Colored Men as Appointees
October 9, 1897
Summary
President McKinley is expected to appoint multiple black men to positions of high office.
Transcription
Washington, D.C., Oct. 6 – Special – The President is appointing J.H. Bamfield, (colored) son-in-law of ex-Congressman Small, to the office of postmaster of Beaufort, S.C., turned down two white republicans who were well recommended, and who are said to be thoroughly well qualified.
It is believed that the President will on tomorrow appoint a colored postmaster of Georgetown, S.C. It is safe to say from the way things look now, that within thirty days at least six colored post masters of the presidential class will be commissioned in South Carolina.
These postmasters have from one to four clerks under them. Much indignation is expressed in Southern circles here over the settled policy of President McKinley to put colored men in high offices in the South.
It is believed that the President will on tomorrow appoint a colored postmaster of Georgetown, S.C. It is safe to say from the way things look now, that within thirty days at least six colored post masters of the presidential class will be commissioned in South Carolina.
These postmasters have from one to four clerks under them. Much indignation is expressed in Southern circles here over the settled policy of President McKinley to put colored men in high offices in the South.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Brian Schrott
Citation
“Colored Men as Appointees,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 23, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1211.