Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1908-05-01
AN IOWA NEGRO ON
CUnnINS.

Il +.
Editor Bysts sder:
I had about made up mind that
would not take any active part In the
primary campaign against Governor
Cummins, but would leave my friends.
II have any in The state, to support
him or not entirely unin fiaenced by
snything that might do or say, but
upon reading In your Issue OF April
44,h /. the letter from o. w. Curtis Of
Rome, Ga recommending the Cover
nor to the Iowa Npgr. voters fell
that II the Governor had togo into
that extreme southern state to get an
endorsement it must be true that there
are other Negroes in Iowa who like
myself have failed to find any act in
Mr.. Cummins' seven years admin istra-
ton as governor OF Iowa that would
entitie him to be stilled "the trues,
example OF the Lincoln type Of Ameri-
canism, knowing no man by his color,
creed or position, but approaching his
worth, Thrift and integrity, which
prove him worthy Of our fullest cor Fl,
Deuce, our profound and most sincere
gratitude" as he is styled By his Geor-
gi. friend
1t is said that distance lends en-
chantment' and it may therefore be
true thai he presents an appearance.
to the Negroes whose votes he expects
to help nominate him at the state pri
mary June 2nd.. al live within III,
state OF Iowa and some of us IN tn,
same city where he resides, and, Will,
we all agree that he is handsome
man, q brilliant orator withal, almos
congenial gentleman to meet, soms
OF us are also aware of the fact tina,
while, in some of his oratorlcal fights
be has said some gerry kind.thing>
shout us, during his seven years as
Governor OF Iowa he has not appoint TED
. single Negro to q permanent posi-.
ton of any sort, public or private
although he has has applications from
many in all classes, ranging from
common laborers to college graduates
On the other hand when he cam.
into Office he found three Negroes
Messrs VIM. Coalson, j. Fl. Sheppard
and h. H. Lewis, regularly employed
in and about the State House wherea.
at this the close Of bis administration
there is only one MIR. VIM. Coalsop
permsntly emp Dyed as janitor in th.
Governors office, another John Wal.
ker employed as fireman during th.
winter season and one, the Editor OF
the Bys,ander, doing clerical work,oL
the Archives Commission which is only
: temporary position.
Not only has Governor Cummins
failed to d, anything by the way OF
giving or assisting Negroes to secure
permanent employment but onl tn.
other hand be and his friends even
condescended to W ige bitter warfare
upon and 10 thereby defeat, the only
Negro who was q candidate for any
clerical position in the last State Leg
islature, although he held college d.
plomas, aud this even, after he had Sc
cured the written pledges OF maj or :
" Of the Repu blican mem bers of the
House and after he had travelled over
several counties of the state and
helped to re-elect Gov. Cumnius for q
fourth term as Governor OF Iowa.
These things being true Mr.. Editor.
l, cannot say with his friend in Geor-
gia that Gov. Cummins, great man
though he is, has proven himself
worthy of the fullest confidence, pro-
found love and most sincere graft
tude" OF the Negro voter of Iowa.
5. JOE BROWN.
1897 7Gh,, st.
Des Moines, la.