The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-02-23
NO RACE PROBLEM
Virginia's Governor Sees Lit
tie Need TO Discuss 1t.
WOULD ACCOMPLISH NOTHING
Swanson Declines Invitation 10
Name Delegates to Conference on
Negro Observation-Disclosures IL No
Longer Serious Menace-Letter
Sent to Baptist Minister.

Richmond, Va. Feb. z2.-Gov Claude y.
Swanson has declined to name delegates
to a prospective conference or commission
representing the Southern States, and to
be created for the purpose of formulating
policy as to the future refations of the
Two races in the South.
The 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 at
time and place not yet determined.
The governor announces his determina-
ton in a letter addressed to Rev. John L.
White, ID. D., distinguished Baptist min
lister Of Atlanta, and accompanies the an
nouncement with a rather fun summary
of the reasons for his declination.
DR.. White called on Gov. Swanson about
ten days ago, and has since written to him
several times relative to the project. of
which the Atlanta minister and other
prominent Southern men are the projec
tors. if not the originators. The purpose
OF the proposed commission, as outlined.
is to ascertain the facts, examine into the
conditions existing in the South with
reference 10 the two races, and then to
formulate and prOmulgate 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.
No Good Would Accrue.
That no good would accrue from the
work Of such a commission is the pri-
mary reason for the governors determina-
ton. He declares that ne can see in Viz
ginia no occasion for such a commission,
and emphasizes the fact that we have had
no race riots and that the two races have
been living i'm friendship. peace. and pros
peTity, yet apart. He takes the trouble TO
summarize what the white people of Viz
ginia have done for the negro in the mat
ter of education.
The governor cites the varied conditions
in the eleven Southern States, and the
wide variance of views OF the people
whose local conditions differ 50 widely
and urged this as a reason 10 anticipate
that no unanimous conclusion could be
reached. and any other would be devoid
OF force and effect.
The answer is a ringing statement of
the attitude of the white people of Nir-
sinia toward the negro, and OF the rela-
tons between the two races.
Governors Letter.
Gov. Swanson's letter is in part as fol-
lows:
Rev. john f. White. Atlanta, Ga.
Since the receipt of your letter and
Your recent conversation with me. in
which you fully discussed the proposition.
have given the matter very thoughtful
consideration. and have reached the con
clusion that no good would accrue from
the creation or work of such commits
sion I can certainly see i'm Virginia no
occasion for such q commission. The re-
latio1s between the TWO races In this State
are peaceful and friendly No trouble ex-
lists that i am aware Of No negro who is /
Industrious. Iaw-abidiug and contributes
10 the welfare of his community can
make complaint OF either the laws or the
sentiments of the Virginia people. We
have had no race troubles or riats. All
of the proposed problems for discussion
and solution 10y the commission hive al
ready been determined by the general as
sembHes OF this State. There has been a
complete separation of the two races i'm
schools, public pldcs. street and railway
cars, and other public convcyances. The
suffrage question has been determined
with justice and fairness, and has ceased
10 be a subject of discussion or agitation.
Ceased 10 BE Problem.
THE negro question has ceased 90 Doe
a serious problem affecting this STATE
With firmncss and fairness Virginia has
for the present settled the matter and is
now in an era of mcxampled prosperity
and progress. The State is making rapid
advances in moral, educational. and ma
terial directions. I apprehend that the
appointment of the commission and its
work, and "a discussion of the negro
question. would tend to reiBtroduce il in
this State as matter OF discussion and
agitation. which 7 would dislike very
much to see. This would certainly not
Doe conducive To tho States continued
progress and prosperity; besides. the APP
polntmeHt of such a commission would
Doe q confession that matters are very
unsatisfactory in this State and need
marked amclioration. Such is not the
case, and I would not consent for Viz
sinia 10 be placed in this attitude
Concerned in SOuth's welfare.
Il am deeply concerned in everything
that appertaius TO the prosperity and
progress of the South, and, as governor of
Virginia. will gladly cooperate in any
measure or undertaking that viii be
prom0tive OF the best interests OF the
South as whole. This proposition does
not come to me as request from the
people of the other Southern States for
Virginia 10 aid IN the discussion and set /
Element OF this matter, bat for Virginia /
10 aid m the initiation of such a commits
sion As there is no necessity for such
a commission in Virginia, I cannot take /
action i'm the matter until { have received /
request from the authorities of the 1
other States TO do so. and il such a re- /
quest is presented by the other Southern 4
State, it shall be given fun and fair con- |
sideration, and you may rest assured that !!
in the future as in the past Virginia 4
viii be found gladly and tremendously CO. I
operating with her sister Southern States /
Il conceive it 10 be my duty 10 write 1
you my convictions and conclusions i'm 4
this matter with the utmost frankness /
and candOr
with kind regards. am. very truly 1
yours,
CLAUDE a. SWANSON.
Governor of Virginia " /