Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to William J. Northen
President Roosevelt believes that former Georgia Governor Northen has been misled in his assessment of interstate commerce law regarding segregation. Had Northen read the Interstate Commerce Commission’s opinion and read the law, he would understand that he should address his queries to someone “whose duty it was to take the initiative” in appealing to the state commission. Roosevelt notes that the courts back up the law in this case. Roosevelt also notes that Judson C. Clements, a Georgian, is on the Interstate Commerce Commission and he is “simply endeavoring to stand behind the good men of the South” and that it is “foolish” for southerners to protest against the government taking notice of non-obedience of a federal statute.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1908-04-11