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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (April 20, 1923)
The Monitor \ A NATIONAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS 01' COIXIRED AMERICANS THE REV. JOHN \l IJKliT WILLIAMS, Editor 1 £ $2.(10 a Year. ScaCopy OMAHA, NEBRASKA, FRIDAY, \PRIL 20, 1923 Whole Number 406 VOL. VII—No. 42 FLORIDA FLOGS THOUSANDS DURING THE YEAR > — FLORIDA FLOGGED . ONE THOUSAND MEN IN CONVICT CAMPS I Vast Majority of Victims of Brutal Whippings Recorded in Road Camps, Only Partial List, Negroes SOME FLOGGED FREQUENTLY Turpentine Rubbed in Coping Wounds —Heavy Strap I'sed, Moistened And Ruhhed in Sand Before ^ Applied Tallahassee, Florida, April 20—Of ficial records show 108 prisoners— ninety-three Negroes and fifteen white men—were whipped in eleven Florida road eamps in the first nine ty days of this year. This does not include those in the county camps or leased to private companies, and it is estimated that 1,000 have been whipped in all. I The reason given for the beatings 1 include stubborness, laziness, impu dence, gambling, drunkenness, at tempting to escape, disobedience, curs ing and fighting. White Boy Dies of Cruelty Special investigators for the New York World are busy here turning the light on conditions in prison camps since a North Dakota white boy died , of cruelty and exposure. It is the practice here to hire all prisoners out to private corporations as convict lab or instead, of sending them to jail or work houses. Here is a typical report sent in bv World investigators: “Meet Capt. H. H. Henderson, in k charge of the State Road Camp No. ' ) 17, Fort White. Columbia county. There are forty men in this camp on the average, month after month. 10 of them were whippet in January, February and March. ^ “In these three months he flogged two men each twice and three times each. The total whippings adminis tered in the six camps numbered 132 in ninety days. At this rate the num ber in twelve months would !>e ap proximately 525 for these six camps alone. “There are about thirtv state road camps in Florida. I asked Judge An drews, chief clerk of the Prison divis ion of the Department of Agriculture, if all of the thirty ramps do not re port monthly regarding whippings ad ministered. ‘Oh, no,’ he replied, ‘if there have been no whippings they don’t bother to send in a report.’ “In the column set off for a record of lacerations under the whip, not one entry among them acknowledged that any prisoner’s skin had been torn open, and yet almost any ‘whipping boss’ can draw blood with three or four strokes of the lash. Maximum is Ten Strokes The maximum allowed is ten stroke^, A well-to-do Florida business man informs me he has been told by convict guards in his county that they usually rub turpentine or some salty liquid upon the raw flesh they have laid bare with the leather strap, and that before flogging the prisonerthey have moistened the leather and ruh hed the roadside sand into the sur face until the thong is rough like sandpaper. A Federal official of this State tells me of one whipping boss who came from camp into town and purchased copper tacks to drive through the flat thong so their points would protrude. This was reported recently.” Can't Spell, Can Whip Commenting on the official reports of Captain C. 1,. Denmurk in charge of Baldwin camp near Jacksonville, the investigator reports: “It is interesting to observe the spelling adopted by Capt. Denmark in recording his reasons for punish ing these men. He writes ‘stubber ness’ in February, and corrects this to ‘stubborness’ in March. He spells ‘impudence’ as ‘eipudence,’ and else where refers to some offense which he spells ‘draging.’ But his literacy is far higher than that of other con vict captains. Capt. Hillard, for ex ample, who writes ‘lazziness’ and ‘im pidunce,’ or Capt. O. S. Hammond of the camp at Cleveland, Fla., who writes ‘luzness,’ ‘lazzness,’ and ‘im pendence,’ or Capt. H. H. Henderson of the Fort White camp, who writes ‘temp to escape,’ ‘disabedence’ and disibedence.’ "Most of these guards are hired at J30 a month. Their spelling may not be good, but their whipping arms are.” GEORGE SMITH DIES SUDDENLY Rev. M. H. Wilkinson, state mis sionary, was called from South Sioux City, Nebr., to officiate at the funeral service of Geo. Smith, who died sud denly last Thursday. Rev. Mr. Wil kinson was the pastor under whom he was converted and afterwards mar ried by him. The funeral was held at the Mt. Moriah Baptist church of j which Rev. Dr. E. H. McDonald is the pastor. There was not standing room in the church. The deceased was a faithful member in every way from the time he entered upon his new life in Christ. He left a faithful wife, and loya 1 member of the church, Ella Smith, two sisters and a brother. LEGISLATOR FIGHTING FOR STATE ANTI-LYNCHING BILL Asociated Negro Press Charlestown, W. Va., April 20— Representative Capeheart, the only colored member of the West Virginia legislature, strongly opposed on the floor of the assembly, any interfer ence with the anti-lynching measure passed by a former session. Efforts are being made to amend the law to make it practically inoperative. Cape heart is being supported by a num ber of his fellow law-makers. INDIA FACES CRISIS OVER HEAVY TAXES British Power Believed to he Shaken By Edict of Viceroy in Doubling Of Already Unpopular Levy Crusader Service London, April 20—The constitution al crisis which may mark the turning j point in the history of British India j has been precipitated by a clash of powers at Delhi between the executive and legislative assembly which has come to a climax with the passage of the budget by the Viceroy, Lord Head ing, over the head of the elective low er house. Upon the tyrannical pow ers conferred on him by the govern ment of India act which came into ef fect in 1020 looking toward the bols tering of brute force in India, the Viceroy took the action after the leg islative assembly had repeatedly re fused to the most important feature of the hudgeh—the doubling of the salt tax, which is always the most un popular tax in India. Even the sup porters of the government here as well as in India question the wisdom of this exercise of drastic power re served to the Viceroy for use in crit ical situations. The radicals are seiz ing the opportunity to show up the government as reactionary and to I prove that its professions as regards j reforms are hypocritical. FOR FORTY-FIVE YEARS HAS NEVER MISSED MORNING SERVICES! — Remarkable Record of Flyman W. ' Thompson Who Has Recently Come j To Reside W.th His Daughter in Omaha A record of faithful attendance at morning service which it will be dif ficult to either match or excel is that of Mr. Hyman W. Thompson, who ar rived in the city last Wednesday from New Bern, N. C., to make his home with his daughter, Mrs. Herman Wig gins, of 2833 Franklin street. For 45 years Mr. Thompson never missed at tending morning service at St. Cyp rian’s Episcopal church, New Bern, of which he was a communicant and for over forty years never missed at tendance at Sunday school, of which he was superintendent. He was one of the first men from the south to attend Oberlin university, of which he is a graduate. During the recent disastrous fire in New Bern his home was totally destroyed. Since that time his son-in-law and daughter, Dr. and Mrs Wiggins, have l>een urging him to come to Omaha, but he was reluctant to leave New Bern where he is highly esteemed by members of both races. Omaha gives him cordial welcome. WHAT ABE THEY DRIVING ATT Wednesday afternoon J. G. Masters, principal of Central High school, an nounced that the colored pupils were requested to meet in Room 216 at the close of the session. Several pupils complied with the request. They found awaiting them there the Rev. Attorney John Adams, a recent ar rival in our city, and Dr. A. L. Haw kins. The former addressed the stu dents and urged them to attend tn a body services at St. John’s A. M. E. church, Sunday morning at 11 o’clock and suggested that they form them selves into an organization. Worth ington Williams joined issue with the gentleman telling him that students who belonged to other congregations would doubtless desire to attend their own services and that as High school students were free to join any of the school organizations he thought any special organization of colored High school students was entirely out of place and unnecessary. Several of the students as well as their parents are asking, “What are these men driving at?” BREAKS GROUND FOR BUSINESS BLOCK Ground has been broken at Twen tyfourth and Grant street for a hand some three story modern brick busi ness block to be erected by James G. Jewell, one of Omaha’s most success ful, progressive and far-sighted busi ness men. The lower floor will be de voted to store buildings, the second to suites of business offices and the third to a large and well appointed hall suitable for public gatherings and en tertainments of all kinds. Mr. Jew ell is to be complimented upon his venture which doubtless will prove a paying business investment. It is sig nificant to notice that this is on the east side of Twenty-fourth street, which a few months ago was consid ered forbidden ground for racial bus iness