Your TR Source
Magazine article supporting President Roosevelt’s appointment of William Demos Crum as Collector of the Port of Charleston and his policy of appointing African Americans to government positions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-12-06
Francis E. Leupp asks President Roosevelt to carefully consider his position on the Charleston case. To change his course at this point would risk Roosevelt’s policy toward African Americans while failing to earn him any support among Southern whites. After the emphasis Roosevelt gave that was published in newspapers, to change course would weaken Roosevelt’s standing in Leupp’s opinion.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-25
Postmaster General Payne sends Secretary to the President Cortelyou some minor suggested changes to the draft of a letter to James Adger Smyth, the Mayor of Charleston. The letter deals with the belief that “the great bulk of the colored people are not yet fit in point of character and influence to hold such positions.” He believes that the letter should be made public.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-26
J. C. Hemphill has written to President Roosevelt on why he objects to the appointment of William D. Crum as Collector of the Port of Charleston. Hemphill offers to give his opinion on any similar situation that Roosevelt asks. He also mentions that he thinks of George B. Cortelyou and the party that recently visited and hopes that they will return.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-11
J. C. Hemphill lays out his reasoning as to why William D. Crum should not be appointed Collector of the Port of Charleston. His main reasoning is racially based. Hemphill believes having a “colored man” in the position would be “obnoxious” to most businessmen. He mentions Crum’s race extensively but also mentions that Crum is not engaged in business. Hemphill suggests that a white Republican could be given the position with little problem.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-11
Mayor Smyth objects to the appointment of Dr. Crum as collector for the Port of Charleston on the basis of lack of qualifications and race. Smyth points out that Crum switched his vote at the Republican convention from James G. Blaine to Benjamin Harrison with the promise of a political office. Smyth argues that Crum does not have the business experience to handle the job. He also argues that an African American should not be in the position, especially in light of the Reconstruction era.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-10
John G. Capers is stopping at the Raleigh. He has forwarded the mailing address for William Demos Crum, an appointee for office.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-08
R. Goodwyn Rhett disapproves of the appointment of William Demos Crum as collector of the Port of Charleston. He claims that since Reconstruction, white people have been in “political bondage” and that appointing an African American to a position of office would be disastrous not only to Charleston, South Carolina, but also “to the South, and, possibly, the whole Nation.” Furthermore, such an appointment would be a “stigma” upon the white population. As such, he hopes his admiration and the admiration of the other white individuals in the area for President Roosevelt will succeed in preventing the appointment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-07
Thomas R. Waring has information that President Roosevelt is going to appoint William Demoa Crum, an African American, as the collector of customs at Charleston, South Carolina. Waring believes that such an appointment would be disastrous and asks R. Goodwyn Rhett to intercede with President Roosevelt and prevent Crum’s appointment.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-05
R. Goodwyn Rhett of Charleston, South Carolina, protests the appointment of William Demos Crum, an African American, as collector of customs in Charleston, South Carolina. He reviews the status of African Americans and the Republican Party in South Carolina and believes that the removal of African Americans from politics would be best for everyone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-11-07
Micah John Jenkins invites President Roosevelt to Charleston, South Carolina, for an “old fashioned deer hunt.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-09-29
Judge Brawley cannot recommend Micah John Jenkins for appointment as Collector of Internal Revenue for South Carolina, but suggests that Jenkins could be appointed Collector of the Port of Charleston without risk.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-06-27
Newspaper article describing President Roosevelt’s enthusiastic reception in Charleston, South Carolina. It is suggested that the antagonisms of the Civil War have finally healed.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-10
James R. Sheffield briefly discusses several political topics; including an enthusiastic immigration official, prospective judge Samuel Hitchcock, and an incident with Booker T. Washington. Sheffield mentions lunches with Joe Murray and Commissioner of Immigration William Williams. He wants to meet with President Roosevelt to discuss Hitchcock’s possible appointment and his strengths and weaknesses. Sheffield praises Roosevelt for his recent Southern tour and speech in Charleston. The Booker T. Washington incident and Tillman insult must be buried.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-12
Owen Wister is outraged that Frank R. Frost, Porcellian Club member and Spanish-American War veteran, is not being included in events surrounding President Roosevelt’s upcoming visit to Charleston, South Carolina.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-02
James Bulloch Dunwody invites President Roosevelt to Walterboro, South Carolina, during Roosevelt’s upcoming trip to Charleston. Dunwody’s father is a cousin to Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, the President’s mother.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-04-02
William Emlen Roosevelt cautions President Roosevelt about visiting Charleston, South Carolina at the risk of “receiving insult.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-03-03
Postmaster General Payne withdraws his acceptance of President Roosevelt’s invitation to travel to Charleston, South Carolina. He is not yet comfortable with his duties as Postmaster General and must continue to familiarize himself with the department’s situation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-01
Ted Roosevelt’s symptoms are favorable but the doctor has advised that President Roosevelt should not travel to Charleston as the illness could take a sudden turn for the worse or better.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-08
Senator McLaurin reports that William Demos Crum is more interested in a consulship than appointment as collector of customs at Charleston, South Carolina. Crum, an African American, would prefer a position where “his race would not be a handicap.” The appointment of George Washington Murray will be made as soon as George R. Koester takes charge.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-10-30