The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-01
TAKES UP CUOGELS
FOR NEGRO LEWIS
Acknowledgement Aroused Over
Expulsion OF Assistant From
Bar Association.
APPEALS TO MEMBERS
Writes to Each OF the 400 Pro-
testing Against Action OF
Committee

Washington, February 29.--A de-
cision by the executive committee OF
the American Bar Association to Gus,
William Fl. Lewis. n negro and AT
Assistant Attorney General or tho
United States. from membership in the
{, Bar Association. has aroused ATTORNEY.
/ General Wickersham to the defense OF
his assistant. In spirited letter sen;
to each of the 400 members OF the
association. the Attorney General
charges the executive committee with
an arrogance of power unwarranted by
the body's Constitution lin order Ia
i crafty a race prejudice entertained by
some of It's members"
The Attorney General points OUT thai
Lewis was elected after he had been
regularly nominated and invited to
join by the secretary of the associa
ton. He calls attention TO the fact
that the committee which elected Lewis
went out OF office and was succeeded
by another committee containing two
now members. It was the ne II com
nittee, lie ADDS, winch tcuk action
Quotes ObJea. of Association.
The object of the associa ton" the
Attorney General continues. lis stated
in the Constitution to be to advance
the science of Jurisprudence, promote
tho administration OF justice up.
hold the honor of the profession of the
law and encourage cordial intercourse
among the members of the American
bar"
Amy person. fulfilling certain re-
auirements." Mr., Wickcrsham adds. rs
eligible for membership"
The action of the executive com !.
mitlee,' he declares. can hardly be
considered to tend to ''u1noId the honor
or tho profession OF the law and en- :.
courage cordial intercourse among the
members OF the bar. 1t certainly does
not tend TO promote the administra-
tion of Justice
Mr.. Wickersham inclosed with each
letter postal card addressed to
George Whitelock. secretary OF the
American Bar Association protesting
against the committees action, and
requesting It's revocation. He asked
every member disappearing OF the
course to sign the card.
Copies of correspondence between
tho Attorney General and Secretary
Whitelock also accompo MED Mr.. Wick
ershams letter.
On January 81 the Acknowledgement
wrote to Mr.. Whitelock:
II am especially moved to make this
protest because Mr.. Lewis is an AS
sistant Acknowledgement OF the United
states. holding. as | do. the commits
sion of the President Of the United
States. issued TO him by ana with the
advice and consent OF tn, senate. [,
may he that some of the members OF
the association prefer not TO have a
colored man as 4 fellow member. But
the constitution of tho association
makes no such discrimination"
Action Was Inudvcrtent
Mr. Whltclock replied that none
other than member of the white
race ever had been elacted TO mem.
bershlp in the association. and added
that as the committee had elected
LeSts in the belief that he was OF tho
white race. It was felt It could not do
less than rescind its own action mad.
vertently taken. The committee had
not decided. Mr.. Whitelock added, that
nagro was Ineligible for member
ship.
The Acknowledgement stated that
'in the face OF such outrageous ac-
ton" he would appeal to the Nom.
's lev b president