Franklin's paper the statesman., 1912-04-06

the Race In Many Sections .of the
country-Made Good When Congress
Failed to Provide.
Neutrality-suspicious. people through
out the country have been writing to
friends and officials in this city making
inquiry as to President Tafts record
in so far as it concerns the race gener-
ally. Whenever a campaign is ap-
preaching the demand for records
made in Washington increases. The
many requests being received are bur
dened with the question, "How many
colored men has Taft appointed?" and
How many colored men has Taft re-
tanned in of1ce" The average colored
man, as the average German. Jew.
Irish or whatever race, measures
presidents regard and consideration
for his race by the amount of official
representation given.
knowing how much the colored peo-
pie Of the country are interested in the
presidents record in the way of repre-
sentation given to the race, a system
attic and tedious visit to the various
departments and bureaus here dis
closes many interesting facts. Colored
men holding Office under this admins
tration are placed under two heads
first, those appointed by President Taft
and. secondly. those retained in Office
by him.
Mr. s. L. Williams of Illinois. who
holds the position of special assistant
district attorney. in charge of naturali-
zation at Chicago. by the refusal of
congress to appropriate for such posi-
tion was, at President Tafts request.
appointed assistant United States dis
trict attorney at 1000 per annum. But
for the presidents action in his case
Mr.. Williams would have been dropped
from the government service.
Made Room For Williams and Lewis.
Mr.. William H. Lewis of Massachu-
setts held a like position at Boston at
a salary Of $500. The failure of con-
gress to appropriate for naturalization
attorneys abolished his position; but
as in the case of Mr.. Williams, the pres
ident caused him to be appointed as
sistant district attorney at Boston at
the same salary formerly received,
$500. Later, as many are aware, the
president appointed Mr.. Lewis assist
ant attorney general at a salary Of
$1,000 per annum. the highest place in
the department of justice to which
member of our race has yet attained.
Upon the resignation of John G. Dancy
of North Carolina as recorder of deeds
Mr.. Henry Lincoln Johnson was ap-
pointed to succeed him at $4 900 per
annum
Mr.. Emmett ]. Scott of Alabama was
appointed one of the three commission
ers of Liberia to report upon the inter-
nal conditions and needs of that Negro
republic. This position, though. while
temporary. was one of great honor and
requiring a very high order of intelli-
gence, tact and constructive ability,
and his selection evidenced the presi-
dents confidence in the ability Of the
race to furnish equipped men for any
position.
Upon the resignation of Mr.. Lyons as
minister to Liberia DR.. w. d. Crumm
of South Carolina was appointed to the
vacancy at a salary of 5000 per an
mum.
Upon the resignation of Mr.. Ellis as
secretary of the Liberian legation Mr..
Richard @. Bundy Of Ohio was ap-
pointed to succeed him at $1,000 per
annum. at the direction of Mr.. Taft.
Captain w. T. Anderson of Ohio. chap
lain of the Tenth cavalry, was pro-
NOTED to the rank Of major at salary
of $1,000 per annum. Charles A. Cot
trill Of Ohio was appointed collector of
internal revenue for Hawaii at maxi
mum salary of $4,000 per annum.
Whitefield Mckinley of Washington
was appointed collector Of customs for
the District of Columbia at maximum
salary of 5000 per annum
Mr.. j. NJ. Alexander of California
Upon executive order was appointed
deputy collector at Los Angeles, Cal.
at $1,000 per annum. This position is
under the civil service. and in making
the executive order President Taft
specifically stated that one of the rea
sons for making the appointment on
executive order was that the colored
people of California had not adequate
representation in the government serv
ice.
Pinchback and Vernon Remembered.
Ex-Governor B. 8. Pinchback Of LOU
isiana was appointed to position in
the internal revenue service at New
York at a salary Of $40 per day and
later was covered in on the order OF
the president under the civil service.
making his position permanent and not
contingent on administration changes.
Mr.. w. 7. Vernon of Kansas was ap-
pointed at the presidents direction su
pervisor of Indian and Negro schools Of
Oklahoma. Mr.. W. d. johnson of Ken