The Washington Bee Newspaper, June 29, 1907, Page 4

THE BER PUBLISHED AT W., Washington, 1109 Eye St. N. W. CALVIN CHASE, EDITOR. Entered at the Post Office at Wasb- cngton, D. C., as second-class mail matter. ESTABLISHED 1880. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. One copy per year in advance. .$2.00 Six months Three months Subscription monthly ....+: 20 so FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SENATOR JOSEPH BENSON FORAKER OF OHIO FOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TIMOTHY L. WOODRUFF, OF NEW YORK ASSISTANT REGISTER ADAMS. The editorial on Assistant Regis- ter Adams in the Bee last week was to a large extent based on hearsay evidence, which in the light of later information was given out for the purpose of injuring Mr. Adams, rather than presenting an accurate statement of the case. The Bee has thoroughly investi-} gated the matter and is now able to present the real facts in the matter. About eighteen months ago there appeared in the daily papers of Washington an unsigned notice in- viting all persons stamp collecting to meet and form a philatelic society. There were about thirty persons present at this meeting, and Mr. Cyrus Field Ad- ams, who had been an ardent phi- latelist for twenty-five years, was one of the number. He was well- known to many of those present, and took an active part in the or- ganization of the Washington Phi- latelic Society, and was of course charter member. In view of his long career as a philatelist and his} expert knowledge of the science, which were known to a number of | the collectors, he was elected pres- ident of the society. interested in There was no Trace question involved—it was sim- ply an organization bound together by the enthusiasm of its members for philatelic research. It is now evident that the whole controversy has been stirred up by a Soutaerner who was exceedingly angr y when he learned that the Phi- Jatelic Society had a colored presi-| dent. He gave false information to} the correspondents of several daily papers throughout the country, and to several colored men who spread the reports abroad without investi- gating the matter. These news-carriers endeavored to prove that Mr. Adams had black- balled a Mr. William H. Wilker- son, who applied for membership in the Philatelic Society, by stating that his rejection was unanimous, and therefore Mr.Adams must have voted for him. This is false. The records do not show that the rejec- tion was unanimous. Mr. J. Fin- ney Engle, the secretary of the Phi- latelic Society, in a written state-| =! pure and simple. Now the charge that Mr. Adams is “masquerading as a white man” that is scarcely worth consideration. He makes his home at a colored man’s house and his active interest in the leading colored organizations of the country is enough to prove that there is no masquerade. No man in the country has writ- ten stronger articles in defense of the race than Mr. Adams; as the editor of the Chicago Appeal he has made a name for himself as race champion. As we write we have before us one of the recent is- sues of The Appeal, which contains an entire seven-column page of as strong race editorials as ever ap- peared in any Negro paper in the United States. Mr. Adams has always been gen- erous in his conrtibutions to race enterprises, and has given both of his time and money in loyal efforts s of the people. The statement given iout ‘that the editor The Bee headed a move- ment to injure Mr. Adams is a lie, The editor of The Bee has not inspired any such movement, and a careful investiga- tion fails to discover the existence of any movement against Mr. Ad- ams. The story given to the press by the Southerner fell flat in Wash- ington; it created no excitement whatever, The Bee has known Mr. Adams for more than twenty years and has always admired him for his ability and moral worth. He has made an efficient public official, a man who says little, but works hard, and is in every way worthy of the esteem and confidence of his fellow-1yen. We are pleased that the indisput- able evidence completely .vindicates Mr. Ad made against him. ams of the false charges THE NEGRO BUSINE LEAGUE When Prof. Booker T. Wash- ington organized the Negro Busi- it presumed would have reached such} This organization is doing more to stim- ulate business interest among the colored people than any institution that has been established in recent In politics the Negro is a He has never learned the use of the ballot. He has allowed himself to follow blind- ly the leadership of certain men and parties to his own detriment. He has allowed himself to be eliminat- ed because bad white men, South, office who have ruined the business interests of the community. ored Americans South have no po- litical standing or face, even among those whose interests they have ad- vocated. The League, therefore, has been a school to col- ored Instead of col- ored Americans sleepless nights and days, receiving broken bones and cracked heads, they are now accumulating wealth, getting themselves the ness League, little wa that it magnitude in this country. years, political failure. have been elected to Today the col- Business Americans. losing making When property and good citizens. white ‘man is made to feel that he colored business man has something he wants, he will seek him. When the colored man places himself in that position in the body politic he is recognized as a good citizen. Whatever may have been the past blunders of Professor Washington, whatever may have been his mis- takes, let us be charitable and give him credit for the good that he is doing now. While he is doing some good, let The Bee make this friend- ly suggestion to him: The colored Americans will not support Presi- dent Roosevelt for the Presidency or any man named by him, and if Prof. Washington cares for the ment which The Bee has seen, says that the vote on Mr. Wilkerson | was not unanimous for rejection— a number of ballots were cast in his iavor. And Secretary Engle fur- ther says that as the vote was by ballot he can not state how any member voted, but at President,Cy- rus Field Adams, favored the ad- mission of Mr. Wilkerson, he be- lieves that Mr. Adams voted for him. Mr. Adams declares most em- phatically that he cast his ballot for Mr. Wilkerson—that ought to set- tle the matter. good will and support of the people he should not tell them to be pa- tient and support the President or Secretary Taft. Secretary Taft has blundered and he knows it. He no doubt realizes the blunders he has made in following the instructions of his Chief Executive. Secretary Taft may be such a man as Professor Washington would have the colored Americans to believe that he is, but how can we forgive him for what he has done to our brave soldiers? The ‘Prof. Washington when it believes that he is right, but it cannot see where he is right on the Taft ques- tion. body politic. Let the league take the place of past politcal blunders - made by colored Americans. Then and not until then can they hope to be what the distinguished educator! would have them be. From the business league notes that appear in The Bee this week the citizens of Topeka, Kansas, hite and colored, intend to make of the league a great will no doubt be the sful meet- that has even been held yet. ihe meeting it gTeatest and most succes The Bee wishes it success. EDITOR FORTUNE. Editor T. Thomas Fortune, of the New York Age, is one journal- ist in this country for whom The Bee has the most profound admira- The Editor Fortune because he is hon- tion and respect. See admires no matter what his faults are or may been or his after- change of opinions. He has always defended the cause of his people in way and has est, have his own peculiar changed politics to do it. The Bee reproduces Editor For- tunes leading editorial on Secre- tary Taft and the editor of The Lee, because we believe in fairplay. That is, The Bee wants its readers to read both sides. Now, if Miss Jeanes requested Secretary Taft to be one of the trustees of the fund} left to educate the Southern colored youths, neither The Bee nor any one else has anything to do with it Hence The Bee's criticism of Sec- retary Taft's appointment by Mr. Washington was unfair and The] Bee stands corrected by the editor of the Age. mitted a blunder in her bequest in Mr. ft one of the trus- Editor Fortune asks the question, rela the di$mis of the colored troops and the posi- But Miss Jeanes com- naming ees. ive to sal tion in which Secretary Taft was placed, “Would William Calvin Chase have stood by his chief or resigned from the Cabinet?” Because the chief of William Cal- vin Chase sees h—I and enters, is it any reason that he, William Cal- vin Chase, should enter also, Edi- tor Fortune? If the editor of The Bee was subjected to Editorial domination of Editor Fortune and Editor Fortune commits a wrong that will destroy him, should Edi- tor Chase go to destruction also? Yes, had Secretary Taft been Edi- tor Chase and Editor Chase Sec- Tait, Editor Chase would have resigned from the Cabinet and told his chief that he would have to travel to h—I! alone. Senator Foraker has made is hot as the infernal regions for both since the fatal order of dismissal, and the end is not yet. retary Because ODD FE SE We have noticed that there is a great fight going on among the Odd Fellows in Alabama. We have been creditably inform- ed that, underlying this trouble, there are things connected with this great confusion not very compli- mentary to the S.C. of W. Weare informed that this fight was precip- itated by a decision rendered Jast January which disregarded the rights of the officers in power to be heard, according to the laws laid down. Governing a trial in case of anj appeal to the S. C. of W., we desire to say if the S. C. of W. did as it is charged, it has certainly given dissatisfaction. Such conduct would have the appearance of partisan ac- tion . Now, if these contentions are true, who could blame the people for not submitting to a decision that disregarded their side, according to the laws? This is said to be the leading district under the American jurisdiction, paying more revenue into the SupremeTreasury than any other district. We are also inform- ed that Alabama has one of the cheapest and best endowment sys- tems in existence among the Odd Fellows of America, and pays more Let us, therefore, make the busi-' been mistaken or misled. ness league a business factor in the’ Bee neit majority