Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 March 1911 — Page 1

IsJUjC' 3n^tanapnlt5 M mu* Oct*

A Weekly Newspaper Devoted to the Best Interests, of the Negroes of Indiana.

VOL. XIV NO 36.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1911.

PRICE 3 CENTS

FARMERS MEET IN SAVANNAH.

r

Georgia State College Crowded With Tillers ot the Soil.

THREE THOUSAND VISITORS.

Thirteenth Annual Conference the Largest Ever Held In the South—Experts In Agriculture Gave Timely Instruction—Wright In Thrilling Address Says Educate Your Children. By N. BARNETT DODSON. Savannah. Gn.—The thirteenth animal meeting of the Georgia farmers’ conference, recently held at the Georgla State college in Savannah, was the ’ largest of its kind ever held in the south. There were present only a few distinguished visitors from out of the state, very few professional men for the simple reason that only a few were Invited. Professor it. It. Wright, president of the state college, said that he wanted the conference to be a conference of farmers only, where all the speeches would be about farming. The only outsiders invited wefre experts. There were more than 500 bona fide farmers present, representing as many as forty counties. Some came as far as 200 miles. Counting visitors who were not farmers, there were about 3,000 in attendance. Next to the attendance of bona tide farmers the conference was great for the number of agricultural experts it brought together. Among these were: Professor D. J. Crosby, specialist in education for the United States department of education, Washington; Professor James M. Johnson, director of the Chatham County Model Farm; Miss Honor A. Littlefleld. instructor in domestic economics in Beach institute; Professor E. Gentry, United States

PBKSIDCNT K. K. WRIGHT. farm demonstrator; It. H. Thomas, former instructor iu agriculture in the Georgia State Industrial college; Mr. R. Saussy. the largest poultry farmer In southeast Georgia; Mr. J. H. Birney, who conducts a thousand acre farm in Dodge county, Ga.; Miss Helen Pendleton, secretary of the Associated Charities of Savannah, Ga.; Professor D. C. Suggs, instructor in science at the Georgia State college; Professor L. B. Thompson, secretary of the Georgia State Colored Agricultural Industrial association; Rev. J. Dortry, a leading farmer-preacher of Chatham county, Gn. The subjects discussed were ‘‘General Farming and Farm Management,” “Raising of Live Stock and Hogs,” “Dairying,” “Truck Farming.” ‘‘The Growing of Fruit Trees and Trees For Ornament,” “Buying Homes and Farm Lands,” “Home Economics,” “Cooking, Serving, Marketing and Ijiundering,” “Poultry Raising,” “Health and General Sanitation,” "Planting” and “Tuberculosis and Hookworm.” Though these subjects were discussed by experts, they were all discussed in the simplest words, with illustrations which ,the farmers understood. This was clearly shown in the experience meetings, which generally preceded and followed the lectures. These meetings gave several hundred the opporturtty to express themselves either by telling their experience or a#ing questions or both. President Wright, whose personality <was behind the whole conference, iwhich.Jie organized thirteen years ago and has gradually brought to success, delivered the opening address, which was the keynote of the conference. He said in part: W® are gathered here for the thirteenth annual farmers’ conference. We have not come for mere show, but we have come for work. And I want you all to put in two of the hardest days’ work of your lives. Here we have brought you experts who will try to help you. who will not only lecture, but will answer all questions and do what they can to help you earn Snore on you. farm. We have not come tnerely to tall . but to Instruct and inspire tone another to higher standards of work and of living. And If any man leaves here without getting renewed Inspiration to do

better work on the farm then this conference has been in vain. We want you to be better farmers; we want to tell you what the best farmers are doing on the same kind of land you use and how they do It and want you to go back to your farm and improve it. If you don’t raise but twenty bushels of corn to the acre or only a half bale of cotton and another maker forty bushels or more and a whole bale to the acre we want you to find out how he does it and why you do not do It. We want you to buy more land if you can. and we want to show you how, to pay for your home, to pay off the mortgage. And, above all, I want to say to you that you must educate your children. You are too poor to keep your children out of school. Keep them In all the time. It Is better to pay a man a dollar or $1.23 per day than to keep your boy or girl out to do your work. Not only keep him in school, but do all you can to get good teachers and to lengthen out the school term. Do this even though you have to go down in your pocket for the money. It is better to sacritice that fine buggy and put the fifty or seventy-five dollars it costs in helping to pay a good teacher and lengthen out your school term. It will pay

you better.