in that vicinity. Have you ever read the story of King Cnut and his throne which he placed by the sea side? From Nebraska to Arkansas and Back Experiences and Observations of the Editor on Trip to Southland Where He Saw Many Things of Interest THE NEGHO ORGANIZA TION WHICH LOANED THE GOVERNMENT $75,000.00 In my article of last week in which I spoke of my observations in some of the leading stores and one of the lead ing banks of Little Rock in which Separation of the Races, so marked on street cars and other places, was, as it ought, to be ignored, a mistake as to date occurs. It was corrected when I read the galley proof, but in "making up” the paper the correction was not made. Instead of “Monday morning, February 12", as it appeared in the article it should have read "Tuesday morning, February 13”. The facts, however, were as I stated them. The people were lined up before the various tellers’ windows according to their turn without racial distinction. I noticed this because it was in euch marked contrast with the dual custom so generally obtaining and as showing how inconsistent most of us mortals are. Speaking of banks naturally sug gests money. And this can be truth fully said that the deposits of our race in the banks of the South run way up into the millions. Should Negro depositors make a run on several banks in the South those banks would be forced to the wall. The financial power of our people in this regard is not realized. 1 think the gradual awakening to an appreciation of the Negro’s financial strength and his economic value upon the part of finan cial interests of that section will be a strong factor in correcting many abuses and injustices under which, say what you will, our people are be coming more restive every year. Noth ing is to be gained by disguising or ignoring the truth and they who be lieve I hat the Negro in the South is satisfied with conditions has another think coming. They are very wisely making the best of conditions, secur ing education and accumulating wealth. Moreover they are learning how to pool their money, control it and wisely use it. Perhaps one of the best examples of how this is being done is furnished by the Mosaic Templars of America, one of the great fraternal organiza tions, which had Its origin and main tains its national headquarters at Lit tle Rock. I had hoped to have cuts of its national and state buildings and of some of its officers to appear with this article; but unfortunately the “cuts” have not yet arrived. I shall have to ask you to use your imagina tion to visualize what I desire to tell you, and particularly those of our readers who may be pessimistic about the future of our race. You know we have such people who take delight in “Singing the Blues’’, or who like the monks of old go around with a long face chanting in funereal and sepul chral tone “memori mors", remember death. Picture to yourself a magnificient four-story pressed brick modern build ing occupying a full i quarter of a block on a prominent corner in a busy business section of Little Rock; the lower floors containing well equipped stores; the upper floors dc eupied by the executive offices of the Mosaic Templars, elegantly equipped and furnished with modern up-to-the minute labor and time saving conveni ences; the desks and office furniture showing good taste and refinement; and by other elegant suites of offices, tenated by insurance companies, law yers, doctors and dentists of this for mer race of slaves and restricted priv ileges and you will have no doubt of the future of this virile group of Am erican citizens. This elegant office building represent* a valuation of about a quarter of a million dollars. This is only a minor part of the or der’s assetts. It has deposited in the banks of Ijttle Rock in actual cash nearly half a million dollars, to say nothing of Its property 'in other states, its Liberty bonds and other gilt edge securities. Suppose the Mosaic Tem plars should withdraw their deposits in one lump sum from the Little Rock hanks, don’t you think those institu tions would feel it? Of course, they would. Omaha readers may get some idea of what this building, with its two story brick-annex, where the state headquarters of the order are housed, is like, when I say there are very few1 finer office buildings in this city than the Mosaic Templars building in Lit tle Rock. It is larger and more finely appointed than the Farnam building. Merchants National Bank building or the McCague block. It’s some build ing. Some New Yorkers were visiting Little Rock the week before I arriv ed and when shown this building they said, "Do you mean to tell us that colored people actually own this mag nlficent building?” “Yes, indeed,’’ was the proud reply; "they own it and there is not one penny of debt against it.’’ "Marvellous, is seems almost in credulous.” As the Mosaic Templars were or ganized in 1883, just forty years ago, this substantial evidence of their prosperity, shows the result of forty years’ growth. The order began with fifteen members and its founders had no idea other than making it a local benevolent association. How it has become international with a member ship of over 100,000 and an annual income of about $800,000 a year, is a fascinating story by itself, which I may later tell. In the Endowment Department of this order which occupies a large loom on the second floor it was an inspiring sight to see twenty-three neatly dressed young women of our race busily engaged at their desks and typewriters. They had that alprt, bus iness like manner which bespoke ef ficiency. This department is in charge of E. J. Jones, a pleasant gentleman who was formerly head bookkeeper at Tuskegee. In the offices of the various officials, all of whom im pressed one as high-class Christian gentlemen, there were clerks and stenographers, courteous and well mannered. Upon visiting the place and seeing the business dispatched one can read ily understand why the Mosaic Tem plars of America through its presi dent, S. J. Elliott, were able to knock William McAdoo off his feet, figura tively speaking, when that govern ment official was making a plea for the purchase of Liberty Loan Bonds to aid the government in its fight to help make “the world safe for demo cracy” (American Negroes excluded), this quiet, mild-mannered black man, and he is black, arose and said: “Mr. Secretary of '•he Treasury, here is a certified c1 \ t for $75,000.00, which the Mosaic Templars of America, a Negro organization, subscribes for the Liberty Loan. If the quota is not sub scribed and the government needs it, there is more where this comes from ajid we will gladly give it.” Is there any wonder that cheers j rent the air of that great auditorium * and many eyes were bathed with tears as this modest, yet forceful black American came forward, as the head of a fraternal organization of his peo ple to loan the United States govern ment $75,000.00 to help carry on a war which he with others hoped would bring democracy to all the world and in which he had a right to believe he and his people would share? Does any sane man or woman be lieve that the Negroes of Arkansas with such men as S. J. Elliott, Scipio A. Jones, A. E. Bush, Dr. J. G. Thorn ton and others of like ability who have built up this order, and it is only one of many demonstrating the power of organization, are going to be satis fied with anything less than their full constitutional rights as American citi zens? With such evidence of pro gress is there any reason for hope lessness or nurturing bitterness? By no means. The future throbs with promise. Let there be strong faith and clear vision. Next week, Some Men of Vision. JUVENILE ATHLETIC CLUB ORGANIZED A club has been organized by Mrs. Grace M. llutten, commissioner of the Colored Commercial Club, for the younger boys between the ages of 10 and 15. This will be In the nature of a Junior athletic association for the encouragement of good sportsmanship among the boys of the city. A base ball team has been organized and an other will be formed soon. Any boy wishing to Join should call Webster 1822 or call at the Colored Commer cial Club rooms, 2414 Maple street. ASHBURY RE-INTRODUCES CIVIL RIGHTS HILL IN PENN. Associated Negro Press Harrisburg, Pa., April 20—Repre sentative John O. Asbury, of Phila delphia, undaunted by the “smiling disapproval” of Governor Pinchot in behalf of the Civil Rights bill, has re introduced the measure, and pressure is being brought to have it passed in the legislature, t FLEMING AGAIN TO RUN FOR COUNCILMAN Associated Negro Press Cleveland, Ohio, April 20—Thomas W. Fleming, many times elected af member of the Cleveland city council, has again thrown his hat in the ring. Fleming has been successful in his legislative efforts and has a strong following. Not only has he gotten many improvements for his ward, but lie has introduced many ordinances of general interest. 