Woodrow Wilson Papers Microfilm Reels

May 6/13.

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relied upon him as one of the representative colored men in the eastern states. He is a candidate for Assistant U.S. Attorney, Boston, Mass.

Rev. J. Milton Waldron, D. C. He is the moving spirit of the National Independent Political League, having Headquarters at Washington. Dr. Waldron was very active four years ago and last fall, and in close touch with me during both campaigns, and is in pretty close touch with a number of Congressmen and some of the Senators. Confidentially, he wants about the biggest office that can be secured, and while he is entitled to recognition, yet I do not think that some of the men I have referred to above would be pushed aside for him. I know he will use his considerable influence, in view of the alleged work he has done. As between the two men, Walters and Waldron, Walters is the reliable and absolutely dependable one. Waldron is very jealous of Walters, and he and his following would like to supplant him, if possible, but the

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Bishop is anxious that Mr. Waldron should be properly recognized. Waldron's name has been used in connection with the office of Collector of Customs, Georgetown, D. C.

Bishop Walters asks nothing for himself; his soul has been in the work and the victory won appears to be sufficient compensation for him, but I would suggest, that his son, Alexander Walters, Jr., be placed, say as a messenger at the White House. He is a well educated young man, good looking and of gentlemanly deportment. He was connected with the Union Trust Compay as a messenger and is thoroughly reliable. This would be a compliment to the Bishop, recognizing this young man.

Then there is another named A. H. Underdown, well known amongst the colored people in this section and the District of Columbia. He has been very active for some years in the Democratic Party and performed splendid service during the last campaign. His business is that of Steward and Chef.

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He has quite a wide reputation in that business. If he could be placed at the White House as one of the stewards, it would be recognition that would be appreciated amongst the colored people.

Now, I have been somewhat copious in my references, becuase I suppose you want the fullest information.

All of the persons above named did yeoman service in the last campaign particularly, excepting young Walters, and all are men of education.

I trust you will see that this list be given consideration as soon as possible and thereby put an end to the tremendous pressure being made by the friends of these individuals to secure them recognition.

This is the list that Bishop Walter has agreed upon after consultation with various leading colored men throughout the country. I am,

Very sincerely yours, R. S. Hudspeth

R.S.H. 83463

May 6/13.

J.P.T.-#12

P.S. I understand application has been made by William A. Tarby, of Everett, Mass., who has for over eighteen years been employed in the Boston Custom House, to be transferred from the office of Assistant Weigher and Acting Inspector to that of Inspector. Tarby is a Democrat and strongly supported President Wilson in the last campaign. Mr. Trotter, and other colored men of influence are behind Mr. Tarby, seeking this advancement. Please consider this as a request to accompany the foregoing list.

R. S. Hudspeth

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R.S.H.

City, May 7, 1913.

[stamp] THE WHITE HOUSE MAY 8 1913 RECEIVED

[stamp ] C.T.H. MAY 8 1913 ACK'D

152

Hon. J. P. Tumulty Secretary to the President

My dear Mr. Secretary:-

I hope you will pardon me for interrupting you just a little bit at this time. But I wish to send you a clipping from last week's issue of the Washington Bee, and The New York Age. These papers did all they could during the last campaign to keep the colored vote in line for the republicans. They continue to impress it in the minds of the colored brother that the democrats were his enemies and wouldn't recognize them if elected. Now they are saying they predicted that the colored Democrats would be given the cold shoulder and wouldn't 83465

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be recognized by the Wilson administration. They aim to be in time gathering up ammunition for the next Congressional election. This they will try to use in winning back the many thousand colored votes that was cast for the democratic success in 1912. They are very glad that none of us colored democrats have been given anything. But to back up the assersions I made during the campaign I sincerely hope you and our good President will surprise them ere long. Enclosed please find clipping from the Charlette (A. C.) Observer written by me during the last campaign. (Will thank you to read it and kindly return the same to me). I am, Your obedient servant. J C. Cunningham, 26 Degrees St. [N.W?]

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STILL LETTING OUT NEGRO OFFICEHOLDERS

Democratic Administration Very Busy last Week—Ralgh W. Tyler and Joseph Lee Removed— White Men Replace Them.

Special to THE NEW YORK AGE.

WASHINGTON, D. C, April 30.—Pres. ident Wilson and his cabinet broke their own record last week for removing Negroes from office Both Hon. Joseph Lee of Florida, and Hon. Ralph W Tyler, the Auditor for the Navy Department, were ousted. In each case white man was designated to take the place vacated. Thus far there seems to be no intention whatever of the President and his cabinet to appoint colored men to fill positions formerly held Negroes under the Republican administration.

The gratitude of the Democratic pa toward the Negro who voted the Democratic ticket is being exhibited now nearly every day in the nations capitol in the foregoing manner.

News reaches Washington from Atlanta that even the Negro messengers who hitherto delivered the special delivery letters and packages in the city of Atlanta are to be replaced by white messengers.