lii such practical words President Wright with an eloquence born cf intimate knowledge of the farmer’s life and sympathy with the farmer’s struggles discussed subject after subject— the crowded alleys of our towns, our high death rate from tuberculosis, the tendency of the farmers' boys to leave the farm. etc. He had occasion to speak several times afterward, but always in the same happy vein, and he never failed to secure the most earnest attention of ids audience. At the close of the conference several thousand packages of seed from the department of agriculture at Washington were distributed among the visiting farmers. Four years ago President Wright asked the farmers. “How can we reach a larger number of men and thus widen our influence—give me something practical?” Many things were thought over. Professor Wright saw that the people were poor, and he had no money with which to start, though he had very definitely in mind what he would do. He would have a state Negro fair—not a thing to merely make money, but to encourage the Negro farmers to exhibit their products aud thus encourage themselves

and others.

He would have not only the word of praise to those who made the best exhibits, but he would give a money premium. As he thought out his scheme it grew larger and larger, and he wondered how he might do it. The history of this first fair is worth stating in Major Wright’s own words, as it illustrates the real heroism of many of the real leaders of the race in the south. Said President Wright; “Realizing the greatness^of the scopenL of the undertaking, my'first impulse was to do as so many of our people do—that is, go north and try to get a donation. Rut the more I thought of this the more I found myself getting away from it. not that I disapprove of those who secure large donations from our good white friends, but I said that I would see what the Negro could do. so I decided to organize a corporation to undertake the work. I called together some of the leading farmers and stated my plan. Upon their approval I appointed one to start the organization. “After a few weeks he gave it up; then I delegated another with the same result, and another. Having advertised that there would be a fair, I had to keep my word, so after school closed 1 got out, and with the help of some others I got together $2,000. But there came discouragement after discouragement. In the first place, I was sick half the time. Hoke Smith, the candidate for governor, was stirring people up against the Negro, and my friends feared for the fair; then came the Atlanta riot. etc. But we held the fair and have held three others since. We have given out $30,000 as premiums to Negro farmers and Negro women for exhibits in domestic science. We have declared three dividends averaging 5% P^r cent. “We have in hand every cent of the $4,000 we have collected from th6‘ people. We have paid all our debts, and we have loaned to farmers over $1,280, and it all represents not outside help, but Negro seif help.”

Important Meetings For Clubwomen. The executive l>oard of the Pennsylvania Slate Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs will bold its annual meeting In Newcastle, Pa., on Thursday, May 18. The next annual convention of the state federation will be held In Bellefonte, Pa., in August. The sessions will be held in the A. M. E. church. Mrs. Rebecca Aldridge is president of the federation. With the cooperation of the various clubs she hopes to make the coming meeting the best in every respect of any in the history of the organization.

Confidence In Leadership Important. If the elevation of the masses of our people In the south Is to be accomplished through the individual efforts of the leaders of the race a great responsibility rests on them for proper guidance and wholesome advice. Nothing will do more to encourage and inspire the masses than confidence in those who lead the way in church, school, politics and business. It is possibly the most essential element in the material development of any race of people.

Supremacy of Federal Constitution. There need not be any undue alarm on the part of those American citizens in the various states whose civil and political rights are being curtailed for the time being. Just as sure as the anion of states could not long exist half free and half slave Just so sure Is the time swiftly approaching when the federal government will strike a deathblow to all unjust laws In the states which are In conflict with the national constitution.

TRUE REFORMERS’ EXTRA SESSION

Strong Efforts Bsing Made to Save Order From Total Failure,

RETRENCHMENT OF FORGES.

