The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-05-25


unanimity on the part Of the press
OF this city if Phil Waters Is not
made Envoy Extraordinary and Min
lister Plenipotentiary TO Haiti.
Upon the announcement from
washington that an effort was being
made to land Mr.. Waters by former
senators Elkins and Scott and Sem
ators chiffon and Watson and the
entire congressional delegation, the
Charleston Mail (White Republican,
ran a cut Of West Virginia's candi-
date above the following commitment
tary notice:
The whole congressional delega-
ton has requested the President to
appoint Phil Waters as minister to
Hayti to sueceed-~Dr. Henry Furniss,
who has resigned. This Is the high
est salaried office held by q colored
man, paying $4,000 per annum.
Waters has national reputation as
an orator, having seconded the NOM
lnation OF every Republican COVER
nor OF this State since 1888. lie was
the first colored man in West Vlr-
ginia to hold an office and has been
employed at the State House since
1895. He was appointed by Speaker
Hanen, librarian of the House of
Delegates in 1896, and was CORPORA
tion clerk under Secretary Of State
Dawson for six years; United States
deputy marshal, clerk Of the finance
committee Of the city council, clerk
OF the finance committees Of the
Senate and House Of Delegates and
ls now assistant clerk OF the State
Appellate Court
lie has been a delegate to two
national Republican conventions and
& member Of the Third congressional
district committee for twelve years.
Although a Republican and a colored
man he has the unique distinction
or haVlng been the secretary Of O.
Democratic senatorial caucus, posi-
ely the first and only time in the
history Of American politics such an
honor has been given any man Of
opposite political faith. Waters is
a graduate Of the University OF
Michigan and while a student there
CAPTURED two first prizes in oratori-
cal contests and was the first colored
man to play on the college athletic
team, being the star outfelder for
three -years.--The- President could
not appoint more competent, gen
ial and deserving colored man than
Phil Waters anu we trust he may
obtain the appointment.
The following day, Wednesday,
The Gazette, (wlhite Democratic)
editOrially under the caption, "The
next Minister to Haiti" said:
"The news that comes from Wash
ington that the den; ocratic members
Of the West Virginia delegation and
the two United States Senators from
this state, have visited the president
in behalf Of Phil Waters Of Charles
ton who is seeking the appointment
as Minister to Haiti will be q
pleasant bit Of news to the many
friends Of Phil Wa1ers, and will be
an earnest Of the fact that, among
people who are big enough, there is
no race prejudice that will prevent
West Virginians from standing for
the advancement Of West Virginia,
irrpsDective Of politfcs or Of color"
"The post Of minister to Haiti is
one which is recognized as an office
which is to be held by colored
man. This Is eminently fitting. The
United States should be represented
in the Black Republic by man of
the race Of the people to whom he is
sent. This Is true for many reasons.
The people will prefer to deal with
a man Of their own race, and the
fact that these appointments are to
he made permits Of fitting recogni-
tiCn OF the citizenship Of the best Of
our tolored population"
This post in the diplomatic ser
vice Of the nation being filed by
custom by a co1ored man, West Vir-
ginia puts forward Phil Waters as
the peer Of any man Of his race in