The Washington Bee Newspaper, November 2, 1907, Page 4

sess een hh eat Ba en a Ee HE BEE PUBLISHED AT 1109 Eye St., N. W., Washington, D. C. W. CALVIN CHASE, EDITOR. Entered at the Post Office at Washing- ton, D. C., as second-class mail matter. a child such a sum for a night} common white man wants to at-}resented her, should be congratu- school ? Let the committee and Dr. Chan- cellor Jo their duty, which society: demands. It will be remembered that when the first publicationn of this affair was made, the Editor of The Bee stated then that he had never been given an appointment in the schools, under Chancellor’s. aa- ministration; that he has defended several by vitrue of charges against (them which the law provides, he will not deny. Those persons were well known to the Superintendent, and that no appointment in the ESTABLISHED 188e. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION, .$2.00 One copy per year in advance. Six months .....s.eeesereesseseee Three months Subscription monthly .... THE BRUCE INVESTIGA> TION. Those who were present at the investigation last Thursday, Octo- ber 24th, and saw the attitude of Roscoe Conkling Bruce, when he was being tried for that libelous letter he penned to the Superin- tendent of Schools, saw a dejected and pitiful spetacle. Not once, when he was confroonted by the ac- cused, did he raise his eyes from the floor and look his accused in the face. The testimony of Mrs. Mary Syphax Gibson was dramatic, anJ when she pointed her finger in his face and cried out, “You know you told a malicious falsehood,” it al- most brought tears from the eyes of the spectators. She said that she was a widow that she had a baby child to sup- port; that had trouble with Bruce at Tuskegee, which was the motive of his attack upon her, and that she had never uttéred such a thing in her life. She emphasized the fact that she had never in her life applied for a night school, and this was corroborated by Dr. W. Bruce Evans, supervising principal of night schools, who testified that the lady never applied for a night school; but he (Dr. Evans) ap- pointed her upon the recommenda- tion of her friends, and that he knew her and knew her worth as a teacher when he appointed her; that Mr, Chase was not one of the presons who recommended her. Who is safe in our schools if this man is permitted to remain at the she head of our colored schools? , Bruce showed his malice after the lady had made a sworn affidavit by declaring that Negro lawyers were selling places in the schools, and the stand taken by the Super- intendent in stopping the sale of places was correct. The interview of both superintendents in the daily press to the effect that they would stand pat, notwithstanding the de- nials made by Mrs. Gibson and Mr. Chase, was evidence of malice for which they shall be held re- sponsible. The Superintendent, Dr, Chan- cellor, would have everybody to be- lieve, notwithstanding his denial of his speech against the colored schools, that he never uttered the words atributed to him. The evi- dence showed that the lady never asked for a night school; hence she would have no motive in saying that she paid fifty dollars for a place that she never asked for, and to which she was appointed without her knowledge, and at the time of her appointment her name was printed wrong; hence she did not know that she was the person re- ferred to in the printed list of night schoo] appointees. Arguing the question from Mr. standpoint, was his excuse to have dropped 3ruce’s sufficiént schools can be made without ‘the sanction or approval of the Super- intendent of public instruction, as he ‘wells knows, and he asserted, in the presence of witnesses that none had been made for the Editor of The Bee. Then why should he the broad and unwar- ranted charge that he and his as- sistant intend to stop the sale of have made teacherships by certain Negro law- hhe knew had made It is plain. He had been charged with having delivered a speech before the Mt. Pelasant Cit- izens whom yers, none ? Association against the col- ored schools, which was condemned in a public interview by the Editor of The Bee and in his paper. It was an effort to divert the atcen- tion of the people from the main issue which the Editor of The Bee lf Dr, Chancellor knew, as he previously stated, that cer- asserted. tain Negro lawyers were bartering places, why would he invite one of those to call and consult with him? Why would he make promises to him? Why would he make sug- gestions to him? And why would he ask one of them to do a thing that he would not do himself? If the Negro lawyers are so bad as he would have the world to believe that they address them “Dear” and subscribe himself“ Cordially yours” = “One tale is good until another is told.” OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT Just why the citizens of Wash- ington