Delegates From Twenty-seven States and a Large Number of Prominent Business Men Pledge Grand Master Holmes Their Loyal Support—Commissioner Button Gives Advice. By GEORGE F. KING. Richmond. Va.—The reeent spoeial session of the Grand L’nirei! Order of True Reformers was ibe most representative one ever held by this great organization. Leading business men from over twenty-seven slates were present. It is remarkable lb note the harmony and general unison among (lie delegates to save the organization. This meeting, eoiisisiing of more than 7511 delegates, proves eonelnsively that the Negro is capable of conserving his financial interest in a legislative body. The meeting was presided over by Grand Master A \V. Holmes, who exhibited unusual ability. Colonel Joseph Hutton, commissioner of insurance of Virginia, and Isaac Davenport, bis actuary, visited the grand fountain and were received with great eclat. Their remarks were pregnant with sound advice. The colonel in part said: “1 have a great interest in you people because your organization lias doue more for the uplift of the Negro than any other fraternity

of your race.

The report of the grand master, which showed that $54.(MMi had been raised since last October and that claims were rapidly being paid throughout the country, elicited great enthusiasm mu the part of the body. The reports of Grand Worthy Secretary VV. IV Burrell revealed many facts desired by the delegates. He

PRESIDENT A. W. HOLMES. stated that In* had sounded the alarm for years about the czar-like procedure of W L. Taylor, the dethroned bead of Hie order. All reports were carefully audited by men on committees who were tinan eiers. Prominent among them were Professor R. B. McRary. Adolphus Humbles, estimated to be worth over $21HMM10; Dr James 14 Dudley, president of I he North Carolina A. and M College For Afro Americans; Dr. .1 E Dellinger. Dr John Merriweaiher. Dr W. T. Johnson and Dr. \V. F. Graham. 'I’ln* policy of tin* order is retrenchment. Salaries of several officers were reduced. The field force was reduced by declaring vacant the ottices of two deputy generals; the real estate de partmeut was abolished; the otiiees ot manager and editor of the Reformer, the official organ, were combined, and B A Graves, who was formerly man nger. was elected for said positions J. C. Newsome of Newport News. Va.. was elected attorney for the or tier. Tile delegates expressed implicit confidence in Dr. John E Merriweath er. a wealthy and conservative bus! ness and professional man of Rich mond. Va.. and lie was elected grand worthy treasurer, which position was formerly held by R. T. Hill. Intelligence and sane business judgment was supreme at this session, and the following representative people from various sections of the country were elected to the hoard: A. W Holmes. Richmond. Va.; \V. L An derson. Beaver Dam. Va.; George K Morris. Morristown. N J.: W. P Bur rell. Richmond. Va.; Mrs. Rosa Thompson. Philadelphia: Dr. John E. Merriweather. Richmond. Va.; Dr. James B Dudley and Dr. J. E. Dellinger. Greensboro. N. C.: Adolphus Humbles. Lynchburg. Va.; W. R. Griffin. Wash. Ington; Dr W. T. Johnson. Richmond. Va.; Floyd Ross. St. Louis; Leo Trent. Pittsburg, and Joseph Ward. Rich-

mond. Va.

The other officers elected were L. D. Hodge. G. W. G., Montgomery. W. Va.; II. Brown. G. W. A. G.. Annapolis. Md.: J. R. Wilson, G. W. P. G„ Danville. Va.; Mrs. M. L. Howard. G. W. R. H„ Atlanta. Ga.: M. .1. Gibson, G. W. L. G., Indianapolis, Ind.

WILLIAM H. LEWIS NAMED.

Appointed by Taft an Assistant United States Attorney General. The announcement In Washington on Tuesday, Feb. 28. that President Taft had finally nominated William Henry Lewis, the brilliant Boston lawyer, to be an assistant United States attorney general created a sensation in political circles at the capital. The first announcement of the president's intention to appoint Mr. Lewis to the said position was made previous to the election last November, but no definite steps were taken in that direction at the time, and his failure to name Mr. Lewis for the position caused much harsh criticism from the rank and file of Afro-American voters throughout the country. William Henry Lewis is one of the ablest lawyers the race has thus far produced. He was appointed an assistant United States district attorney by ex-President Roosevelt during his first administration, which position he still holds. Mr. Lewis will succeed the Hon. John G. Thompson, who recently resigned his position.