11 AMY PARTICIPATE IN BOY SCOUT BALLY Thirteen troops of Boy Scouts num bering over 1,000 hoys competed in the annuul Scout Rally at the City Auditorium Saturday night. Troup 23, under Scoutmaster Dr. Craig Mor ris, and the South Omaha Troop participated in the rally. The honors were captured by Troup 41 of Flor ence. Joseph Horsey who was con fidently counted upon to win for Troup 23 in the friction firing con test was ill. The contests were all close and it was an inspiring sight to see the skillful maneuvers of the large number of Boy Scoute. GRACE ADAMS ON HONOR ROLL Among the students of Central high school to be placed on the honor roll last semester is Miss Grace Adams of the Freshman class. This studious young lady secured a rating of four A’s. Congratulations, Grace. Keep up this good work. OMAHA GIRL IS SONG WRITER Miss Ruth M. Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Jones, a graduate of Central High school and a student at the University of Omaha, has just published a song entitled, “I Want a Sheik”. The music is by E. S. S. Hunt ington. The song has been copy righted. Miss Jones has written some exquisite verses but this is her first venture in the realm of popular songs. TICKETS SELLING FAST The maangement of "The Price” which Is to be given at Brandeis thea tre May 3 for the benefit of the Old Folks’ Home announces that tickets for the play are selling fast. The Elks and Shriners have engaged boxes; the Bachelor-Benedict club has reserved three rows on the or chestra floor and Mrs. C. C. Allison has purchased a block of seats. CLYDE LEROY GLASS IN RECITAL Clyde Leroy Glass, the eminent pi anist and professor of music at West ern University, Kansas City, Kansas, will give a recital under the auspices of the Omaha Western University Club at St. John’s A. M. E. church, Friday night, April 27. THE ST. PAUL PRES BYTERIAN CHURCH Twenty-sixth and Seward Streets— Russel Taylor, Pastor. In keeping with the recommenda tion of our General Assembly the services next Sunday will be with spe cial emphasis on the keeping of the Lord's Day. The morning topic will j be: “The Sabbath, a Bulwark of Moral and Religious Strength”. In the evening the thought for discussion will be, “Leadership—the Proper Training for It.” Exodus 3:7-12; 4: 10-12. The pastor was busy the first three days of the week attending the spring meeting of the Presbytery of Omaha, convening in the First Presbyterian church. Tuesday evening the St. Paul church male quartet rendered two selections during the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the organ ization of Omaha Presbytery. Wed nesday afternoon Mrs. Taylor ad dressed a large and enthusiastic class of young ladies of the Florence Pres byterian church on the “Condition and Needs of the Race in Our City?” This class had just finished the study of “The Trend of the Races” by Mr. Haynes. INDUSTRIAL CRISIS WORRIES BRITAIN Colored World Looks on With Interest Knowing Liberation Will Follow Fall of British Empire Crusader Service. London, April 20—The industrial outlook in Great Britain at the pres ent time is regretted by British im perialists as extremely disquieting. It is estimated that nearly 700,000 workers are involved in disputes with their employers, and that 56,000 are on strike. These exclude the Welsh miners and the Norfolk farm work ers. Another source of national anx iety is the difference which has arisen over the railway shopmen’s wages. The employers propose an extensive reduction and this is regarded as holding the possibility of a general railwaymen’s strike throughout Great Britain. The dispute in the pottery trades involves about 60,000 men. The effect of this industrial unrest among other equally disturbing fac tors, on the position of the Govern ment after Parliament reassembles on Monday, is discussed today in an editorial article in the Daily Tele graph. The newspaper takes the view that the next few weeks may be the crucial time in the fortunes of the administration. In the meantime the colored press of the colonies and of the United States and Japan are said to be evincing keen interest in the troubles of the British home govern ment, knowing full well that the col lapse of organized government in the British Isles would sound the hour of their liberation. NONEGENARIAN IS CALLED BY DEATH Father of Mrs. James C. Donley Quietly Passes Away at Family Residence at the Age of Ninety-Four Thomas J. Brown, aged 94 years, passed quietly away at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. James C. Don ley, 2415 Erksine street, about half past ten o’clock Monday afternoon af ter a brief illness. Despite his ad vanced years Mr. Brown retained his mental faculties unimpaired and did not take to his bed until a few days ago. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, January 15, 1829, Mr. Brown went as a young man to Canada, locating at London. Subsequently he went to Michigan and for many years was a resident of Cassopolis and Grand Rapids. He served as a local Metho dist preacher in Michigan for some time. Upon the death of his wife in 1905 he came to Omaha to make his home with his daughter. The funeral was held Thursday afternoon from the family residence, Rev. John Albert Williams officiating. Interment was at Forest Lawn. WHITE BLOCK BOMBED Kansas City, Mo., April 20—A vac ant home in the 2100 block of Park avenue, thought to be rented to col ored people, was destroyed by a bomb Sunday night of last week. Sur rounding white homes were shaken.. LEFT ALL TO CHURCHES Williamstown, N. C., April 20—By the will of the late J. P. Rutler, his estate of several thousand dollars was left equally to local churches of all denominations. LARGE AUDIENCE WELCOMES WHITE AT MASS MEETIH6 Courageous Assistant Secretary of Na tional Advancement Association Delivers a Stirring Address. TELLS OF ACHIEVEMENTS Throws Many Interesting Sidelights On Fight for Dyer Anti-Lynch ing Dill and Arkansas Peons. Walter F. White, assistant secre tary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was greeted by a large audience last Sunday afternoon at Grove Methodist Episcopal church where he spoke, un der the auspices of the local branch, of the more recent outstanding achievements of the organization and made a strong appeal for a larger membership. He told of the work for the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill, the fight for saving the lives of the men con demned to death by the mob con trolled Arkansas court after a farcial trial for an alleged conspiracy to murder the white people of Elaine, and of work in connection with the Tulsa riots. As he graphically recited the well known facts in these important cases, illuminating them with many interest ing side-lights the audience was deep ly stirred. Few realize the tremen dous amount of work which was done by the association to secure favorable action on the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill in the House of Representatives, where it was passed and to get it before the Senate where it was defeated by "a democratic filibuster, the weakness and insincerity of some northern re publicans and the treachery of a mem ber of the race.” But the fight for this measure is to be continued, tintij this menace is removed from America. The fight for the condemned farm ers of Phillips county, Arkansas, who had simply organized to protect them Belves by legal means from continu ing to be robbed and exploited by the crop-sharing system, was perhaps the most notable victory ever won for justice in this country. Mr. White told graphically of how the fight was carried up to the United States Su preme court, where it was argued by Morefield Storey, who contributed his services, resulting in a decision which not only reversed these cases but which reverses the Supreme Court it self in its former decision in the Leo Frank case. Mr. White told modestly of some of his personal experiences at Tulsa where he was sworn in as deputy sheriff and thus securing facts and evidence which could not have been obtained in any other way, and of how the Association had helped the victims of that riot protect their prop erty. The simple recital of the achieve ments of the N. A. A. C. P. was of itself an effective appeal for member ship; but this was supplemented by a direct appeal which resulted in secur ing nine life memberships at $25 each; several gold certificate memberships at $10 each and a large number of annual memberships at $1.00 each. Henry W. Black, president of the local branch, called the meeting to order, and introduced H. J. pinkett as chairman of the meeting, in turn in troduced the speaker. The invocation was said by Rev. Wm. Franklin, and the benediction was pronounced by the Rev. C. N. Hollis. N. W. C. A. NOTES The house committee of the Old Folks’ Home under the chairmanship of Mrs M. Shelton Union, are having the rooms papered and painted. We are very thankful to Rev. A. Rayfor for his services to the Home in holding meetings on Sunday after noon for benefit of the Matron and inmates if the Home. Any one who has a yard to rake or other outdoor work to do please call Webster 4634, Old Folks’ Home, and ask for Matron. To the ladies who did not bring tea towels at the last meeting, please do not forget to bring them at this meet ing, also a pillow case. Regular monthly meeting Wednes day, May 2nd, at 10:30 at the Home. Hope to see all members out. 100,000 LEAVE MISSISSIPPI Jackson, Mississippi, April 20—One tenth of the million Negroes of this state are said to have gone north in the past six month*. Plantation owners face bankruptcy and promise better plantation improvements.
