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IF IT'S NEWS, IT'S IN THE BEE,
FOR THE BEE IS A NEWSPAPER.

THE BEE
WASHINGTON

VOL. XXXIII,NO. 50
WASHINGTON, D.C, SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1913

NEGRO DEMOCRACY
Chairman Underdow Explains Candi-
date for White House Stewardship.
Succeeds Bishop Walters—Defends
Democracy.

Editor of The Bee.

Your issue of May 10 contains sev-
ral references to which we beg per-
mission to reply through your valua-
ble columns.

The character of the references as
well as the nature of the subject with
which they deal causes question to
arise. One of these references has to
do with Negroes losing their places
to white men. We should like to ask
in this connection that, as a matter of
precedent among all political parties,
if appointments are not made from
the forces of a victorious partisan
system?

What is there to Negro Democracy
in the State of Georgia, and where
does the responsibility of Bishop
Walters for this State's political af-
fairs come in? What could either a
Negro or white man reasonably ex-
pect from a system for which he had
not only done nothing, but had bit-
terly opposed?

Compare, if you please, the actions
of the present administration with
that of the former in this respect, the
one acting under political pressure
the other sweeping scores of Negroes
from the tenure of their charges with-
out political pressure. Inform us,
Mr. Editor, if you know the strength
of Negro Democracy not only in the
State of Georgia, but practically the
entire South, and allow us the bene-
fit of observations based upon ques-
tions of fact, not upon criticism the
result of sensation and prejudice.

Another of these references deals
with the dismissal of Mr. Charles L.
Barnes, respecting whom The Bee
takes occasion to observe many quali-
fications and qualities of which the
colored Democracy, although con-
stantly and intimately associated with
him, have not been able to discern.

As to the relationship existing be-
tween Bishop Walters and Mr.
Barnes, as well as the efforts, it is
alleged by The Bee, the Bishop is
making on his behalf, we are at a loss
to know where The Bee could possi-
bly have gained such information.

Several instances are recalled in
which the Bishop interceded on be-
half of Mr. Barnes [?] this confidence
seems to have been abused to the ex-
tent that patience have lost its virtue.
The Democracy of the District of Co-
lumbia is unable to see how Mr.
Barnes or anyone else, however im-
portant from a political standpoint,
could reasonably expect to be re-
tained in a position with glaring and
gross neglect of duty.

We also note that The Bee would
create an impression that Bishop
Walters had severed his connection
with the Democracy and had "given
up hope."

It becomes our duty to advise that
a recent conference with the Bishop
disclosed the greatest optimism in the
colored Democracy, and full confi-
dence in the administration. We
would also say for the information of
The Bee that the resignation which
seems to be the basis of his ill-guided
reference only had to do with the lo-
cal club, and was made temporarily
persuant to the great amount of
church work at this particular sea-
son and to give greater time for the
more effective direction of national
issues which affects our race. Our
persuasion is that The Bee would
with its wholesome infiuence in mold-
ing sentiment, do not only itself but
also the Negro race at large an esti-
mable service if it would give
uable assistance to the
courageous efforts of Bi
who to my personal
mate knowledge
greatest humil
ing efforts

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