EFFECT OF ROOT’S SPEECH.

Foreshadows Plan of Campaign For 1012, Says John E. Bruce. John E. Bruce of Yonkers, N. Y.. the well known newspaper correspondent, author and politician, expresses his opinion of Senator Elihu Root’s recent speech iu the United States senate against the election of senators by popular vote of the people in the following language: “The fjifure of the Negro is beginning to look brighter. I regard Root’s warning to the south to quit its foolishness and give the Negro a fair show as :i call to arms of the good hearts in tills nation to take the field and fight for the preservation of the law and the-constitution. “The Republicans cannot come into power again except pn the Negro question. Carter and Root and Depew have already in their speeches foreshadowed what the plan of campaign will be In 1912.”

MARYLAND LEAGUE ACTIVE.

Annual Meeting to Be Held In Baltimore March 20. The Maryland Progressive league. W’bicb will hold its annual meeting at Sharon Baptist church. Baltimore. March 2b, will probably formulate a policy which will touch upon some of the tilings most vital to the interests of H*e £Sce. In tlie styl£. Delegates from nil parts of the state are expected to lie in attendance. Among Lie tilings on the tentative program for discussion are the race segregation measures, the rural schools and the improvement of the race as an economic and industrial factor. Mr. John Henry Smith, one of Baltimore’s most representative citizens, is the president of the league.

EMBARRASSING POSITION FOR SALVATION ARMY.

Southern Delegates Raise Color Question at Conference In Washington.

Race feeling which developed among the southern delegates to the Salvation Army conference held in Washington the last week in February resulted in the abandonment for the time being of the army's plans for the organization of a movement among the colored people of the United States. A storm of protest went up from the officers from the south when a northern delegate proposed that white officers be required to conduct meetings among the colored people. They virtually declared they would not assume such duties, with the result that the committee appointed at the same meeting to draft a plan for the new- w-ork was discharged before it had time to commence w-ork. Commander Evangeline Booth, head of the American Salvation Army, said before leaving for New York that if necessary a Salvation Army with colored leaders to conduct the meetings wall be organized. “We thought it better to drop the matter temporarily.” said Miss Booth, “ow-ing to the feeling among our southern officers. “They have worked amid a vast colored population for years, and 1 presume they know more about the colored people than the rest of us. 1 have no criticism to make against them. Our plans w*ere never matured. 1 think the matter was never formally discussed among us before. “There are practically no colored people engaged in Salvation Army work in this country. In India we have native officers in command, and I suppose it would be just as well, if not better, to hare colored officers here. I am confident we shpll accomplish a great deal for the general welfare.”

Operetta In Aid of Boys’ Athletic Club. The literary and social entertainment recently given by the instructors and pupils of the Indiana avenue public school In Atlantic City for the benefit of the Boys’ Athletic club was a brilliant affair. The pupils taking part in the operetta. “A Merry Company.” reflected much credit upon both themselves and their teachers.

Results of Industry and Economy. In spite of the dull times and the scarcity of money, our people continue to buy property in and outside of the city limits, says the Houston (Tex.) Freeman. Most of these are women, small wage earners, who are out in service, steadily employed as cooks, nurses, laundresses, seamstresses and the like.

LAWSON HEADS NEW MOVEMENT Emancipation Commemorative Societjf Formed In Washington.

Project Launched by Prominent Citizens In the Capital City For the Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of Freedom Embraces Many Novel Ideas and Tangible Features. By OLIVER R.ANDOLPH. Washington.—Steps looking toward the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the issuance of the emancipation proclamation were taken recently when a special committee composed of some of Washington’s representative colored citizens met in Lincoln Memorial temple, adopted plans and elected permanent officers for the carrying out of the project. Professor Jesse Lawson was elected president of the movement, Edward L. Scott secretary, ano Krv. '* u Mayle. superintendent «»f inteninriona Sunday school work anti member <»l the editorial staff of the Washington American, was appointed chairman ot the committee on publicity. Plans and Scope of the Movement. The following plans were adopted: That we create anti Incorporate a permanent organization to be known, styled and called the Emancipation Commemorative society, with perpetual existence; that the organization shall consist of a president, one vice president for each state represented In the society, a recording secretary, a corresponding secretary, a financial secretary, a treasurer and an executive committee consisting of the several chairmen of the subordinate committees— viz, committees on finance, program, printing, Invitations, speakers, music, legislation, , public comfort, publicity, decoration, art and receptions; that the society shall hold a semicentennial In 1313 commensurate with the progress of the colored people during the last fifty years, that the celebration be held in Washington in 1913, that It be national in character and that the people from all parts of the country be invited to participate in It; that the plan and scope be such as to

