The Monitor
A NATIONAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS
_ THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor
$2.00 a Year. 5c a Copy OMAHA, NEBRASKA, FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1924 Whole Number 463 Vol. IX—No. 47
V <■=— -i-i-Ji - u-j—- ■■ ■
f54 Pi^soners Facing Freedom
HO OH MARTYRS
SOON TO BE FREED
BY THE WAR DEPT.
* _
Long and Persistent Fight By National
Association and Other
Agencies Bring
Results
EI8HTEEM SET RELEASE HOW
-»
Report That Prison Sentences of Mem
bers of 24th Infantry, Alleged
Participants of Houston
Riot, Reduced
New York, May 23.—The National
Association for the Advancement of
Colored People has made public a
letter from John W. Weeks, U. S. Sec
retary of War, reporting that the pris
on sentences of every former member
of the 24th Infantry, still imprisoned
for alleged patlcipatlon in the Houston
Riot of 1917, has been reduced, and
that, according to the present revi
sions of sentence, every one of the
men will have been eligible for re
lease over a period from now until
3 years and 7 months from now. The
letter from the Secretary of War to
the N. A. A. C. P. Is as follows:
War Department
Washington
May 13, 1924.
Ag 253, 1 (5-12 24) Pris.
Mr. W'alter White,
Assistant Secretary, N. A. A. C. P.,
69 Fifth Ave.,
New York, N. Y.
Dear Sir:
In harmony with the understand
ing with you, I am furnishing you the
following information relative to the
so-called Houston rioters.
Of the fifty-four of these men who
were in confinement in the penitenti
ary when the board of officers visited
that institution, thirty were serving
life eentenees. Ag the result of the
recommendations of the board of of
ficers, made after a most careful and
exhaustive investigation and consid
eration of each rase on its individual
merits, ten of the thirty men under
life sentences have received reduc
tions in their sentences that will make
them eligible for release on home par
ole during the calendar year 1925; and
the remaining twenty have received
reductions from life to thirty years,
which will make sixteen of them elig
ible for home parole In 1927, and four
of them eligible for home parole in
1928.
In passing upon these cases great
weight was laid upon the evidence
presented at the trial and the conduct
in confinement of the prisoners con
cerned; and the investigations showed
that the men whose sentences were
reduced to thirty years were the more
deeply involved In the affair, and had
the poorer records of conduct In con
finement. Of the other twenty-four
prisoners Involved in the Houston riot,
serving sentences of lees than life at
the time of the Investigation *of the
board, eighteen are eligible for par
ole during the calendar year 1924, and
six will be eligible for home parole in
1925.
As this recent investigation has re
sulted In reductions in sentences in
every case of the so-called Houston
rioters, with the exception of bIx who
are eligible for parole not later than
August, 1924, and as the latest date
(under the modified sentences) on
which any prisoner will become elig
ible for home parole is August, 1928,
it is considered that the War Depart
ment has been most liberal In Its
treatment of the prisoners.
Under a rule of the War Depart
ment governing the subject, the case
of every military prisoner is consid
ered for clemency at leaBt once each
year; and neither the recent investi
gation. by the board of officers, nor
any action taken upon its recommen
dation, will preclude the considera
tion annually of the case of each one
of the prisoners involved.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) John W. Weeks,
Secretary of War.”
In making public this report, the
N. A. A. C. P. made the following
statement:
‘To summarize the above letter the
facts, In brief, are: 18 of the Houston
martyrs are eligble for Immediate re
lease; 16 of them—10 serving life sen
tences and 6 long terms, will be elig
ible for release within a year; 16
will be eligible for release early in
1927; and the remaining four early In
1928, or three years and seven months
from now. The men were committed
to Leavenworth Prison In December,
1917 and have thus served six years
i and 5 months.
‘‘While the results obtained thus far'
are not all for which the N. A. A. C.
P. and cooperating agencies hoped
and worked for, nevertheless there
is cause for rejoicing in that those
who have the longest sentences yet
to serve have only three years and
seven months.
“The N. A. A. C. P. and those agen
cies which worked so faithfully in
this effort yet feel that full pardon
which was asked for should have
been granted these men. It will be
noted from Secretary Week’s letter
that these cases are to be reviewed
annually. The N. A. A. C. p. is grat
ified at the results eecured. At the
same time it will continue its efforts
for further reductions of sentence.”
