white used the power of his office to appoint several african-american postmasters across his district, with the assistance of the state's republican senator, jeter c. pritchard. they were able to make patronage hires, as did other postmasters. following the actions of north carolina democrats in 1899, who passed a suffrage amendment to the state constitution to disenfranchise blacks, white chose not to seek a third term in the 1900 elections. he told the "chicago tribune", "i cannot live in north carolina and be a man and be treated as a man." he announced plans to leave his home state and start a law practice in washington, dc at the end of his term.