Woodrow Wilson Papers Microfilm Reels

Ackd 5/19/13

[stamp] THE WHITE HOUSE MAY 19 1913 RECEIVED

May 17" 1913.

152

Hon. Joseph P. Tumulty Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

I am sending you herewith an article which I trust will interest you. If you judge that it will be of interest to President Wilson, I beg that you will call his attention to it.

Yours truly, Kelly Miller

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The Neale Publishing Company

Race Adjustment Essays on the Negro in America By Kelly Miller Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Howard University, Washington Large Octavo; $2.00, postage, 13 cents

Book News Monthly: "One finds here a less extreme and uncompromising attitude than that of Professor W. E. B. Dubois, and a larger horizon, a higher complexity of insights, than in the severer practicality of Booker Washington. Indeed, the range of subject is wide and varied. It touches history, poetry, education, labor, race characteristics, social questions and biographical illustration. The book is a real contribution to a theme much meditated by the Northern white man—but it is a contribution this time from the most intellectual negro author living."

Springfield Republican: "A strong and forceful putting of the case for the negro."

Dallas News: "The author is a cultured man, a forceful and most pleasing writer, interesting from the first sentence of the first chapter to the close of the book."

Hartford Courant: "It is wonderful that one of his race and opportunity should have the philosophical perception to analyse and exhibit the contrasts and diametrical oppositions in a complex character (Roosevelt's) so well; and it is no less wonderful that

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Race Adjustment suppressing burning wrath, the same professor applies these philosophical theories to cold facts in calm investigation of the conditions of race antagonisms in the South."

Boston Transcript: "This book of Professor Miller is from beginning to end an appeal to the reason, pure and simple, of both races. It ought to be in the hands of every serious student of the negro problem."

Louisville Courier-Journal: "One of the best written books on the race problem."

Chicago News: "The book is written with great ability, in English quite free from fault, and its logic is fairly inexorable."

Cleveland Plain-Dealer: "Professor Miller shows himself a master of an incisive style of writing and a keen logician."

San Francisco Examiner: "The writer's appeal should command universal respect and the clearness of his dispassionate reasoning should form a moving appeal to the justice and honor of his countrymen."

Now York Evening Post: "As admirable for its calmness and good temper as for its thoroughness and skill."

Independent: "There is no book which more fully and correctly represents the wishes and demands for equal recognition in civil and political rights than this volume."

Now York Sun: "For the most part, the essays are controversial, brilliantly so."

Professor Kelly Miller, a graduate of Howard University, took his post-graduate work in mathematies at Johns Hopkins, studying under the distinguished teachers, Dr. Fabian Franklin and Professor Simon Newcomb. He is now the Professor of Mathematies and Dean of the

J.P.T.-#2 May 21, 1913

Headquarters, and is a man of considerable influence in the East amongst the colored race.

I would very much like to see his suggestions complied with as far as possible.

Very sincerely yours, R. S. Hudspeth

R.S.H.

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152

425 Schiller Ave. Trenton, N. J. May 23, 1913.

Hon. Joseph P. Tumulty. Executive Department.

[stamp] ACK'D MAY 26 1913 W.F.J.

Hon. Joseph P. Tumulty, Executive Department Washington, D. C.

My dear Mr. Tumulty:—

I have been for some time answering letters of inquiry from various portions of the country from leading colored men, concerning President Woodrow Wilson as to his fairness toward the negro. Many of the letters bear the brand of an honest inquiry. These I have answered from my knowledge, of our good President, and stated as clearly as I could, that the negroes need not have any apprehension or fear that justice would not be given them in any department of the government that come under the control of the President.I have pointed out to them that there have been from time to time, things occurred in some of the states against the negro that no former President could control and that some of them are likely to occur under the present administration, but they are matters to be adjusted by the states in which they occur.

1 am just from New York where I had a talk with Fred Maore the Editor of the New York Age - I told him that the President was fair and that he should hold upon criticising the administration.

I attended the A. M. E. Conference in Delaware last week and the New York this week and the New Jersey some two weeks ago. In these conferences I advised patience and support of the administration. I want my race to see the President from the angle of Justice and if I can help along this line I intend to do so. You may say to the President that I am doing all in my power to have the colored people to stand by his administration from his great record and patritism, and that they have a friend in him who is intensely interested in their uplift to a standard of good citizenship. I write you this letter because I know that you appreciate any service that I may be able to render the administration

Very truly yours. T. W. [?]

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[stamp] THE WHITE HOUSE MAY 31 1913 RECEIVED

[stamp] ACK'D MAY 31, 1913 C.T.H.

