The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-07-28

PRESIDENT is IN POSITION TO
SHOW HIS STAND.

A Northern QuestiOn-POOr Old
Pinchback-Once Notorious In
Louisiana, Now Resident OF West.
chester, N. ", and Wants Job.
Washington, July 22.-President
Taft Is not able altogether to got
away from the NEGRO question" al
belt his campaign managers have
tried to separate the Republican
party In the South from the negro. He
has let II be known. as far as that
was possible that ne is not going to
appoint any negroes to important Of
noes In the Southern states. That
policy can not hurt the Republican
party In the South. for that party can
not be hurt very much in those parts
On the contrary the g. O. p. lead
ere have ben led to believe that there
10 no possible hope for their party In
the South until the negro II eradicat-
ed from II. There are those who be-
Iieve that q sort Of caflummux is COM
ing to some of these leaders. among
whom is Mr.. Taft. when they and TINT
this general exodus from the Demo-
cratic to the Republican party sched-
uled to take place az soon a. 1t is
made certain that there is decent"
Republican party. does not make a
great impression In the South; for It
is about as sure a thing as you know
that this remarkable exodus isn't CO.
ing to ex.
But, however the programme In the
South is. however easily Mr.. Taft has
been able to ignore aspiring negroes
In the South. it Is not easy at all In
the North, or at least In certain States
and certain districts of the North,
where the negro vote is the balance
of power. For It is we'll known and
fully appreciated that a number Jof
Republican representatives In con-
gress would not be here but for the
negro votes. and II the negroes Of
~hio. Illinois and Indiana would vote
the Democratic ticket. 1t would be good
bye to the @. o. p. In these States
SO far as the electoral college is con-
cerned. So at least 1t Is believed by
many. And II negroes are potent in
politics they must have Office. There
are always those among them who as
pire to ONCE. because 1t is so much
more agreeable, at least 1t is at first,
TO aspire than to perspire.
Nowthere is Just now one, the Hon.
j. b. 8. Pinchback of Reconstruction
infamy who now lives In the State of
Nav York but who was one time lieu
tenant governor Of Louisiana. He
was elected. or rater declared elected,
10 the United States senate frvm
Louisiana but the senate refused to
seat him. Guilty Of all sorts of ras-
cs.lity and mixed up with the shadiest
OF the very shady transactions N
Louisiana about that time, the Hon.
Pinchback left the State and took up
his residence In New York. Now he
Is being urged by prominent negroes
for position as deputy marshal in
Westchester. N. Y. and President Taft
Is asked to appoint him.
Pinchback is 72 years old. He has
been out OF politics for 80 years; and
SO far as reports go. or the lack of re-
ports. he has not been creating any
great stir upon the earth since he left
mis- native State. Their are reports 10
the effect that to, appoint a negro dep
ury marshal at Westchester would
disrupt the Republican party, as the
white Republicans would not stand
for 1t. But on the other hand severa.
negroes Of national reputation and of
still more national influence are urg-
ing the appointment as recognition
OF the rights. privileges and functions
or negroes to hold office and to be ap-
pointed by the president of the Unit
ted states. Mr.. Roosevelt. II Is recall
ed. when such question was put ND
TO him. opened his famous door of
hope;" and my! my! how little did he
Know that instead Of hope springing
out. there came instead all the sor-
rows. troubles, tribulations, hideous
monsters. from Pandora's box.