mr.. CIevela.7d