Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1924-03-22
And again:

| pie residing in and around New Or
leans. 1t also seems to have ignored
statistical information as to population
even around New Orleans, Louisiana.
and if the vote was taken upon the
basis of constitutional popui Ition, it
would be found that instead Of being
distasteful and obnoxious to a majority
of the people, he was attacked by only
Z small minority of them.
The fact is also overlooked that this
office of comptroller of customs is a
Federal position and is governed by
the people of the United States rather
than by the people in the neighborhood
of New Orleans or even within the con-
fines Of the State of Louisiana. The
coterie, to which our esteemed contem-
porary refers have white office-holders
in every position in the State of Louisi.
ana. Now that one colored man, not
Yankee Negro, but a resident, Louisi-
anian, ito the manor BORN" backed by
local recommendations, both white and
black is appointed by Massachusetts
statesman, who now occupies the White
House an effort is being made to raise
political issue.
President Coolidge could have sent to
the United States Senate resident Of
his own State, for there are numbers
of competent cOlored citizens residing
there, but he did not do this, He named
d native SOutherner, one on whom the
white Democrats can rely in any issue
between the northern section of this
country and the well-being of the
southern section in which he resides
I He would swing clear in support OF
Louisiana We are of the opinion then
that every southerner, white and color
ed, regardless of party Affiliations
should commend him for his attitude
in this matter.
Away down in their heart of
| hearts, we do not believe that the
Louisiana Senators really regret the
outcome OF the vote on the confirm4.
ton. knowing the number of Negro
haters in the State and for political
| reasons, they could not take any other
| position. The Times.Dispatch contln-
ues: n..., /
-..-.l &c. - : - -. -..ss..i
The case of Cohen probably is unique
in the annals OF presidential appoint
/ ments. He was first named comptroller
OF customs by Warren G. Harding. The
Senate declined to swallow him, as
was very proper, in view of impassIon-
ed protests from Louisiana. The Presi.
dent of the United States, in utter dis
regard OF the chorus of disapproval,
gave Cohen another recess appoint.
ment. Again the Senate refused to be
come particeps criminis. Then Cohen
offered to serve without pay. President
Coolidge defying the wishes of the peo-
pie of a great State, accepted the offer.
On Monday the Senate, by bare vote,
confirmed the appointment
We have already answered these
structures upon the appointment. IL
says further:
Thus we have the spectacle of a Ne
gro, who could not be elected to the
least important office in Louisiana by
popular vote, holding an important
post by designation of the President.
Senator Ransdell characterizes the in
sistence of the administration upon
the appointment as an outrageous pro
ceeding and out of harmony with repre-
sentative government. 1t is all that
and more, if possible. 1t is direct al
front to thousands of people, who, by
an autocratic use of power, are made
to pay the penalty for repudiating Re-
publicans. The sense of justice which
his friends have ascribed to Calvin
Coolidge apparently is temperamental
and undependabIe. If Lincoln really
DelleNeu lHlS was government OIL IQo
people. by the people. for the people, he
must have become tired during the
last few years of turning in his grave.
This was not State Office and Presi-
dent Coolidge and the Republican Off
Gals did not attempt to interfere with
local customs and usages. This is
Federal Office and one in which the
people of Louisiana are not permitted
to vote. This usually level-headed AMI
fair-minded editor must be aware that
the governing of southern States by
the so-called northern carpet-baggers
took place during the regime of a Party
that endorsed every word that Abraham
Lincoln uttered. 1t must know too
that President Calvin Coolidge did not
name carpetbagger to position as
comptroller of customs at New Orleans.
He named southerner of southerners.
He paye ono lone commemorative I'm