On November 15, 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt complained to his cabinet that he was having a hard time finding qualified candidates to appoint to government positions. Roosevelt had assumed office about two months earlier, following the death of William McKinley.
Appointments in the different departments were talked over by the President and cabinet at the regular meeting of the President's advisers today. The President philosophized to the cabinet members on the conflicting stories told him by different people as to the characters and attitudes of men who are under discussion for office, and even after appointments have been made. The President is getting heartily sick of this. He says that he can hardly make an appointment before he receives telegrams from unknown people telling him that a mistake has been made; what a bad man has been selected and what a good man the other fellow was. All this confirms the President in the view that the harder he seeks to find good men for office the more likely he is to run up against statements that are calculated to shake his confidence in selections. All this came about during the discussions of appointments when the President was talking of his earnest efforts to find only the best men for positions.
"At the White House: Matters Discussed at the Cabinet Session Today." The Evening Star (Washington, D. C.). November 15, 1901. Page 1.
Paul Laurence Dunbar lived in Washington, D. C., and had no steady employment since resigning from his position at the Library of Congress near the end of 1898. Paul visited the White House and left a book for President Roosevelt, but was unable to meet him personally. William Loeb, assistant secretary to the President, responded on stationery marked "Executive Mansion, Washington."
I am directed by the President to thank you cordially for the book you left at the White House for him, and to say that the next time you call he desires you to be sure and see him.
William Loeb to Paul Laurence Dunbar, October 14, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
Two days later, Roosevelt broke racial barriers by having dinner with Booker T. Washington at the White House. Soon afterward, newspaper reports speculated that Roosevelt might appoint an African American from Washington to the position of Recorder of Deeds. Black candidates competed with each other for the President's favor.
One, if not the meanest method has been resorted to by what some people would call representative negroes to have President Roosevelt to remove from office H. P. Cheatham. The applicant for the office is a negro politician from the state of Missouri who imagines that his political work in his state entitles him to recognition from the present administration. President Roosevelt was visited last week by a man high up in the councils of the church and he informed the President that he had certain charges to make against the recorder. The President told the churchman to put his charges in writing and sign them. President Roosevelt has informed these colored men that he didn't intend to remove Mr. Cheatham and he is thoroughly convinced that the methods resorted to are personal and degrading.
"Recorder Cheatham." The Washington Bee (Washington, D. C.). December 14, 1901. Page 1.
John C. Dancy, colored, may succeed Henry P. Cheatham as recorder of deeds of the District. The outlook is that the President will make a selection early to avoid the crush that is sure to come with a swarm of candidates. The suggestion that Mr. Cheatham might fail to be reappointed has caused the hope to many District Republicans that President Roosevelt will re-establish the recordership of deeds as strictly a local office to be filled by a Washingtonian, and will not permit it to be fought for by colored political strikers from the states. There will be several worthy local candidates for the office.
"Dancy for Recorder of Deeds." The Evening Star (Washington, D. C.). December 18, 1901. Page 1.
The day after this article was published, Paul wrote to the White House about the position of Recorder of Deeds. Roosevelt's secretary George Cortelyou replied politely but negatively.
My dear Sir: Your letter of the 19th has been received and in reply I would say that an appointment for the Office of Recorder of Deeds has already been made.
George B. Cortelyou to Paul Laurence Dunbar, December 20, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).
The position of Recorder of Deeds was given to an African American from North Carolina.
The President yesterday decided upon the appointment of John C. Dancy, colored, to be Recorder of Deeds of the District of Columbia. Senator Pritchard and a number of prominent North Carolinians called at the White House yesterday and endorsed Dancy's candidacy. The announcement of his selection was made when they left, although several men had been under consideration for the place.
"Good Places for Two Negroes. Dancy to be Recorder of Deeds." The Washington Times (Washington, D. C.). December 20, 1901. Page 4.