Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-05-18
QUIT CAPITOL CAFE
AS NEGROES ENTER
Congressman Garner, of Texas,
Grabbed a Chair, But Ills Col
leagues Prevailed Upon Him To
Leave the Restaurant.

WASHINGTON, May 14.-Representa-
tives Sims, of Tennessee; Gambler, or
Mississippi; Stanley, of Kentuckys Gar
ner and Dies, of Texas, all Democrats.
walked Indignantly out of the restaurant
in the house Office building this noon'
when w. T. Vernon. the negro registrar
of the treasury, and a guest equally as
off color, were ushered to seats at the
table next the one Occupied by the
soC.t.c----=
The southern members were about to
lunch together and were seated at one
of the tables near a window. They had
given their orders. when Vernon and his
guest entered the door. Vernon is one or
the blacklist negroes in the whole eoun-
try, so black that his face shines. He
and his guest were ushered TO table
separated by only few feet from the
one at which the southerners were
seated.
It was not until Vernon and his guest
had been seated with the dignity becon1-
ing Vernon's rank that the presence OF
the negro was noted by the southerners-
There was no debate as to the course 10
be followed in the emergency. Each man
arose from his place, and in body they
filed out of the room, not stopping TO
cancel their orders, although Representa-
tive Garner, of Texas, at first grabbed
chair, but reconsidered his evident
rough house" purpose.
The matter was called 20 Speaker Cans
mons attention in the shape of a pro-
test. The southern representatives de-
mand to know if they are to be sub
jected to similar indignities in the fu<
ture and the speaker has agreed to give
them a hearing this afternoon.
The restaurant in the house office
building is a comparatively new institu-
ton. 1t is conducted by man named
Coffin, who has the restaurant in the
house end Of the capitol, and it is sup
posed to be patronized only by MEM
bers of congress, their clerks and guests.
vernAn was not the guest of MEM
Der, nor of a clerk, but entered the
restaurant of his own volition.
The restaurant in the house Of the cap
itol is patronized by members of con-
gress and the public. One section, how
ever, is reserved exclusively for con-
gressmen, and thus far no negro has
ever invaded. Negroes have, however,
entered the public side of the restaurant
and are served regularly and politely
The same is true of the restaurant Ia the
senate wing the capitol.
Vernon was located today and express
ed surprise at the outbreak on the part
of the southern congressman who were
opposed to eating in the diningroom OF
the House office building with him.
my presence, of which the congress-
man complained, must have been yester-
day instead of today" said Vernon.
Yesterday went to the Office building
with friend to see several members Of
the house. After transacting our busi-
ness we went to the dining room Of the
Office building, where I have been sew
eral times before with members of my
church and had lunch. I was not aware
10 ox0ff-
ing any unusual comment and ! am sor-
~ to have been the cause of any trouble
of this kind. I never have been one OF
those who insisted on going any place
where was not wanted. did not over
hear any talk about my presence, and
I am sorry was not told about 1t when
IT occurred"