Hon. Joseph P. Tumulty Secretary to the President, Washington, D.C.

Dear Tumulty:-

I am handing you some clippings regarding colored appointments. The Republican branch of our colored friends are hanmering away at Bishop Walters. Strife is being stirred up all over the country amongst the colored people, based uron the criticism of those who supported the democratic ticket, and their failure to secure recognition.

I trust the President will see his way clear to allot at least as much patronage to the colored race, who espoused our cause, as was given colored resublicans by the Republican Party.

1 an,

Very truly yours, R. S. Hudspeth

R.S.H.

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

THE BEE WASHINGTON

VOL. XXXIII,NO. 50 WASHINGTON, D.C, SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1913

NEGRO DEMOCRACY Chairman Underdow Explains Candidate for White House Stewardship. Succeeds Bishop Walters—Defends Democracy.

Editor of The Bee.

Your issue of May 10 contains sevral references to which we beg permission to reply through your valuable columns.

The character of the references as well as the nature of the subject with which they deal causes question to arise. One of these references has to do with Negroes losing their places to white men. We should like to ask in this connection that, as a matter of precedent among all political parties, if appointments are not made from the forces of a victorious partisan system?

What is there to Negro Democracy in the State of Georgia, and where does the responsibility of Bishop Walters for this State's political affairs come in? What could either a Negro or white man reasonably expect from a system for which he had not only done nothing, but had bitterly opposed?

Compare, if you please, the actions of the present administration with that of the former in this respect, the one acting under political pressure the other sweeping scores of Negroes from the tenure of their charges without political pressure. Inform us, Mr. Editor, if you know the strength of Negro Democracy not only in the State of Georgia, but practically the entire South, and allow us the benefit of observations based upon questions of fact, not upon criticism the result of sensation and prejudice.

Another of these references deals with the dismissal of Mr. Charles L. Barnes, respecting whom The Bee takes occasion to observe many qualifications and qualities of which the colored Democracy, although constantly and intimately associated with him, have not been able to discern.

As to the relationship existing between Bishop Walters and Mr. Barnes, as well as the efforts, it is alleged by The Bee, the Bishop is making on his behalf, we are at a loss to know where The Bee could possibly have gained such information.

Several instances are recalled in which the Bishop interceded on behalf of Mr. Barnes [?] this confidence seems to have been abused to the extent that patience have lost its virtue. The Democracy of the District of Columbia is unable to see how Mr. Barnes or anyone else, however important from a political standpoint, could reasonably expect to be retained in a position with glaring and gross neglect of duty.

We also note that The Bee would create an impression that Bishop Walters had severed his connection with the Democracy and had "given up hope."

It becomes our duty to advise that a recent conference with the Bishop disclosed the greatest optimism in the colored Democracy, and full confidence in the administration. We would also say for the information of The Bee that the resignation which seems to be the basis of his ill-guided reference only had to do with the local club, and was made temporarily

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

THE BEE WASHINGTON

VOL. XXXIII,NO. 50 WASHINGTON, D.C, SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1913

NEGRO DEMOCRACY Chairman Underdow Explains Candidate for White House Stewardship. Succeeds Bishop Walters—Defends Democracy.

Editor of The Bee.

Your issue of May 10 contains sevral references to which we beg permission to reply through your valuable columns.

The character of the references as well as the nature of the subject with which they deal causes question to arise. One of these references has to do with Negroes losing their places to white men. We should like to ask in this connection that, as a matter of precedent among all political parties, if appointments are not made from the forces of a victorious partisan system?

What is there to Negro Democracy in the State of Georgia, and where does the responsibility of Bishop Walters for this State's political affairs come in? What could either a Negro or white man reasonably expect from a system for which he had not only done nothing, but had bitterly opposed?

Compare, if you please, the actions of the present administration with that of the former in this respect, the one acting under political pressure the other sweeping scores of Negroes from the tenure of their charges without political pressure. Inform us, Mr. Editor, if you know the strength of Negro Democracy not only in the State of Georgia, but practically the entire South, and allow us the benefit of observations based upon questions of fact, not upon criticism the result of sensation and prejudice.

Another of these references deals with the dismissal of Mr. Charles L. Barnes, respecting whom The Bee takes occasion to observe many qualifications and qualities of which the colored Democracy, although constantly and intimately associated with him, have not been able to discern.

As to the relationship existing between Bishop Walters and Mr. Barnes, as well as the efforts, it is alleged by The Bee, the Bishop is making on his behalf, we are at a loss to know where The Bee could possibly have gained such information.