It is said that Messrs. Carr and Morton of the United Colored Democracy of New York, visited President Wilson last week and urged the anmointment of a New Yorker to the Liberian post. made vacant by the resignation of Fred R. Moore. Rumor has it that President Wilson informed his visitors that he did not intend to appoint any one to a diplomatic position who was an active applicant. 83467

IF IT'S NEWS, IT'S THE BEE, FOR THE BEE IS A NEWSPAPER

VOL. XXXIII,NO 47

[Column 1] WOODROW WILSON

EDITOR CHASE MAKES A PLEA FOR THE NEGRO. PRESIDENT NO COMMITTEE

Is There Any Hope for the Colored American? Does the Action of the Democratic Administration Hold Out Any Hope for the Negro? Negro Democrats Despondent—The Editor's Letters to President-Elect and President Wilson.

Long before the election of President Woodrow Wilson, alleged Negro Democrats and so-called independent Negro Republicans had great hopes of receiving recognition from the Democratic party and the Democratic administration in the event of the success of the Democratic party at the polls last November.

Long before the election colored independents and alleged Negro Democrats picked out the offices they wanted. Every Negro Democrat of any prominence had selected places held by Negro Republicans and many of these declared that they would succeed Negro Republicans. Candidates had their eyes planted upon some of the choice plums that were held by Negro Republicans, and many of them declared Mr. Wilson would not only appoint Negro Democrats to places held by Negro Republicans, but the President intended to give Negro Democrats two or three more additional places. Have their hopes and fond expectations been realized? Has Mr. Wilson held out any hope to the 30 per cent of the alleged Negro vote that Rev. Waldren declared that he secured for the Democratic President? Who succeeded W. H. Lewis, the Assistant Attorney General? A white Democrat. Who succeeded General Robert Smalls, the hero of the Civil War? A white Democrat. Who has been nominated to succeed Auditor Ralph W. Tyler, one of the greatest Negro journalists of the age, and the most efficient Auditor who has ever held the office? A white Democrat. Who will succeed [?] er presidential places held ?] extent.

[Column 2] ceived except the one sent by Secretary Tumulty, March 29th, sometime after the inauguration of Mr. Wilson, the following letter was sent to President Wilson:

After Inauguration.

Washington, D. C., March 29th, 1913.

Hon. Woodrow Wilson, The White House, Washington, D. C.

Dear Mr. President:

We wrote you some weeks before your inauguration asking if members of the race in whose interest this newspaper is published might be benefited by your reputed policy to recognize merit and efficiency. Mr. Tumulty replied that our letter would be brought to your attention. Further than this, we have heard nothing. Is it true, Mr. President, that color is to be the primary cause for the displacement of Negroes from office no matter how efficient, and that color will be the effectual bar to appointment to office of men whom God ceated with a darker skin than yours? There appears to be a generally accepted belief prompted by statements from those closest to you that Negro officeholders will be quickly displaced, and that the door of hope is to be closed to the race by your administration. This newspaper asks notlng at your hands for its editor and proprietor, but we do ask something for our race—simply fair consideration at your hands. We ask this because we are American citizens taxed the same rate as white citizens, and amendable to the same laws which govern the whites. We were led to believe that your high Christian character would assure us equity. We hope, Mr. President, you will give the race substantial encouragement rather than discouragement. There are ten millions of us to help make the country better. Can you give my race reason to hope, and, hoping fair representation under your administration? We trust you will deal equitably with the ten million Negroes.

Respectfully, THE WASHINGTON BEE, W. Calvin Chase, Editor and Proprietor.

Mr. Tumulty thought enough of the editor's title to acknowledge it, hence he sent the following answer to the foregoing:

THE WHITE HOUSE Washington

March 31, 1913,

My Dear Sir: Permit me to [?]

WASHINGTON

SHINGTON, D.C., SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1913

[image: Alexander Walters]

BISHOP ALEXANDER WALTERS Given up Hope 83469

the Negro Democrats who up to the present time have been given the cold shoulder by the Wilson administration. But The Bee predicted this many months ago.

HUDSPETH, Hon. Rob, S., Jersey City, N. J.

May 15. 1913.

Discusses the present status of the Jury Reform Bill; urges necessity for compronise.

Refers to a previous letter to the "colored question and expresses the belief that the appointments recommended at that time could be highly satisfactory. Desires to secure as much recognition as poesible for Jerseymen; mentions Joseph [Filoromo?] who wishes to be made Asst. to the Comissioner of Immigration at Ellis Island, Walter J. Wolski, an applicant for position in the Custom House or Internal Revenue Dept. at New York, Patrick Norton’s son who wishes a similar position to that sought by Wolski, Harry Davis, Peter James, Joseph E. Bernstein, Cornelius Ford, a candidate for Public Printer. Hopes that Frank J. McAdams, of Canden, can be given a position in the Customs or Internal Revenue Dept.

See - Hudspeth

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