of the Icdges. The lodges refuse to leave the men of their choice. This seems to us should convince the S. C. of W. that it has The Bee is for the right and will stand for We think that the poor people are being persecut- ed by the ruling class or governing s in that section of the country. You will hear more from us as we hall put ourselves to some trouble in the future to learn what the mat- We shall give it to the pub- lic just as we learn the facts, straightforward and truthfully, But we reserve the right to make such comments we feel justified in the premises. THE CHAIN GANG, Some time ago The Bee called the attention of the Honorable Commissioners of the District of Columbia to the seeming discrimi- nation that was being made at the workhouse between the white and colored prisoners who were sent from the police court to that insti- Notwithstanding the report that the superintendent of the work house has made to the Honorable District of this week’s issue of The Bee, the editor of this paper has seen wagon loads of workhouse convicts, all colored men, going to work upon the public streets. There is not a white con- vict to wagons. Not a white convict is to be seen with the colored convicts upon any truth and justice. ter is. as tution, Commissioners of the Columbia, which appears in be seen in these uf these public works. The Bee doesn’t contend that the Honorable would be ch discrimination, and ier does The Bee contend that the superintendent of the Wash- Commissioners arty to s ingon Asylum is aware that all col- rel convicts are compelled to ex- while con- kept in and around the While the superintendent denies it in his re- to it is nevertheless The under- strappers at the asylum, who make this without the knowledge of either the superin- tendent or the Commissioners of the District of Columbia. The Bee contends that the vile and vicious convicts, hoth white and colored should be made to work or the de- linquent husband the wife- beater. However,The Bee is pleas- ed that the Honorable Commission- ers have received report from the superintendent, but if they will make a personal inspection they will be convinced that no wagon load of white drawn through the public streets to be conveyed to public works, such as| digging down hills, embankments, ete. pose themselves white ts hington Asylum. Commissioners, Tact. port the a discrimination and convicts is seen CAPTAIN OYSTER. The Bee on behalf of the citizens of Washington extends its grati- tude to Capt. James F. Oyster for making a record of the position of music instructor held by Prof. J. T. Layton. There is no teacher in the public schools more competent that Prof. J. T. Layton. He won his position by merit alone and not by favoritism, as the records in two competitive examinations will show. In two cases, after he had won, others were appointed over him. There has been too much color preju dice in our schools. Prof. Layton cannot help being black. His color has nothing to do with his musical ability. Thank God Captain Oys- ter‘and many other white members of the Board of Education have no color prejudice, as The Bee has tong ago stated. In speaking of Prof. Layton, Commissioners West and Macfarland and others say that he is one of the best musical direc- tors in the city. Prof. Layton has directed the largest choruses of any director of music that has ever been in the public schools. The citizens of Washington love him. The pa- trons of our public schools believe in him. His name is 2 houseltold word in huts and hovels and pal- aces. No man has won a greater record than he has. He stands to- day pre-eminent in the estimation of musical people. There has been a conspiracy against Prof. Layton for years and every time it takes Bee is always pleased to support] money to their widows and or-|life the hand of God kills it. In this conspiracy are people who boast of their bastardy, and not their birth. The people want more men on the Board of Education like Captain Oyster. They believe in him. He can be trusted and re- lied on. Capt. Oyster, the people thank you, and at some future day an evidence of their gratitude will be manifested. AN OBJECT LESSON. The Bee desires to call to the attention of the colored members of the bar of the District of Co- lumbia a report from the wilds of Africa, otherwise Monrovia, Li- beria, where a National Bar Asso- ciation has been organized. In this black republic our former towns- man, Mr. T. McCant Stewart, sug- gested the propriety of organizing a bar association. This was done at a luncheon. The colored mem- bers of the bar in this city have been growing fat from luncheons given to them and at each luncheon a bar association was organized or suggested. The last and the best function given was by Attorney Thomas L.. Jones, at his magnifi- cent residence about two years ago. This function was fit for the gods, from which a Negro bar association was born. It was “still born.” The brains of the )guests were intoxi- cated with determination and prom- A bar association was just the thing. This was the unanimous opinion and expression. It has never met since and it will hardly meet again until there is another function. Then the members will again organize. Here at the Cap- ital of the