1923: Racist Whining

"White friends of C.C. Spaulding, one of the largest figures in Negro business in the country, are giving him solid support in his fight against C.C. Arnold, vice president of the Southern Tariff Association. Arnold is said to have invited Spaulding to become a member of an honorary group which would oppose movements in the present congress to enact legislation inimical to southern producers.

"After Mr. Spaulding had consented that his name might be used, and had refused an invitation to a quasi-social affair, it was learned by Arnold that Spaulding is a Negro, president of the Mechanics and Farmers Bank of this city and Raleigh; President of the North Carolina Life Insurance Company, chairman of the executive board of the National Negro Business League, and a member of the Southern Interracial Commission. In fact, it turns out that Mr. Spaulding, though a Negro, is all mixed up in money and in a first rate position to join in just such a fight as had been outlined by Arnold.

"Spaulding has admitted his willingness not to serve with the commission, but is unwilling to confess that he did anything wrong in accepting the invitation, claiming that the people he represents need just protection as organizations similar to the Southern Tariff Association afford, and meeting the declaration from Arnold that 'White and Black' do not mix in the South, with the response that they do join hands for economic, civic and welfare improvements in North Carolina.

"Arnold asserts Spaulding did wrong by not letting him know he is a Negro when he accepted the invitation to join the group 'opposed to congress.'"

~From The Dallas Express (Dallas, Tex.), December 29, 1923