Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 March 1909 — FILIBUSTER BY TILLMAN WINS [ARTICLE]

FILIBUSTER BY TILLMAN WINS

Colored Appointee Sends Letter of Resignation. CRUM THANKS PRESIDENT -if Collector of Customs at Charleston, S. C., Declares He Takes Step So That Taft Won’t Be Embarrassed—Writes That He Wishes to Retire With the Executive Who Appointed Him. Speaks cf Harmony He Says Existed In Office He Conducted. Charleston, S. C., March 2. —With the resignation of Dr. William D. Crum as collector of customs at this port, to take effect March 4, a situation which threatened to cause President Elect Taft considerable embarrassment is avoided. No appointment made by President Roosevelt has given rise to more discussion than that of Dr. Crum, whose appointment was vigorously opposed because of the fact that he is a negro. Senator Tillman conducted a successful ” filibuster against his confirmation. Dr. Crum says that no pressure has been brought to bear upon him now to cause him to resign, but that he does so in part because he wishes to save Taft, for whom he entertains great respect, from any possible embarrassment as to his reappointment and chiefly because he fells that he has been especially identified with President Roosevelt’s administration and he wishes to retire with his chief. In his letter to President Roosevelt, he says: “During all these years, so far as I know, not a single charge has been brought against my moral character, or a single adverse, criticism made in regard to the performance of my official duties. I wish to further add that those employed in this office under me, composed of both races, have been at all times courteous, kind and interested, and we have all worked together to make the office work successful and satisfactory.* «