YOOG VIOLINST GIVES
IIEK FIRST RECITAL
Miss Kvelyn Battles, violinist, pupil
of Grace Leldy Burger, assisted by
Miss Rachel Rice, soprano, gave an ex
cellent recital, Monday evening at the
North Side Y. W. C. A. Her program
was well-chosen and interpreted with
marked musicianship and ability. Miss
Rice has a pleasing soprano voice.
Miss Inez Battles gave fine support
as accompanist. The program was as
follows:
Sonatina—Allegro . Schubert
Concerto . Seitz
Allegro Moderato
Adagio
Rondo
At Dawning . Cadman
Byi the Waters of Minnetonka.
. Lieuranee
Berceuse . Godard
Tarantella . Drdla
At rii y>stacy . Speaks
Swan . Saint Saens
Souvenir . Drdla
Mazurka . Mlynarski
WILL STUDY IN PARIS
Philadelphia, Pu„ May 23.—(By the
Associated Negro Press).—Dr. Harry
Barnes, chief of the ear, nose and
throat service of (he Douglas hospital
and assistant chief of Jefferson hos
pital, has sailed for Europe to take a
special post graduate course 1n the
University of Paris.
WARM DEBATE OVER
SUPPORTING DYER
ANTI-LYNCHING BILL
Methodist Episcopal Conference, Com
posed Largely of White
Delegates, Divided
in Opinion.
FINALLY PASS RESOLUTION
Springfield, Mass., May 23.—(By
the Associated Negro Press.)—One of
the most spirited discussions in the
course of theflong conference of the
Methodist Episcopal church being held
here came up in connection with the
passage of a resolution endorsing the
Dyer anti-lynching bill. Proponents
of the resolution which was intro
duced by the Rev. Gammon Morris of
Gastoria, North Carolina, plead for its
passage on the ground of law enforce
ment. Opponents held that such legis
lation was an invasion of state’s right.
This latter view was most effectively
presented by Judge Henry Wade Rog
ers of the New York East conference,
former dean of the Yale Law School
and now judge of the circuit court of
appeals of the state of Connecticut.
Among those to speak for the re
solution were the Revs. R. Howard
of South Carolina and A. J. Mitchell
of Anapolis, Md. Dr. Elmer L. Kid
ney of che Pittsburgh conference
joined Judge Wade in the opposition.
Discussion was closed by Dr. F. H.
Butler of the Delaware Conference and
secretary of the Epworth League
work for colored conferences, who
called particular attention to the
points orient state’s rights advanced
by Judge Wade. Dr. Butler reminded
the conference that in all its action
thus far it had hewed close to the line
of law enforcement, deploring in vari
ous ways the laxity of enforcement
seen in the prohibition law and re
minded the conference that the failure
of the Eighteenth Amendment could
in large measure be traced to the in
difference shown toward the Four
teenth and Fifteenth amendments. He
won the conference over to law en
forcement, no matter whom it might
hurt. The resolution was passed,
which means the appointment of a
commission of five members to work
for the passage of anti-lynching legis
lation.
DEMPSEY-WILLS FIGHT PERHAPS
(Lincoln News Service)
New York, May 23.—Tex Rickard
recently announced that he has mat
ched Jack Dempsey and Harry Wills,
“Tho Black Panther,” for a world’s
heavyweight championship fight at
Boyle’s Thirty Acres, Jersey City, on
September 6th, next.
A STORY OF
A Story of Ante-Bellum C
A period of underground agitation,
such as Vesey had carried on for
about three or four years, will, unless
arrested, pass naturally into one of
organized action. Vesey’s movement
reached, in the winter of 1821-22 such
a stage. As far as it is known, he
had up to this time done the work of
agitator singlehanded and alone and
singlehandedi and alone he had gone
through to and fro through that under
world of the slave, preaching his gos
pel of liberty and hate. But about
Christmas of 1821, the long lane of
his labors made a sharp turn. This
circumstance tended necessarily to
throw other actors upon the scene, as
shall presently appear.