Bardmaker’s Meat Market. Mr. John Bardmaker, the genial proprietor of Bardmaker’s Original Cut RateMeat Market, located on the corner of West and North streets, is making some needed improvements in his meat market as well as enlarging his present quarters, so that the large trade might be handled with dispatch and satisfaction. Since opening up this cut rate meat mai ket thiee years ago, Mr. Bardmaker lias enjoyed a thriving business, and lias retained all of his old customers as well as made many hundred of new ones. His personal attention to both the buying and selling of meats assures his patrons of tlie best at the lowest prices, and with two clerks the store is unable to care for the trade. With the present improvement and a larger force tlie best of attention can be given to all patrons. Mr. Bardmaker appreciates the custom of the colored people and asks a continuance of tlie same. Give him a call.

Prof. Thomas H. Reynolds in Alabama Tlie music lovers of Birmingham, Ala., turned out en masse Monday eve to greet Prof. Thomas H. Reynolds, director of the music department of tlie A. and M. College of Normal, Ala., w ho came to this city under the auspices of “The Climbers.’’ Within tlie past few weeks several Negro artists have given recitals in thsi city, but it is sate to say that none of tliem were more cordially received and heartily enjoyed than was Professor Reynolds The professor gave selections from such masters of melody as Strauss, Brahms, Tosti and Chadwick. The song, “My Dreams,” by Tosti, was exquisitely rendered, and gave Mr. Reynolds full opportunity to display the range and technique *oi his voice. The srofessor was a student at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music less than a year ago. He is a young man yet in his twenties, is possessed of a splendid ' physivue and a winsome presence. His voice, middle register, is tenor robusto: in the upper register it isoronouncedly lyric. As he has had excel lent literary training as well as voice culture, it is safe to sav of him. “tlie best is vet to come.”

Hill Bros, Purchase Senate Theater. YOUNG COLORED MEN GAINING FOOTHOLD IN AMUSEMENT WORLD. The Senate Theater 1319 North Senate Avenue, opened and operated by Chas. Burnstein was recently purchased by James D. and Louis G. Hill proprietors of the Columbia Theater, 524 Indiana avenue, tlie reputation of which is known the city over for its clean, amusing shows, good music, excellent singing and the best of order at all times. Messrs Hill have been in tlie picture show bnsiness for sometime and are capable of giving the public the best of service and in choosing to please their patron. These young men are natural hustlers as will be show n by the rapid strides made in the business since they began about a year ago. To tlie patrons and tlie public alike, Messrs Hili are striving to please in their new location as well as the old and the best and latest shows to be obtained will be presented to the public always, with the latest illustrated songs and best music and at tlie popular price 5 cent. Thanking tlie people for their patronage and support of the past, Messers Hill invites you to call witli your family and friends to either of their two show; Tlie Columbia, 524 Indiana avenue or the Senate Theater, 1319 N. Senate avenue, and tlie same good service and courtesy of tlie past will be in evidence iu Die fuaure.

Coming Mar. 29.

UKV. W. W. MAYLE. show to the best advantage the progress of the race since emancipation: that the celebration be styled “a national Jubilee In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the issuance of the emancipation proclamation.’* Proposed Building to Be Erected. At least one building of the proposed celebration should be of a permanent structure so as to provide a place for the meeting of the annual congress. It should contain a commodious auditorium, a library containing all the works of colored authors and all of the books about colored people by whomsoever written, an industrial hall In which exhibits showing the Industry of the race might be placed, an art gallery in which could be exhibited the art of the colored people of the world, an art studio where our aspiring youths might work out their creations under proper directions and a hall of fame providing a niche for the bust or slab to the memory of Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant. John Brown, Charles Sumner, Thaddeus Stevens. William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass. Wendell Phillips, Owen Lovejoy, Joshua R. Giddlngs, Lucretip Mott, Henry Ward Beecher, Harriet Beecher Stowe. Robert Purvis, George T. Downing, John M. Langston and others.

