The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-08-21
RHETI' ANSWERS GRACE
Submits Letters From Cha;rm,,
Willie Jones and Messrs. Smith
and Simons.

Cohmbla. August l0.-Thr letter
OF Mr.. Il. &. Rhctt to ,'rcsidru,
Roosevelt IN regard to the appoint-
meht or trulm. referred to IN thc
campaign rs c,n,pininw rvu,r.,;,r..
sympathetic with the Republican n,r-
~ has been submitted TO Gen. Willie
Jones, State Democratic chairman
VII" has given statement sovin~
That he found no such scntimcnra
'1creln. The private letter books of
MR. kheu from October, 1909. to
january, 1908. have been submitted
TO two distinguished lawyers Of
D charleston, McSsrs. II. A. NJ. Smith
y and james Simons. who stutc that
they find therein only this one let-
IN ter from Mr. Rhett to the president
who agree with Gen. Jones in
3lS statement, saying further that on
account of certain personal references
l. Il l"dv who WAS affected by the
4 rum appointment. Mr.. Rhett is cor
k9ert IN his refusal to publish the let
Yer. The statements follow:
Columbia. S. G., August lS, 1908.
Alr. James \. lIoyt,
Columbia. S. c.:
Dcar Sir:
AT your request us 4 representative
of Mr.. r. G. Rhctt. candidate for the
United States senate. I have read
= carefully letter to the president Of
the United States. signed by Mr..
Rhctt, and dated Nov. 21st, 1902, in
his private letter book. submitted to
anne by YOU, in which Mr.. Rhett pro-
tests strongly against the appoint
meet Of Dr. Crum as collector Of the
port OF Charleston. | can see moth
ing in rhiS letter which would indi-
cate anything Republican or any ten
dcncy towards the Republican party
on the part Of Mr.. Rhctt. The letter
appears TO me 10 be simply strong
protest by Democrat against the
appointment Of negro to an Office in
South Carolina.
Very truly yours.
Willie Jones.
Chairman.
Charleston. August 18th. 1908.
Hon. r. G. Rhctt.
Charleston, S. c.:
Dear Sir:
AT your request we beg TO say that
we have examined your copy letter.
books covering The period from De-
tobcr, 1902, to january, 1908, and
find therein but one letter addressed
to President Roosevelt. This letter
(and you assure us this is the only
letter in that pcrinD is dated Novrm-
Der DIST. 1902. and was written at the
time of the contemplated appointment
by President Roosevelt Of w. D.
Crum as collector nj the port Of Char
lesion. and is written in the most
strenuous terms Of protest against
that appointment. We have read the
letter carefully. and find in tho letter
absolutely nothing TO the effect. rs
stated in the affidavit Of Mr.. John p
Grace. that yon we're a Republican
and rcproarhcd the president because
by the appointment Of negroes to
prominent Office he would render i'm
possible and ineffective the work Of
yourself in advancing the interests of
the Republican party i'm South Car
olina.' Your letter i'm no way. shape
or form intimatcs that YOU either are
or propose 10 be y Republican. and
the protest TO The president iS couch
cl upon The theory that The appoint
mcnt Of negroes io office in the South
was most unfortunate for them. mas
much as il simply tended TO increase
the friction and lessen the possibility
Of harmonious existence between
themselves and the whites Of the
South, upon whose good will The best
possibilities for the future or the ne
gro depended.
There are in the letter illusions Of
a very personal character to indivi-
dnals Ga lady, for instancc) which
we think il would be breach Of pro-
/. pricty on your part in this matter
Snow to publish.
Very truly yours,
Henry a. NJ. Smith.
James Simons.