The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-03-07
WICKERSHAM TAKES UP FIGHT
Would Have Lewis Remain in Bar
Association.

w
by the executive committee of the
American Bar Association to GUST
William H. Lewis, a negro and an
assistant Attorney General of the
United States, from membership in
the bar association, has aroused At
torney General Wickersham to the
defence of his assistant. In a spirited
letter sent to each of the 4,700 men,
bers of the association, the attorney
general charges the executive COM
mittee with an arrogance of power
unwarranted by the body's constitu-
ton, "in order to crafty a race pref
udice entertained by some of its
members"
The attorney general points out
that Lewis was elected after he had
been regularly nominated and invited
citation. He calls attention to the
fact that the committee, which elect
ed Lewis, went out of office and was
succeeded by another committee con-
tanning two new members. 1t was
the new committee, he adds, which
took action.
Object of Association.
"The object of the association
the attorney general continues, ''is
stated in the constitution to be to
advance the science of Jurisprudence,
promote the administration of JUS
tice, uphold the honor of the
profession of the law and encourage
cordial intercourse among the mem
bers of the American Bar"
ANY person fulfilling certain re-
quirements," Mr.. Wickersham adds,
''is eligible for mem bership."
The action of the executive COM
mittee, he declares, can hardly be
considered to tend to uphold the
honor of the profession of the law
and encourage cordial intercourse
among the members of the bar. 1t
certainly does not tend to promote
the administration of JUSTICE
Asks Members to Reply.
Mr.. Wickersham inclosed with
each letter postal card addressed
to George Whitlock, secretary of the
American bar association, protesting
against the committees action and
requesting it's revocation. He asked
every member disapproving of the
course to sign the card.
Copies of letters between the at
torney general and Secretary White
lock also accompanied Mr.. Wicker
sham's letter.
81 am especially moved to make
this protest, because Mr.. Lewis is an
assistant attorney general of the
United States, holding, as I do, the
commission of the president of the
United States, issued to him by and
with the advice and consent of the
senate 1t may be that some of the
members of the association prefer
not to have a colored man as a fel-
low member. But the constitution
of the association makes no such dis
elimination.
Believed He was White.
Mr.. Whitelock replied that none
other than a member of the white
race had ever been elected to mem
bership in the association and added
that as the committee had elected
Lewis in the belief that he was of the
white race it was felt it could not do
less than rescind it's own action in
advertently taken. The committee
had not decided, Mr.. Whitelock ad-
ded, that a negro was ineligible for
membership.
The attorney general replied that
Gin the face of such outrageous ac-
tion," he would appeal to the mem
bers.
Lewis was appointed by President
Taft last year. He has been in charge
of Indian depreciation claims in the
department of justice. Frequently he
has been a White House caller and
in attendance at the White House re-
ceptions.