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James Sullivan Clarkson encourages and advises President Roosevelt on the treatment of African Americans in the South. He describes his experiences with the Underground Railroad and his efforts in the Post Office Department to further the cause of African Americans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-15
William G. Sterett encloses the information he found on Robert Lloyd Smith, particularly a letter describing Smith’s character from Waller Thomas Burns. Sterett cautions against the appointment of any African Americans in Texas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-12
William G. Sterett encloses information on an unnamed applicant that was requested by President Roosevelt. He is also sending some of his thoughts on the racial situation in the South. Sterett does not believe that non-Southerners can properly understand the situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-12
Booker T. Washington is concerned about rumors that George R. Koester, the revenue collector of South Carolina, participated in or approved of a lynching. If true, Washington hopes President Roosevelt will dismiss Koester. This action would indicate that lynching will not be tolerated and would encourage the African American community. Washington also discusses several potential African American appointees.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-06
R. H. Ward encloses the letter of recommendation requested by Robert Lloyd Smith. Ward is happy to recommend Smith to President Roosevelt and believes if all the “colored men” in Texas were like Smith, the “race problems” would be settled.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-26
John S. Cooper recounts a conversation he overheard that included Grover Cleveland during his presidency. Cleveland stated that he believed the improvement of the lives of African Americans was a major achievement of his administration. Cleveland’s comments made a strong impression on Cooper.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-18
J. F. Hanson comments about racial problems in the south and the relationship between the Republican Party and southern states. He believes that the southern states hold a prejudice against the Republican Party but it is important for the south and the country as a whole that the Republican Party remain in power.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-23
Robert Barnwell Roosevelt relays Robert Croker’s opinion of President Roosevelt’s dinner with Booker T. Washington. Croker believes the dinner was an excellent political move and will secure one hundred votes for every vote it lost.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-25
Richard Harding Davis supports President Roosevelt’s decision to host Booker T. Washington at the White House and describes the decision as an “act of every day civility.” The South does not realize that the Civil War is over and that the slave question has been decided.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-17
Judge Whitfield commends President Roosevelt for his actions since succeeding to the presidency, particularly his treatment of the south and his appointment of former Governor Thomas Goode Jones as District Judge in Alabama. Whitfield suggests that Roosevelt build the Nicaragua canal, select the best men for judicial openings, avoid appointing African Americans in the south, and appoint Democrats to southern positions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-08
Henry L. Holmes is believed to be the only elected African American office holder in Virginia. He has been commissioner for revenue in Alexandria County for almost twenty years.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10
Booker T. Washington has investigated the conditions in Georgia and concluded that attacks against African American office holders are based on race and not character or ability. Washington also provides advice on government appointments in Alabama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-04
Booker T. Washington reports what he knows about a certain person and his political convictions. He notes that the party voted for John M. Palmer and Simon Bolivar Buckner of the National Democratic Party in 1896, but entered the Democratic primaries in 1900 to help defeat the nomination of William Jennings Bryan. Washington suggests their friends be advised to appoint a Montgomery man to represent the “best class of white people” and to appoint William Demos Crum as internal revenue collector for South Carolina, representing the “best class of colored.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-04
This newspaper article disparages the use of political appointments to maintain control of Southern “colored delegations” for “trades and spoils” at the national Republican convention. This practice upsets white Southerners and keeps the “Solid South” behind the Democratic Party. The writer supports President Roosevelt’s decision to seek counsel from Booker T. Washington regarding southern policy. Washington has advised Roosevelt that the “old gangs” should be “turned down” and that “highly respected white men” should be appointed regardless of party lines.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-01
Booker T. Washington will have the information on Alabama and Texas appointments within a few days. He is soon leaving for a trip through Mississippi and will summarize conditions in the state. Washington defends the character of the African Americans holding public office in Georgia and believes objections brought against them will be based on race.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-01
The writer supports President Roosevelt’s consultations with Booker T. Washington regarding Southern policy and political appointments. Under Republican administrations, Southern appointments have been controlled by professional, machine politicians that do not look after the best interests of their communities. Roosevelt appears to be making an effort to alter the situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-01
On behalf of the African American citizens of Atlanta, Georgia, Austin Foy invites Vice President Roosevelt to speak at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church during his visit to the city.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-09-02
Newspaper article suggesting that Vice President Roosevelt is visiting Alabama to “make acquaintances that may be useful in 1904.” A “National Negro Leader” will guide Roosevelt during the trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901
T. R. Campbell owns and operates a mill in North Carolina that is being boycotted because he hired African American employees and treated them well. He argues in favor of better treatment, but not social equality, for African Americans. Campbell requests funding so that he can continue his work and “make a great success for Christ and the Party.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-08-24
The state convention of African American Republican voters will meet in Austin, Texas, on October 24, 1899. The convention will be comprised of one delegate for every 150 African American men.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1899-08-31