The Monitor
A Weekly Newspaper Devoted to the Interests of the Eight Thousand. Colored People
in Omaha and Vicinity, and to the Good of the Community
The Rev. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor
$1.50 a Year. 5c a Copy. Omaha, Nebraska, February 19, 1916 Volume I. Number 34
Momentous Political
Movement in Memphis
Memphis Citizens Take Decisive Step
in Making Use of Their Consti
tutional Privileges.
CHURCH CHOSEN AS LEADER.
Organization Well Prepared for the
Crucial Test in the Political Arena.
Met Feb. 1st.
The Negroes of Memphis, Tenn.,
were presented with one of the great
est surprises in their history Tuesday
night, Feb. 1, 1916. Remember the
date, for in all likelihood it is to be
come historic.
In times past when the Negroes
have had under contemplation mat- (
ters of importance, and have called
the people together, either one of two
things has usually happened. Either
the people have been called together
only to find out that nobody had defi
nitely thought out or wrought out be
forehand what was to be done, thus
rendering the meeting largely inef
fective; or, if a few men have had
charge of the preliminary planning,
too often they have planned so narrow
ly and with such show of personal fa
voritism that the thing planned did
not commend itself to the general
body of people when called together.
Both Mistakes Avoided.
But in the case of a meeting called
for Tuesday night, Feb. 1, at Church’s
Park, this city, both of these mistakes
were carefully avoided Somebody
had done a lot of careful thinking be-1
forehand. Everything needful for ac
tion was ready to hand. There was
nothing to be referred to some future
meeting to allow time for whipping
it into shape. It was already in shape.
The action of those who quietly had
gotten together was ideal in every
way. There was not a blemish in any
thing that had been done.
What Had Happened.
Led by Mr. R. R. Church, Jr., a
number of men had come together and
formed the Lincoln Republican Club
of Tennessee. A splendid constitu
tion had been drawn up, and a corps of
V officers had been selected. The con
stitution was so well drawn that no
objections could be found with it on
any score. Every line of it met with
general approval. The official staff
could not have been improved upon.
On Tuesday night, Feb. 1 (remember
the date, the Negroes of Memphis
were called together for the purpose
of registering their approval or dis
approval of what had been done. Ev
erything had been so well done that
not a discordant note was heard.
When members for the new organiza
tion were solicited there was a ready
response.
The Purpose of the Organization.
In a republican form of government,
where men gain office by the favor
of the people, the one means of com
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Use the Monitor to Reach the
Colored People of Nebraska.
It’s their Only Newspaper.
THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS
Rector Church of St. Philip the Deacon
Editor and Publisher The Monitor.
Something to Make You Think
Why the Difference?
(By James W. Johnson in the New York Age.)
The nomination of Louis D. Brandeis to be an Associate Justice of the Su
preme Court caused a sensation; and there are indications that his confirma
tion will meet with some opposition. Most likely he will be confirmed, but he
is sure to come in for a great deal of discussion.
In the opinion of many this action of President Wilson bears all the
marks of a political stroke. Perhaps it may so prove; but if Mr. Wilson had
in mind the advancement of his political chances, he would, in our humble
opinion, have made a far more effective stroke had he named ex-President
Taft.
But we have no intention of discussing the Brandeis nomination from a
political point of view. We do not believe the appointment will add greatly
to the President’s popularity, so we let it go at that. However, we were
struck by the following, clipped from the Washington despatch to the New
York Sun:
“A telegram was received to-day at the office of the Committee on Ju
diciary of the Senate as follows:
“ ‘We protest to the end and resent vigorously the appointment of the
Jew to the United States Supreme Court bench. We American Gentiles feel
bitter and will no longer support the President. Where he gained one Jew
he will lose 10,000 Gentiles. It is a disgrace and a shame.
“ ‘Southern Gentile Democrats.’ ”
Mr. Brandeis is not the first Jew to be appointed to high office in this
country. Jews have held important places in our diplomatic service; and
President Roosevelt appointed a Jew to a place in his cabinet. Of course, a
place on the bench of the Supreme Court is higher and more important than
any diplomatic or cabinet position, and the Brandeis appointment will there
fore be a greater shock to people of anti-Semitic sentiments than any they,
have yet experienced. It may not be necessary to add that persons in this
country who have anti-Semitic sentiments are numerous.
Nevertheless, in spite of the number of people who hate Jews, in spite of
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Prominent Ohioan
Answers Call
Civil War Veteran and Father of
Ralph Tyler Dies Surrounded
by Family.
JAM. S. TYLER ANSWERS CALL
Recites Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar”
A Few Moments Before
Life Ends.
Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 11.—James S.
Tyler, one of the oldest race men liv
ing in the state of Ohio, and father
of Ralph W. Tyler, former auditor
of the United States navy, died at his
home Wednesday, January 26, sur
rounded by his family, a few minutes
after he had recited Tennyson’s
“Crossing the Bar.” Mr. Tyler was
born in Columbus seventy-nine years
ago when this city was only a hamlet.
He was a self educated man. Despite
the fact that he never attended school
nore than a month in his life, because
he did not have the opportunity, he
was a ready writer, a most excellent
speller and grammarian, and a great
reader. He gained great prominence
in the politics of Ohio a few decades
igo. Few race men in the United
States have been so favorably known
is he and few have done so much by
example. He was a constant counsel
and was of faithful service for the
uplift of the race.
Knew McKinley Personally.
He was a personal friend of the late
President William McKinley and the
friendship began on a southern bat
tlefield. James B. Foraker, while
governor, was his personal friend and
gave him a position as capitol at
tache. Many other men of promi
nence knew him intimately and thou
sands liked him for his cheery smile
and pleasant disposition. His knowl
edge of history was unusual.
Many years ago Mr. Tyler began to
arouse the interest of members of
lis race in educational affairs and
current events by contributing the
Afro-American department of the
State Journal. Although the days of
his own schooling were less than those
embraced within one year he was a
student and man of ideals throughout
his life.
Was In Civil War.
Mr. Tyler served in the Fifth
United States colored regiment dur
ing the Civil war. At the close of the
conflict he was mustered out as a
quarter-master sergeant. For years
he was affectionately called “Cap
tain.”
He was the first colored man to be
ilected clerk in the Ohio House of
Representatives and served during
three sessions. Under Sheriff J. U.
Rickenbacker he was appointed court
bailiff.
He is survived by two daughters,
Mrs. Joseph Hardesty and Miss Ethel
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