The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-24
ROOSEVELT WANTS
SOUTH TO PROSPER
Colonel Bush Tells of Visit to
the President
APPRECIATES ITS FUTURE
The President Is Eager to Convince the
South of His Perfect Sincerity In
Working for Its contn-
ued Growth.
APPRECIATES ITS FUTURE

| Baltimore, Md, December 23.-(SpeciaL)
The Manufacturers Record will say
| "On a recent visit to Washington
had the pleasure of an interview with
| President Roosevelt. He received me cor
daily, as he appears to receive all his
visitors, and though very busy on the
opening day of congress, he very cour-
teously and kindly gave me time to dis
cuss several questions of interest, and
some of nature particularly so to a
southerner. No one can talk with Pres
ident Roosevelt without being impressed
with the fact that he is honest, capable
and patriotic, and that he deeply feels
the burden of his great responsibility and
is greatly concerned about the prosperity
of every section of the country. In talk
ing with him you cannot but conclude
that he has earnestly given his best
thought and talent to all governmental
questions, with particular desire to give
to the people the best class of govern
ment appointees available, considering
the fact that he must necessarily rely
on the aid and judgment of others to
very large degree. His action with refer
ence to appointments is understood and
duly appreciated by the people of my
own state when they remember the ap-
pointment of Judge Thomas G. Jones,
Judge Roulhae and Judge Kyle-all dem
ocrats-to important and responsible po-
stions. On inquiry l learned that of 1890
postmasters In Mississippi twenty three
are negroes. five being in communities
where no white people live. In the other
eighteen cases most Of not alb were, |
believe, appointees of Mr.. Mckinley, or
else where an effort had been made to
substitute more competent negroes for
those already in office. The appointments
made in the southern states generally
have demonstrated the fact that where
the president could not, In his Judgment
find competent and satisfactory republi-
cans, he has not hesitated to appoint
democrats, either of the GOV or Bryan
persuasion.
Il do not hesitate to say that the Pres
ident has no desire whatever to see negro
domination in the south, and is in no
sense in favor of negro social equality.
He does not think that the formal reeog-
milton Of the negro in connection with
the functions of the great office he holds
could be fairly construed as making him
an advocate of negro social equality. He
is of course, a friend to the negro, GER
tainly to the extent OF his environments
and equipping himself for the privileges
which the constitution of the several
southern states In form and substance
grant to him. Every fair minded south
erner will coneede this mucn, for it must
be apparent to every intelligent south
ern man that the negro will be more ac-
ceptable and useful to the extent of be-
ing better equipped for the department
Of work in which he can advantageously
engage and his moral character improved.
1t Is evident to any employer of labor
that increased intelligence brings in
creased efficiency, and to a great degree
higher appreciation of responsibility.
Those who are helping the negroes along
these lines are doing work for that race.
as well as for the best interests of all
concerned.