Biddings Left Nothing to Tuskegee. The Tuskegee (Ala.) Student denies the statement which appeared recently In many papers throughout the country to the effect that the late Henry Biddings of Sioux City, la., in his will bequeathed $30,000 to the Tuskegee institute. There is no provision in Mr. Biddings’ will for Tuskegee institute, and the school often suffers from Just

such statements as this.

Carter’s Orignal Carolinian Jublilee ; Singers, singing the old Negro Melodies, plantation and Camp Meeting songs of years ago Hear them at ’ Bethel A. M. E. church, Wednesday evening MafcflU, .for ihr.hanefo of the Lincoln Hospital Training School for | Nurses. The entertainment is under tlie management of Mrs. W. Norman Curry. Tlie Original Carolinian Jubilee Singers is one of tlie oldest jubilee companies in existence. It was originally organized in 1882 and reorganized in 1891. The musicians now in tlie company have sung together for eleven consecutive years ai.d in that time have given over twenty-fourhun-dred concerts. They have a lepertoire of over three hundred songs and give a program of unusual variety. First appearance at popular prices. Admission 20 cts. Sumner League Minstrels. It will be a source of much gratification to tlie public who has learned to look forward to tlie annual minstrel of tiie Sumner League as being the one big event of tlie season to learn that this year’s performce which will take place at Tomlinson Hall, Thursday. April 20, will be given under the direction of Mr. Ben Young. The rehearsals, which have been in progress for the past three weeks, are being held behind closed doors and The Recorder is therefore unable to give to its many readers a good line on the show. But Mr. Young’s experence in theatrical affairs and his wide reputation is as a fun maker is taken as a sufficient guarantee that the coming performance will surpass anything yet given by this popular organization. Desi ite the secrecy that lias been so for maintained we promise to give to our readers in the next is sue the names of some of the well known members who will make their appearance before the footlights on

April 20.

Guests of Major Taylor Harry Fiddler and R. B. Shelton of the team Fiddler and Shelton, comedians and singers, were born in Indianapolis, as was Major Taylor. Wochester’s crack bicycle rider They were entertained by him Friday afternoon of last week at his home. 4 Hobson avenue. During the past week they have been talking over old times with Mr. Taylor.

Senator Tillman Looses His Mind.

APOSTLE OF RACE PREJUDICE

Newspapers With hold Newj Roanoke Times. One of the most pathetic and peculiar conditions in the history of the United States Senate is brought to public notice by the incident of yesterday, when Senator Tillman of South Carolina, in an attempt to pronounce a eulogy on dead fellow senators, broke down in tears. The truth is Senator Tillman’s mind is gone. 11 is to the honor of the newspaper people of the countiy that those of them informed on public affairs have known many months that tlie senator was suffering from incurable brain trouble but not one of them ever had made even the slightest allusion to it. We take the Assocsated Press Dispatch telling of his collapse to be a guarded official public indication of tlie mournful truth. Perhaps this is considered necessary because a man in Senator Tiilman’scondition and postion might do vast harm unless the facts were understood. At tlie Democratic love feast in Baltimore last month it was pitiful to see the man once so self-assertive, the man who used to sway and incite maddened crowds of sweating and muscular men, obviously and painfully trying to be his old s^lf, to keep his attention fixed, to indicate ids former understanding of what was being done and said. This is the first time, we believe, in the country that a senator mentally incapable, or fast approaching that condition, has held a seat in the tapper House. And the consideration manifested by other senators, by tlie newspaper people of ail factions and the Legislature of the Souih Carolina. is very beautiful.

“Whatsoever a man soweth thet shall he also reap.” Gal. 6-7

Tkili NECRO DISFRANCHISED

SENATOR TILLMAN IN CONGRESS—**We do our best to keep every negro In our State from voting