should be deprived of the right of the elective tranchise The Bee does not know. It is claimed that the District of Columbia is the best-governed city in the world. It |may be from the standpoint of the aristocracy and those who prejudic- ed a certain class of people. The people are taxed against their will, and they have no oppor- tunity of saying who shall repre- sent them. Taxation without rep- resentation is against the Consti- tution of the United States. Every citizen should be permitted to vote, no matter what his color may be or his condition, In some branches of our local government the acts of the govern- {ing power are arbitrary and unrea- sonable. Some of our local courts are tyrannical, and the rights of the citizen are disregarded. We have a government that caters tw the whims of the aristocracy; a government that denies to certain individuals those rights that are ‘guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. We have a government that permits “Jim Crow” cars to enter the capital of the nation, in which all national laws are made, and the seat of the national government. We have a government that is admired for its imaginary enforcement of laws,and where justice is a mockery. We have a government in which tyr- rany reigns supreme and officials appointed by the people permitted to abuse thdfa without restraint. We live under a government in which one class is fed upon the sub- stance of the earth and another class purues only the shadow. What we need in the District of Columbia iis “a government of, for and by the people.” When that kind of government is her j established we may hope for bet- name? Is it a crime for a person | ter times. to pay a lawyer for services ren- dered in an honorable way? The very fact that the charge is mali- cious, the lady would only receive |mon white man is around. SPANISH WAR VETERANS. You can always tell when a com- He is $1.50 per night, or $4.50 per week, | different from the high-toned white which would average $18.00 per} gentleman. person! man is too much of a gentleman to month. What heartless A thoroughbred white to himself he de- next-door neighbor for him to associate tract attention clares that his is too common ' with. So it it with a common Ne-) gro. The common white man and_ the common Negro are just alike.; There are lots of common white} men in this country and occasionally they creep into the army. By some} oversight a few common white men! crept into the Spanish War Vet- erans, and the moment they were’ admitted they imagined that they were superior to the well-bred and well-reared persons of their own It is poor white trash that give trouble in any ca- pacity. There is no color prejudice in the army. race. only the The colored Ameri- will be called upon soon enough to defend this republic. They will be needed sooner than these prejudiced whites expect. While many think and _ believe that Japan does not inten to fight this country, but just wait. The Japanese are different from colored Americans or any other national- ity. There is to be a war between America and Japan, and before it is concluded the Negro will be cans greatly in evidence and these tin soldiers connected with the Spanish War Veteran Association will be weighed in the balance and found wanting. ON THE RUN!! The animus of the letter libelling the Editor of The Beé, the truth of whose accusation was inquired into by a spe BRUCE al committee of the } Board of ucation, is beginning Roscoe Conkling , Bruce has become fr to come to light. : i ghtened over} the vile charge contained in his let- ter, and is trying to stand from un- der the crash which he knows is w follow. It is leagned that Bruce has. told Capt. James F. Oyster that he did not write the letter of his own. ac- cord, but at the request and dicta- tion of Superintendent Chancellor. This shows Bruce up in his true light. If what he says is true, he is not a man of independent judg- ment and action, but the servile and pliant tool of Dr, Chancellor, In other: words, the “Assistant Super- intendent ‘of Colored Schools is not an educator, but an errand body and slave of Dr. Chancellor. Whether Bruce wrote the letter of his own motion or at the dic- tation of Dr. Chancellor is of little consequence, except as it seems to show that Dr. Chancellor has a motive to serve which he dares not explain to the public. LATIN AND GERMAN. It is now proposed to introduce Latin and German in the seventh and eighth grades in the public schools. What has become of the | Committee on Text-Books? These} are two unnecessary studies in our public schools,especially when Eng- glish is absolutely necessary. The Bee is of the opinion that pupils in our schools are very much in need of good glish. They need practical education, What benefit is Latin and German to the seventh and eighth grade pupils A good English education