greatest republic in the 1 } ises. world, where intelligence is sup- posed to be photographed upon the forehead of tramps, a bar associa-| tion among colored lawyers is a thing of the past and foreign to the memory of the (Negro) legal But Atrica, where civilization is growing and} where intelligence is today on par with American civilization, so far as the American Negroes are con-| cerned, there has been a Negro bar association organized, The Bee congratulates its old friend, T, McCant Stewart, and its learned and distinguished ‘friend, the Hon. F. E. R. Johnson, the at- torney general of Liberia and presi-| dent of the bar association of the republic. This is an object lesson to the local members of the bar. ADMIRAL BAIRD. The statement of Admiral Baird, president of the Board of Educa- tion, before that body at its last meeting last week, relative to the withdrawal of the charges by the; principal of the Armstrong Manual fraining School against one of his teachers was the correct view. If the teacher in question is unfit for his school as he stated in his charg- es, the teacher should not be trans- ferred to another school. If the teacher is guilty of what he has been charged, the Board of Educa- tion should remove him. Every opportunity was given the accused teacher to make the “amende hon- orable,” but of the prejudiced feel- ing of certain colored members of the Board against the principal of the Armstrong, every effort jhas been made to blacken the reputation of the principal and exonerate the accused teacher. “The Bee as well as the people will be pleased to see this matter investigated and dis- posed of one way or the other. profession. away in Admiral Baird is an honorable and upright gentleman who believes in fair play for everyone. It is un- fortunate that the principal should withdraw the charges without first consulting the president of the Board of Education and Dr. Chan- cellor. REV. WHITE. For the benefit of Rev. White, who does not seem to know the feeling of the colored people against the Administration, The Bee begs to inform him. Every sane negro in the United States is against the President and his Secretary of War. Any negro who is for either is a fit subject for St. Elizabeth. When the President dismissed those color-! ed troops he knew just what he was doing. He was catering to a South- ern rebel sentiment. Now that he has been mistaken, as Rev. White phans. As we underst whole system was orga the administration 1 of W. is trying to o still controls the aff jadmits, and if the to do the fair act, y President reinstate tho. ed soldiers? Has Rey other old folks’ bill 4 t Mr. Roosevelt to reco Congress? For the be airs | White, who doesn’t se. informed, we will state per cent of the color this country will Oppose named by President R, ery honest and inte voter, Rev. Whi President and Mr. ‘ news. The Bee pi communication bec: your poor folks’ home bosses and other praces wi demanded it. At no tir administration or th Rounds, Palmer and Ri any colored employ: cause he was colored. What do we see un ent Administration of the ment Printing Office? \y, only competent colored appointed by Mr, } Palmer, removed fr His colored help was ed; then the colored pre removed. We also see th ex-Union colored soldie We see colored wic and five children re are not over ten ¢ the Government We ask the qu mean? This done more har ericans thz administrat rem ler the ( jland. The a duty to per perform it well. ONLY ONF THERE From the administration of Joy D. Defries to the time I Oscar P. Ricketts retired fr Government Printing Ofiice, there so much prejudice and é crimination against the colored ployes as there is now? Never fore in the history of that offce the colored employe been treat with such little respect and consif eration as they are now. Whet the Public Urinter is aware of t condition of affairs in his office far as the colored employes 4 concerned as there is now, He Thomas. Benedict, a Dem Public Printer under Mr. ( land’s administration, never a man by the color of his s Promoted colored men __ SITE EDITOR From the Cleveland, Ohi That color-line charg F. S. Treasury, on Tuesday Adams, assistant reg sent out fr to the the country Tot which Washington is just W. Cah (D. C.) anon giving rise to be We do not believe ti foundation for it for other similar char inally by the same gone by. OFFICE OF THE EI LEAGUE, ATLAN1 Irvine Garland Penn, Secretary. J I! am glad to bear tes ing the character and ab L. Parks, D.D., wt for twelve yea scholarly man I have had t as well as one of the best ¢ have known in all of my exp While he was professor of theology in Gammon Theolog inary in Atlanta, Ga., he we fection of every man and w« race who knew anything abc among us, and in his int We were all pleased with Dr because his interest in the 14 of a permanent and substantial seems to me that the race c to be without Dr. Parks, especial he is so fully prepared in expe and desires to serve his Master thraugh the uplift While he is now in a great is my earnest prayer that h day be called back in so: has to do with the preparation ° young men and women for life. I have never put my han tribute of any brother wit! ine satisfaction and joy th this of Dr. Parks. (Signed) I we