The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-21
Gov, Swanson Declines
to Name Members of
Race Commission,
NO NEGRO PROBLEM
IN STATE. HE SAYS.
In Letter to Atlanta Minister
Interested In Project to Have
Governors Of Southern States
Name Such Commission
He Gives His
Reasons.

Governor Claude a. Swanson ycster-
day declined TO name delegates to q
prospective conference or commission
representing the Southern Stutos, and
TO be created for the purpose Of formu-
,ating policy as to tho future rcia-
tioas OF the two races In the South.
Thc contemplated commission Is to be
composed Of three delegates from each
Of the eleven Southern States, to be
named by the Governors and to meet
ut n time and place not yet determined.
The Governor announces his deter
yninaton In a letter addressed 10 the
Rev. John E White, D. D., n distin-
Guished 13aptist minister of Atlanta,
and accompanies the announcement
with a rather fulss summary of the
reasons for llis declinanon.
Or. White called on Governor Swan
ron about ten days ngo. and has since
written to him several times relative
TO the project, Of which the Atlanta
minister and other prominent Southern
men are the projectors II not the orig
tnators. The purpose OF the proposed
commission. as outlined, Is to ascer-
tain the .acts, examine into the condi-
tions existing In the South with refer
ence to tho two races, and then to for
1nulate and promulgatc the conclusions
reached. These would be in the nature
of the policy to be pursued by the
white men OF the South toward the.
negro.
That no good would accrue from the
work effsucn a commission is the pri-
mary reason fer the Governors deter
ninatior. he declares that nc can
see in Virginia no occasion for such a
commission, and emphasizes the fact
that We have had no race riots and
tI.at the two races have been living In
friendship. peace and prosperity, yet
apart He takes the trouble to sum-
mario what the white people OF VIZ
Gl,ia have done for the negro In the
n matter OF education.
The Governor cites the varied condi-
ttons In the eleven Southern States, and
the wide variance OF views Of the Speo-
pie whose local conditions differ SC
widely, and urges tl,ls as reason TO
anticipate that no unanimous conclusions
could be reached. and any other would
be devoid OF force and effect.
Tie answer Is a ringing statement OF
the attitude Of the white people OF Vir-
Einia toward the negro and OF the re-
leticns between the two races. The let
ter is herewith given In fun:
The Governors Letter.
Rev. John i. White. Atlanta Ga:
My Dear Sir,-This Is the first ops
,ortunity have had to reply to your
recent letter in regard to the adVlsa-
bility OF creating commission TO pc
s-s COmDOEed OF three tHlGIUpclS lIoIA cnSa'
of the Southern States. TO be named
by the Governor. which commission
should be authorized to ascertain the
facts, report upon the existing con-
ditions between the white and colored
races in the South. and make promul-
cation defining the future relations Do
tween the races and the policy OF INC
South in regard to the negro,
since the receipt of this letter and
your recent conversation with me, IN
which you fully discussed the propo-
sition, have given the matter very
thoughtful consideration; ana nav
reached the conclusion that no good
would accrue from the creation or
work OF s.Ah commission. can
certainly see in Virginia no occasion
FOR such commission. The rclatlons
between tho two races IN TINS State
are peaceful and friendly NO .trouplc
exists that I nm aware or. NO negro
who 10 Industrious, law-abiding ana
contributes to the welfare OF his com-
1nunity can mako complaint OF either
the laws or the sentiments OF the
Virginia people. We nave hau ~
,,nsnd problems for discussions and
solution by the commission have al,
,.cody been determined by the Genera!
Assemblies Of this State. There mas
hecn complete separation OF the two
races In schools. public places. st,eee ,n,,e
n nd 4 4.
nnnvnvoncns The suffrage question
,,os been determined with justice ana
fairness. and has ceased to DC a SUD-
iect of discussion or agitation.
Al, inter1narriagcs between tho IVY
races arc prohibited ana ses.,ss
punished, by law. me .,H,. lI'.s'u ,,roh-
tion has ceased to be serious PROD
lem affecting this State. With hrm-
ness and fairness Virginia has 1or
the present settled the matter. ana 10
now in an era OF unexampled pros <
perIty and progress, The state Is
making rapid advances IN mora, cuu
cationnl and material directions.
npprehend that the appointment 81
the commission and Its work. and
discussion OF the negro question,
would tend to reintroduce " III thls
State as matter of discussion ana
agitation, which ! would dislike very
much to see. This would certainly
not be conducive to the States con-
tinucd progress and prosperity; be-
sides, the appointment Of such q
commission would be a confession
that matters are very unsatisfactory
in this state. and need marked ame-
liorntlon. Such is not the case, and
would not consent for Virginia to be
placed In this attitude.
What Virginia Has Done.
The state of Virginia has dealt and
N--F continues 10 deal generously, Ialfly.
and Justly with the negro. IT has been
estimated that since the Civil War
Virginia has expended nearly 170OO-
900 for the education OF negroes, With.
unsurpassed self-dena, the white poo
ple of Virginia, out Of their own pow
erty. have cndcavored to educate two
races. s8t Il,
There can be no Just cause for com-
plant against the white people of
Virginia In their dealings with the ne-