is what our children need. The Board of ucation should see to it that these two studies in our school pru- gram be eliminated. Pupils have no time to be bothered with Latin and German. Some of our best and most learned men never knew the meaning of Latin and German when they went to school. THE LATE N. W. CUNEY. The attempt of Dr. McKinley, of Chicago, to prove that the late N. W. Cuney was not a Negro failed. Mrs. Maud C. Hare, the daughter of Mr. Cuney, deserves credit for her victory over her di- vorced husband in securing the cus- tody of her child. The late N.W.Cuney always rep- resented himself as a colored man, and it is to the credit of his daugh- ter, Mrs. Hare, to let the world know that she made no effort to lose her icentity with her people. The Bee congratulates you, Mrs. Hare, and her two Chicago law- yers, Messrs. Edward E. Wilson would have charged a widow with] stoop to small things. Whenever ajand S. Laing Williams, who rep- lated. RACE DISCRIMINATION. The Bee in this week's issue re- produces the special correspond- ence of Mr. John H. Paynter that appeared in the Denver (Colorado) Statesman of October 19. It is an interesting that should be read by all lovers of fair- play. It is true, as Mr. Paynter has, pictured, that colored men in the several departments of the gov- correspondence ernment are discriminated against and badly treated, simply on ac-} count of their color. Instead of getting better, conditions are -get- ting worse, and this prejudice and discrimination seem to emanate white Republican chiefs and understrappers. SENATOR CLAY ATTACKS MOR- TON. From the Progressive Era. Senator Clay, in an address before the second- and third-class postmiasters associations, recently held in Atlanta, aid some things about M. B. Morton. former postmaster at Athens, which we resent and deny. The Senator, of course, stands for re-election to the job, we believe; a majority of the people of this State feel he ought never to have had in the first place; therefore, to curry favor with the voters, he claimed all the credit for the removal of the “Negro postmaster” by convincing the Pfesident that the Negro was without the necessary char- acter. Now, no one knows so well as Sen- ator Clay that character had little or nothing to do with the removal of M. B. Morton, from the postmastership at Athens, Ga. Had Mr. Morton been a white man. with the same character and standing he now enjoys in the community, he would be postmaster today. Every fair- minded man knows that Morton was re- moved because of his color, and the fur- ther and greater reason because a white man wanted the job. That the President was imposed upon by Mr. Clay and his friends we have no doubt; but they were not deceived— they wanted the jobs, and they got them. That's why a Democratic Senator, un- der a Republican administration, can abuse and slander a man endorsed by the Republican party before a conven- tion of Democratic Federal office hold- ers. There may come a change some of these days, and the Senator may not be in a position to convince the Presi- dent that all Negroes are without the necessary character for political préfer- ment. President Roosevelt has always catered to the rebel sentiment in the South, with hope of gaining popular applause. This Democratic Senator seems to boast because he persuaded the President to remove a colored postmaster in the person of Mr. Martin. ¢ Any colored man who votes for President Roosevelt is a traitor to his race. from so-called It is an offens y matter to charge but when you have no proof then comes the rub. a € Certain appointments in the High School are to be investigated, and you will see who has been selling places. . Board of Education does not seem to know anything of the bribery charges of Dr. Chan-| cellor, let the courts take the mat- ter in charge. Since the Roscoe Conkling Bruce should relieve the Superintendent by hand- ing in his resignation. The Su- perintendent should hand in his res- ignation and relieve the Board of Sducation, * PARAGRAPHIC NEWS. (Continued from Page 1.) speaking on the streets. A remarkable criminal case has been closed in Arkansas by the death of Go- van Beard, convicted some time ago for assault on Annie Hartley. After accus- ing ther man the woman declared she had lied, but the man was held until re- leased by death. The Electrical Testing Laboratories of New York will make phometric tests of the electric. gas and naphtha street lighting. systems in the District for the purpose of seeing whether candle power and gas consumption are in accordance with the requirements of the act of Con- gress. = It is stated that an-effort will be made during the coming session of Congress to secure the enactment of law prohib-| iting, the sale of beer or liquor of any kind in this city, in any unsealed vessel unless consumed on the premises