"OUR RICH BLACK HERITAGE": ROSCOE C SIMMONS

During my recent research, I found out that during the "RECONSTRUCTION ERA," the Colored Men in the South who were loyal members of the Republican Party were called "The Black and Tan Faction" of the Republican Party. One of the most popular Negro members in the faction was none other than Frederick Douglass! Also, I found out that was only the half of things.The other half of the Republican Party was known as "The Lily Whites." Of course, the Lily Whites resented the Black and Tan Faction being a part of the Republican Party, and their being able to vote and hold offices in Congress. Well, I guess the White Democrats secretly resented the Black and Tans just as much! Why would I say such a thing? Well, during my research, I found out that the White Democrats & the White members of the GOP, "Grand Old Party," got together and gave the Colored Men a GOF, "Grand Old Farewell!" Yes, for "ABOUT THREE DECADES," from 1898 - 1928, no Colored Men were allowed to hold "Any office in the U.S. Congress!" Furthermore, for those who didn't know, it wasn't untill the "COLOREDS," who were by now being referred to as "NEGROES" by White People were allowed back into Congress that Negroes began joining the Democratic Party on a larger scale, than they had ever done before then! Now, on to this week's Black Pioneer. Roscoe C Simmons was born on June 20, 1881 in Greenview, Mississippi. He was the nephew of Booker T Washington's third wife, Margaret M Washington. Booker T Washington took a liking to him and when Roscoe reached the age of 12, Booker T Washington secured a job for him working as an office boy to Republican Senator Mark Hanna, a millionaire industrialist from the state of Ohio. Roscoe's job working for the Ohio Senator served as his introduction to American politics. Once Roscoe graduated from Tuskegee Normal School, he took a job as a reporter for the Pensacola Daily Press. After building up a reputation as a "savy reporter" with the Pensacola Daily Press, he was offered a position working as a reporter for the Chicago Defender. Not long after being at the Chicago Defender, Roscoe took on additional duties as editor of the paper, making him the paper 's highest paid employee! By the way, during World War l, he was selected as National Spokesman for the U.S. Military to encourage Negro patriotism during World War l. The government had him give speeches and lectures throughout the nation. It was reported that Roscoe's oratory skills were of such a high caliber that former presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan referred to him as being "one of the greatest orators in the entire world!" Furthermore, his exceptional speaking ability helped him gain significant influence within the ranks of the Black and Tan Fraction of the Colored Republicans. In the early 1900s, Roscoe played a huge part in the Republican Party's strong hold on the Negro vote ; all the way from the early 1900s, through the "Great Depression period. Finally, Roscoe was elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention 3 times, and at the National Republican Convention held in Chicago, in 1932, he "seconded the vote" to approve the nomination of Herbert Hoover to run again as the Republican candidate for President of the United States! On Saturday, April 27, 1951, a Negro by the name of Roscoe C Simmons, once referred by the Chicago Daily News as being a great "mellifluous & spellbinding orator" went home to be with the Lord.