New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-16
NEGRO LEADER QUITS
. T.R. IN BEHALF OF RACE
Smith Says Progressives Are
All Wrong on Questions
Affecting the Negro.
PERSONALITY LOSES HOLD
Wants to Hear Less About
Armageddon and More About
Appomattox - Fears
Judiciary Recall.

Declaring that he cannot support Colo
mel Roosevelt because the party which he
represents is all wrong upon the ques-
ton Of his race, Edward A. Smith, a
negro, has resigned as captain of the 18th
Election District of the 18th Assembly
District Of the Progressive party.
II can no longer support the Progress
sive party. Its candidates or the princi-
Piles which they represent" he declares
in letter written TO Francis W. Bird,
chairman Of the Progressive County Com
mittee. Il have given this matter much
thought. and came to this decision long
ago, but have been carried away by the
personality OF Colonel Roosevelt"
Smith has lived in the 18th Assembly
District for ten years, and had been L
Republican captain there before, as he
says. he was carried into the Progressive
movement by the personality OF Colonel
Roosevelt. He has much influence among
the negroes and his action Is likely TO
be followed by other designations Of me-
groes from the Progressive party.
Cue from Louisiana.
In his letter to Mr.. Bird Smith says he
did not fully realize what the attitude OF
the Progressive party to the negro race
was until he read in an account OF a
Progressive party mass meeting In the
South, published in THE Press on Sep
TENDER %. the following:
The colonel paid high tribute to Parker
during his speech. saying, II like dead
straight man who Is also dead game
man, and Parker is both" Colonel PAR
ker said: This movement means that
Louisiana shall have an opportunity 10
throw off the old incubus OF single party
government. II means that the old boyle
OF the Civil War and the negro In politics
shall be killed for all time. Colonel
Roosevelt has already stirred up more
practical workers I'm Louisiana politics
than did Bryan-more than Wilson can
ever reach"
Smith also SAYS In his letters
Colonel Parker. Mr.. Fridge, Julian
Harris AMI others OF your party leaders
in the South have all sent out circulars
addressed to the white voters only. For
instance you cannot expect any self
respecting colored man In the North to
vote for party when one OF It's Leaders,
Colonel Cecil A. Lyon, OF Texas, Colonel
Roosevelts companion across the con-
tinent, one of the campaign speakers and
chairman OF the state committee. issued
this appeal 10 the various county chair
men In behalf OF Colonel Roosevelt:
Sherman, Texas.
IT now make one last appeal TO you 10
attend your county convention Tuesday
and see that this attempt 10 again put the
negro IN control In Texas Is repudiated
Teiegraphic advices 80 far received from
other sections OF Texas indicate that
Roosevelt will carry the state. urge
upon YOU II you wish 10 do me personal
favor 10 see that your county instructs
likewise
THE main question We have 10 settle
H. whether the negro or white man Is Ia
rule Texas The thing 10 do is TO Kill
every snake you see. Some are harmless
but better tn kill them all and then there
won't be any poisonous ones left. Yours
truly. CECIL n Lyon
"A vote for tho Progressive party,
Smith adds. rs vote against my race
in tho South. which Is struggling upward
under hardshlps and such difficulties that
| would be n traitor TO vote TO help make
conditions harder for them. A good deal
has been said recently about the battle q
Armageddon. In view OF this proposi-
ton. as a colored man 7 would like 10
hear Less about Armagcddon and more
about Appomattox."
Smith says he cannot support Oscar 5.
Straus because the latter's attitude
toward the negro race at Chicago
convention was all wrong, he having
moved there to table a resolution which
would have recognized in the platform
the rights OF the negro.