where purchased, Ps . Hallowe'en was observed “in an or-| zens who have the best interests of the derly manner in this city. “The throw-] schools at heart, However the case may be decided. . ing of flour and other indignities” were not permitted. Bulguera, a Spaniard, on a recent ar-j}ing at the beginning of the care, rival from Manila to Madrid, guera. The “venerable” old depot at New| istration of his office. Jersey avenue and C street was deserted Sunday morning after more than seventy-one years of service, to take up new quarters at the Union Station. J. E. Mellish, of Cottage Grove, Mad- ison, Wis., a farm boy. has discovered two comets this year, which have made him very prominent in the astronomical world After having been a pastor of Meth- odist churches for eight years, Rev. Richcardson Gray, of East Orange, N. J., preached his final sermon as a mem- ber of that denomination last Sunday, and will now be a Presbyterian rfinis- ter. It is said that the Independence Water and Light plant st Missouri will use oil instead of coal. The few colored pers§ns who went to see the “Clansman” last week in Aus- tin, Texas, out of curiosity. were con- yineed that the play was a disgraceful one. Mr. Charles Furlong, who died not very long ago, left $5,000 to the Alcon University for the education of the “Ne- gro” in Mississippi. WILL Ir BE REMEDIED (Continued from Page 1.) local school situation. The term has scarcely begun when charges and coua- ter-charges of the most serious nature, affecting the probity of high officials, have been filed with the Board. One result of this deplorable condi- tion is ‘the renewal of the conv’ction among many white people, that the con- trol cf the schools should again be made separate and distinct, as was the case for a great many years when George F. T. Cook, a gentleman without reproach and a scholar of rare force and ability, superintendent. Under this regime the colored schools attained a degree of efficiency and ex- cellence that has never since been equal- ed. There was not only greater har- mony, better discipline and a more gen- era] development during this period, but the evidences of friiction, growing out of racial jealousies and antagonisms, were less pronounced. A few soreheads with influence, but with no real concern for the well-being of the schools, and without considera- tion for its effects on the race, engin- ecred the change of system. as a means to the satisfaction of personal spites, the promotion of selfish interests, and for the opportunity afforded for the re- ward of their loyal friends and adher- ents. Each succeeding year has contrib- uted its quota of quarrels and conten- tions and occasionally episodes of a more serious nature have shocked the community and made necessary appeals both to the law and to the Congress. The white schools have not by any means been immune to these unfortu- nate and in some instances disgraceful occurrences, but those identified with and responsible for such conditions have also been masters of that finesse which has enabled them to refrain’ from press- ing a charge and to subordinate person- al feelings when an unyielding aggress- iveness,though it might accomplish their personal spite, would at the same time end in the dishonoring of an entire sys- tem. This quality of commendable restraint is rarely indulged in by Negroes, and is yet to be acquired by the great majority of even the most enlightened of the race. With them a fight to the finish is the rule, let the consequences be what they will, and as far reaching as they may. was 1 the incident is to be deplored, for, er of d that] Mr. Bruce in a position of so much im there are more than four thousand pris- | fluence and responsibility, to wh: ; oners in the Bulacan Province, but the} has been followed by the good y Bureau of Insular Affairs at the War pf people all over the country, it Department doubts the story of Bul-| be expected to have something ich he ister influence upon the further John H. Paynte DR. DREW DECLINED THOUSAND-DOLLAR s¢ ARY, Dr. Drew declined a salary thousand dollars a year at the church meeting of the , Cosmop: Temple Baptist Churéh, temporarily on O street between enth and Eighth street northwest last Thursday. Rey. Simon P. W. D.D., pastor, read a statement wors a sketch of the wonderful 5 from its organiz until the present time, at the and extends his hearty ¢ co-operation of both oc bers during his administration thanking them for their thoughtf: in raising his salary; but, after p ful consideration of both as a conviction and duty to de. cline the yearly salary of five thow dollars for the present. Dr. Drew the church anks fi ers and me same, he f stat- ed further that as the constitution pro- vides that when the membership shall have reached five thousand the pastor shall receive a salery of three thousand dollars*per