Several instances are recalled in which the Bishop interceded on behalf of Mr. Barnes [?] this confidence seems to have been abused to the extent that patience have lost its virtue. The Democracy of the District of Columbia is unable to see how Mr. Barnes or anyone else, however important from a political standpoint, could reasonably expect to be retained in a position with glaring and gross neglect of duty.

We also note that The Bee would create an impression that Bishop Walters had severed his connection with the Democracy and had "given up hope."

It becomes our duty to advise that a recent conference with the Bishop disclosed the greatest optimism in the colored Democracy, and full confidence in the administration. We would also say for the information of The Bee that the resignation which seems to be the basis of his ill-guided reference only had to do with the local club, and was made temporarily persuant to the great amount of church work at this particular season and to give greater time for the more effective direction of national issues which affects our race. Our persuasion is that The Bee would with its wholesome infiuence in molding sentiment, do not only itself but also the Negro race at large an estimable service if it would give uable assistance to the courageous efforts of Bi who to my personal mate knowledge greatest humil ing efforts

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[stamp] THE WHITE HOUSE JUN 18 1913 RECEIVED

6 West 134th Street, New York City, June, 18-1913.

Assagd 6/16/13

152

Hon. J.P. Tumulty, Secretary to the President Washington, D.C.

Sir:-

As Secretary of the National Colored Demoeratic League and National Organizer of the League, I feel it my duty to direct your attention to a few interesting and to us vital facts, and I am sure you will pardon the obtrusion as the facts are revealed: Bishop Alexander Walters, Presdent of the National Colored Democratic League, is about to start on a trip to the Pacific coast, and had planned to hold enroute, several open air meetings discussing matters of interest to colored democrats primarily, and the colored voters of the country generally. I need not tell you, perhaps, that owing to the fact that no public recognition of the Administration's appreciation of the colored voter has been made in the distribution of patronage; that the Bishop will find it hard to interest colored voters in the Democratic Party, and extremely difficult to encourage men to espouse our cause. I am in persoal touch with the colored leaders of democracy throughout the country, in my official capacity, and I know, Mr. Secretary that the feeling is that the Administration is indifferent toward the colored people,politically, generally, and in the matter of patronage particularly. The situation is peculiarly embarrassing to the Bishop and to us all in that we, notwithstanding the fact that colored office holders have been replaced by white men and no colored men have been appointed to any place, have continually assured the colored people that the Administration is friendly and kind ly in its attitude towards us and that the faithful are to be rewarded. The Bishop has tried to make the people feel that the Administration has not and will not close the door of hope in their faces, but they cry, and shout SHOW US! SHOW US!! SHOW US!!!

The argument they introduce to sustain their position is: That the actual vacancies in the Liberian Mission, and that in the office of the Registry of the Treasury have not as yet been filled, so we we are and have been the laughing stock of the colored people generally and the colored Republican office holder-overs particularly. It has been told me that one of the Republican hold-overs said in a public speech before a large concourse of colored people a few days ago at Yonkers N.Y. that he had no sort of faith in the Administration and could see in every line of President Wilson's face hatred of the

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2.

Negro and deep seated prejudice, and further said it made no difference to him,however he recieves his salary check every month, but we need hope for nothing good at the hands of this Administration.

You can imagine Mr. Secretary how we must have felt under such excoriating conditions, and the common talk is that if we get anything

it will be only the most servile and menial places. We are constantly being called traitors and being threatened with bodily harm, to say nothing of the vile epithets that are hurled at on every hand. I am telling you all this Mr. Secretary that you may be able to

appreciate, in a measure what we who have given the party service are having to face. I am having this heart to heart talk with you that you may know the exact situation, and help us to change the conditions. You can appreciate it as a very happy political stroke were the Bishop on his trip, which begins June 28th able to cite to the appointment of colored men to either of the vacancies mentioned if no other.

I am writing you because 1 feel that you will bring the matter to the attention of the President that he too may know of the humiliating position in which we are placed.

I need not tell you that unless some public recognition in the way of patronage is given us that it will be utterly impossible to for

us to keep the sympathy and interest of our friends and followers to

say nothing of being able to enlist men having no sympathy or interest in our cause. We are publically and frequently charged with having sold the Race into slavery and told that we ought to be beaten to death with clubs and forever despised by the colored people. When we try to show them wherein the President has been occupied with very important matters of State they come back with the argument: that the President has not been too busy to order the removal from office of colored men and replace them with white men etc.

Now I am sure if you will arrange for the Bishop to see the President before he leaves for the coast and take up this whole matter, or will make some appointment some where that he may cite to it will mean a great deal to our cause. The Democratic Party neds the colored vote in in the doubtful states Mr . Secretary.

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