Difference between revisions of "Roscoe Conkling Simmons"
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Once garnering fame and recognition for his skills as a journalist and orator, Simmons helped promote Washington's causes that emphasized uplifting oneself economically, in addition to seeking blacks in the South for potential enrollment into Tuskegee Institute.<ref name=biopage55/> He founded ''The Memphis Sun'', which with financial backing from Robert R. Church, Jr. beamed in business for six months in providing success stories and advice for black farmers.<ref name=biopage55/> | Once garnering fame and recognition for his skills as a journalist and orator, Simmons helped promote Washington's causes that emphasized uplifting oneself economically, in addition to seeking blacks in the South for potential enrollment into Tuskegee Institute.<ref name=biopage55/> He founded ''The Memphis Sun'', which with financial backing from Robert R. Church, Jr. beamed in business for six months in providing success stories and advice for black farmers.<ref name=biopage55/> | ||
| − | Forming a friendship with Church, the latter played a crucial role in the organization of the Church's Lincoln League that pushed for the election of black Tennesseans in [[Memphis]].<ref name=biopage55/> Although the effort was defeated by [[Jim Crow]] [[Democrats]], there were enough votes polled to appoint Church to the national GOP advisory board.<ref>''Mississippi Black History Makers'', p. 56.</ref> In addition, a newly organized Lincoln League on the national level in 1919 elected Simmons to become its first president. | + | Forming a friendship with Church, the latter played a crucial role in the organization of the Church's Lincoln League that pushed for the election of black Tennesseans in [[Memphis]].<ref name=biopage55/> Although the effort was defeated by [[Jim Crow]] [[Democrats]], there were enough votes polled to appoint Church to the national GOP advisory board.<ref name=p.56>''Mississippi Black History Makers'', p. 56.</ref> In addition, a newly organized Lincoln League on the national level in 1919 elected Simmons to become its first president. |
===Illinois GOP politics=== | ===Illinois GOP politics=== | ||
Revision as of 04:47, November 21, 2021
Roscoe Conkling Simmons, Sr. (June 20, 1881 – April 27, 1951), also known as R. C. Simmons, was a journalist, orator, and staunch Republican from Mississippi who was a leader among black-and-tan factions, pro-civil rights GOP delegations in the South. A nephew of renowned black leader Booker T. Washington, his advocacy often shared the accommodationist tones similar to that of Perry W. Howard, II.
Background
Simmons was born on June 20, 1881 to Emory Peter Simmons and the former Willie Murray. He was named after New York representative and senator Roscoe Conkling, the leader of the congressional Stalwarts who resisted civil service reform in the late 1870s out of concern for the plight of Southern blacks.
Reared in a humble environment, Simmons was sent by his uncle at the age of twelve to live with Ohio Republican senator Mark Hanna,[1] an acolyte of President William McKinley. For a period of time, he also lived with Medill McCormick, a one-term U.S. senator from Illinois.
Political career
Simmons helped campaign for Theodore Roosevelt in 1910, where his brilliance in oratory was observed among Republicans.[1] Even populist Democrat leader William Jennings Bryan commented:
| “ | Tonight's speech by young Roscoe Simmons has assured him a place among the great orators of the world. | ” |
—William Jennings Bryan, 1910 | ||
Washington, the founder of Tuskegee Institute, at one point offered Simmons a job at the university; the latter humbly declined, stating:[1]
| “ | I have been called too, to teach, but the rostrum and the public hall will be my classroom. | ” |
—Roscoe Simmons | ||
Friendship with R. R. Church
Once garnering fame and recognition for his skills as a journalist and orator, Simmons helped promote Washington's causes that emphasized uplifting oneself economically, in addition to seeking blacks in the South for potential enrollment into Tuskegee Institute.[1] He founded The Memphis Sun, which with financial backing from Robert R. Church, Jr. beamed in business for six months in providing success stories and advice for black farmers.[1]
Forming a friendship with Church, the latter played a crucial role in the organization of the Church's Lincoln League that pushed for the election of black Tennesseans in Memphis.[1] Although the effort was defeated by Jim Crow Democrats, there were enough votes polled to appoint Church to the national GOP advisory board.[2] In addition, a newly organized Lincoln League on the national level in 1919 elected Simmons to become its first president.
Illinois GOP politics
In the 1930 midterms, Simmons ran for United States House of Representatives from Illinois' 1st congressional district, challenging incumbent black Republican congressman Oscar De Priest for the party nomination. Receiving bare support from the local party organization, he finished second in a field of five candidates, he polled around 5,000 votes to De Priest's 17,103.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Sewell, George Alexander; Dwight, Margaret L. Mississippi Black History Makers, p. 55. Google Books. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ↑ Mississippi Black History Makers, p. 56.
- ↑ IL District 1 - R Primary Race - Apr 08, 1930. Our Campaigns. Retrieved November 20, 2021.