annum, and that it would suffice. Dr. Drew is a very busy man and his services are in great demand throu out the country. He will preach special sermons next Sunday at his own church at 11 am and 8 p.n., with the covenant meeting at seven o'clock p.m. and cor at nine o'clock p.m Rev. J. Anderson Taylor will also ap pear On the programme during the week at Galbraith Church. Mrs. James H. Thomas Madge Thomas, cf 493 New York city and Mrs. James. H. Winslow, 1204 R street northw@t. They leave for James- town next week. OPPOS Oo TH TION. The National Capital was honored last week by the presence of a digr substantial and prosperous looking del- egation of colored men from the Indian erritory, who came on to lay before the President and the Attorney-Geremal the protest of their fellow-citizens against the approval of the constitution of the new State of Oklahoma. alleging that it sanctioned diserimination in the franchise and in the enjoyment of civi rights on common carriers and in p entertainment, based on color, and was in violation of the enabling act. They petitioned the President to withhold his signature and to refuse to problaim Ok- lahoma a State unti] the objectionable clauses should be eliminated. The body composed of Messrs. A. G. W. Sango, merchant; Archie V. Jones and W. H. Twine, attorneys at law, th ter editor of the Muscogee Cimeter; J- A. Roper, real estate dealer; J. W. Si mons, William Bradford and S. A. Bell, merchants and cotton planters, The President received them cordially and it was evident that their earnest and eloquent presentation of their caus¢ made a deep impression upon him. He reserved his decision at the time, but later reports indicate that he will sign the constitution, because of the p mount importance of Statehood. It {s an open secret. nevertheless, that he does not endorse the disfranchising pro- visions,and may make his attitude clear- er before proclaiming Statehood on the 16th of November. The delegation was introduced by Register Vernon. While in the city the Indian T delegation was the recipient of numer- munion and Miss venth avenue, are the guests of Mr. CONSTITU- was But a few days ago Superintendent} ous social courtesies, conspicuous apors Chancellor is reported to have said that “the colored schools per se, and the con- stant agitation and presenting of charges and counter-charges in the said schools was a detriment to the entire school system, and delayed or prevented many improvements or reforms which might properly be adopted in the white schools. The superintedent doubtless voiced the sentiment of a considerable number of the white citizens of the District, and it is thought that the Congress will be again asked to take a hand and make an investigation with a view of separat- ing the white and colored school sys- tems, Recently Assistant - Superintendent Bruce addressed a letter to Mr. Chan- cellor, charging Attorney W. Calvin Chase, editor of the Washington Bee, with accepting a fee for obtaining a po- sition yor a public school teacher. It is understood that Mr. Chase in- dignantly resents this charge, and in a communication to the Board of Educa- tion presents an affidavit from the teach- er in question which seems to materially aid his vindication. In retaliation Mr. Board to relieve Mr. Bruce of his po- sition for uttering such a libel against himself. And so the merry war goes on, much to the regret of all good citi- Chase asks the! them the dinner on Thursday ey by Register and Mrs, W. T. Verno their T street residence, Le Droit P: and the luncheon and reception by Arc itect and Mrs. J. A. Lankford residence, 1210 V street, Friday evem'né Among those present at the latter func- tion were Mr. Fred R. Moore, editor the New York Age and Colored Amer- ican Magazine; Mr. and Mrs. W I Houston, Mr. and Mys. H. P. Slaugh- ter, Mr. and Mrs. R: W Thor Mr and Mrs. J. L. Neill. Mrs . Scott, Mrs. Ada Matthews, Mr. W L. Pollard, Mr. A. E. Lankford; Mrs Davis, of Detroit; Mrs. Carrie W. ford, of Cleveland, Ohio, Ohio; Wil! Stewart of Philadelphia; Miss ! Young, of Memphis, Tenn.; Mrs. | Nooks, of Wilberforce, Ohio; W. } Brown. of Newport News Va The visitors were highly pleased ig Washington and its people, and are s# isfied that their trip has been a succe* Statehood of Ok C0 even though the homa under it present constitution not be prevented. Mr. W. P. Stewart, of Philad who has been visiting our city f past two weeks. has returned While here he was entertained by Dr Harris and wife, of South Washingt: ia, th un Don't ased in Young e appre F<, the t She now. | Miss } tain 1 Mr. V nesday as mai on, Thi fa dis Ex-R B,, the | eaboar Vork Rev. Ine Co reache ally of it thre hild Jeath” ermon aised y se as ot Last lience his eff scth 1 ere | fessor choirs le B Drew, and ff Mr Va., ical d I to th Mi ried last | Mrs The m th M retuy M Phil to f dr th fri W pr