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Blacks were solidly Republican. From 1890-1908 southern states essentially disfranchised most blacks and many poor whites through constitutional amendments and statutes creating barriers to voter registration and voting. More blacks continued to vote in border and northern states. Washington emerged as the spokesman for the black community. Republican national leaders routinely consulted with him about appointments of blacks to political positions throughout the nation.

Washington worked and socialized with many white politicians and industry leaders. He argued that the surest way for blacks eventually to gain equal social rights was to demonstrate patience, industry, thrift, and usefulness, and said that these were the key to improved conditions for African Americans in the United States. Because they had only recently been granted emancipation, he believed they could not expect too much at once.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_T._Washington