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At the behest of the Cohn-Kuntz faction, Gus Lehmann is tendering his name for the position of Postmaster for New Orleans. The position was also tendered to Lehmann by the Lily-White faction. He did not seek the position from either faction. Lehmann is seeking the position to help straighten matters between the two factions in his state.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-01-04
President Roosevelt rushes to stop a man wearing a long sash labeled “Lily White Republican – Motto: Exclusion of the Negro” from throwing mud at a bust of Abraham Lincoln.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-12
President Roosevelt apprises Booker T. Washington of the current political situation. The National Committee has thrown out the Williams-Clarke organization because of its association with the Lily-White movement. Roosevelt believes that this can be a political advantage.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-17
President Roosevelt writes to Henry C. Payne concerning the enclosures of four alternative planks that were brought to his attention regarding labor. Roosevelt asks Payne to review the planks and send along the enclosures to Lodge for their joint judgement. Roosevelt states that he was sorry to discover that his “friends in Louisiana” were turned down by the National Committee for their involvement in the Lily White Movement.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-17
President Roosevelt thinks that the circular Booker T. Washington enclosed is “designed to do mischief to the Republican party.” Roosevelt points out a number of things that are false, including the account of the “Lily White convention.” Roosevelt also states that it is “preposterous” to support the same Republicans in Louisiana who have “failed to accomplish one thing for the negro in the State.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-08
President Roosevelt tells Booker T. Washington that he does not think it would be wise to reappoint Walter L. Cohen and James Lewis until after the Republican National Convention meets. He has heard accusations from Francis Bennett Williams that Cohen and Lewis helped the Democrats in the last election.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-09
Privately, President Roosevelt reveals that Dallas B. Smith has aligned himself with efforts to organize the Alabama Republicans on a “lily white” basis. Roosevelt is still examining the case but Smith might need to go.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-12
Secretary of War Root is in London with the Alaska Boundary Tribunal and President Roosevelt provides updates on various events and political issues in the United States including the post office scandal, State Senator Greene, and political candidates.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-10-03
Booker T. Washington encloses a copy of the New Orleans Daily Picayune, which contains a letter he would like brought to the attention of President Roosevelt. The letter, written by Mrs. W. J. Bohan, argues against allowing children in the south to learn about Abraham Lincoln. Washington points out that Mrs. Bohan is the wife of the acting postmaster at New Orleans, who is seeking a permanent appointment, and is a member of the Lily-White Movement in the Republican Party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-07-08
The unknown author of this memorandum warns that the “lily-white movement” in Louisiana could turn the African American vote in the North against President Roosevelt. A recent resolution passed in the Louisiana Convention calls for a response: either the reappointment of Walter L. Cohen and James Lewis, two colored men, or a statement that the action of the Louisiana Convention does not reflect the views of the President.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-05
Summary of the “Lily White” takeover of the Republican Party in Louisiana. They have forced out all African American participation and declared for “white supremacy.” The previous Republican organization, led by Walter L. Cohen, have held their own convention and will send delegates to the Republican National Convention. The Equal Rights Association of Louisiana calls for Republicans to combat the lily whites.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-02
Booker T. Washington forwards newspaper clippings to Francis E. Leupp regarding the Lily-White Movement in Louisiana. Washington asks if they should be shown to President Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-05-05
The “Lily White” movement in Alabama is a Republican faction that seeks to exclude African Americans from the Republican Party. The movement caused considerable resentment and confusion but recent district conventions have seen cooperation between black and white delegates, including the selection of African American delegates to the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-04-16
Joseph O. Thompson explains his position concerning the chairmanship of the Alabama State Republican Committee. He doubts that he can afford to hold the position but will serve the party as well as he can if he is elected. He has the support of many members of the “Lily White” faction, although not because he has appointed any to office or made them any promises. Thompson will write an open letter to Alabama Republicans saying that he should not be considered as a receptive candidate for the chairmanship, unless Roosevelt directs otherwise. He also comments on the recent death of his brother, Charles W. Thompson, U.S. Congressman representing Alabama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-25
The President of the Equal Rights Association of Louisiana asks President Roosevelt to confirm if he supports the Lily White movement’s efforts to enforce white supremacy in Louisiana.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-21
Isam G. Wynn calls attention to the serious political climate in Louisiana involving the Lily White movement within the Republican Party.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-11
Edwin A. Clarke describes the background of H. Dudley Coleman, a true Republican, whose political fortunes have fallen now that the “Lily White” Republicans are in control of the party in Louisiana. Clarke hopes Shelby M. Cullom will recommend Coleman to President Roosevelt for the position of postmaster for New Orleans.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-03-05
Walter L. Cohen writes Postmaster General Payne to explain that the Louisiana Republican party is divided along race lines due to the growing influence of the “Lily Whites,” and offers to meet with Payne in Washington, D.C., to further discuss it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-29
Resolutions passed by a meeting of African American Louisiana Republicans protesting against the actions of the “Lily White” Republicans in Louisiana, particularly the denial of African American electors being represented at the convention. They call for a new convention that will properly represent all the Republicans of Louisiana and elect delegates to the Republican National Convention.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-20
African Americans of Louisiana are set to protest against the Lily White Republican platform and will send a delegation to the Republican National Convention to air their grievances.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-02-19