The first step taken at the turn of
his long and laborious lane was cal
culated to put to the utmost test his
ability as a leader, as an arch plotter.
For it was nothing less momentous
than the choice by him of fit associ
ates. On the wisdom with which such
a choice was made, would depend his
own life and the success of his under
taking. Among thousands of disciples
he had to find the right men to whom
to entrust his secret purpose, and its
execution in co-operation with him
self. The step was indeed crucial and
in taking It he needed not alone the
mental qualities which he had exhib
ited in his role of underground agi
tator, viz., serpent-like cunning and
intelligence under the direction of the
most alert and flexible discretion, but
as well a practical and profound
knowledge of the human nature with
which he had to deal, a keen and in
fallible insight into individual char
acter.
It is not too much to claim for Den
mark Vesey, that bis genius rosa to
the emergency, and proved itself equal
to a surpassingly difficult situation,
in the singular fitness of the five prin
cipal men on whom fell his election
to associate-leadership, with himself,
and to the work of organizing the
blacks for resistance. These five
men, who became his ablest, and most
efficient lieutenants, were Peter Poy
as, Rolla and Ned Bennett, Monday
Cell and Oullah Jack. They were all
slaves and, I believe, full blooded Ne
groes. They constituted a remarkable
quintet of slave leaders, combined the
very qualities of head and heart which
Vesey most needed at the stage then
reached by his unfolding plot. For
fear lest some of their critics might
sneer at the sketch of them which I
am tempted to give, as lacking In
probability and truth, I will insert in
stead the careful estimate placed upon
them severally by their slave judges.
And herer it is: "In the selection of
his leaders, Vesey showed great pene
tration and sound Judgement. Rolla
wbb plausible and possessed uncom
mon self-possession; bold and ardent,
he was not to be deterred from his
purpose by danger. Ned’s appearance
ATTORNEY AND MRS. ADAMS
SUFFER SAD BEREAVEMENT
Edith, aged 11, youngest child and
only daughter of Attorney and Mrs.
John Adams died Wednesday after
noon from pneumonia after a week’s
illness. Mrs. Adams and Edith had
come from their former home in Pue
blo, Colo., Saturday, May 10, to rejoin
Mr. Adams and the other members
of the family who had preceded them.
Tuesday following Edith had her ton
sils and adnoids removed and was
brought home from the hospital on
Wednesday. Pneumonia developed re
sulting In her death. She was a
bright and lovable child and the sym
pathy of their friends ga out to the
bereaved parents. The funeral will
be held Saturday afternoon from St.
John’s A. M. E. church, Twentysecond
and Willis avenue at 3 o’clock.
MAKES EXCELLENT RECORD
Margaret Dallas, 119 No. 37th St.,
was one of the successful participants
in the Music Memory contest staged
by the public schools at the city audi
torium Friday, May 9th, scoring one
hundred per cent—thereby winning a
gold medal. Receiving 8 A’s on her
md-semester report card, she was pro
moted from the 8th grade to the 8th B
and is to graduate from Saunders
school in June at the age of twelve.
BWll—■HH'HI I I'..
THE MART
'ays, Dealing With Slave I
By Francis J. Grimke
PART V
(By The Associated Negro Press)
PLOTTER TAKES CRCCICAL STEP
IN SELECTING LEADERS
indicated that he was a man of firm
nerves and desperate courage. Peter
was intrepid and resolute, true to his
engagements, and cautious in observ
ing secrecy where it was necessary;
he was not to be daunted nor impeded
by difficulties, and though confident
of success, was careful against any
obstacles or casualties which might
arise, and intent upon discovering
every means which might be in their
favor 1f thought of beforehand. Gullah
Jack was regarded as a sorcerer, and
as such feared by the natives of
Africa, who believe in witchcraft He
was not only considered invulnerable,
but that he could make others so by
his charms; and that he could and
certainly would provide all his follow
ers with arms. He was artful, cruel,
bloody; his disposition in short was
diabolical. His influences among the
Africans was inconceivable. Monday
was firm, resolute, discreet and intel
ligent.”
From this picture painted by bitter
enemies, who were also theirl execu
tioners, could any person, ignorant
of the circumstances and the history
of those men, possibly guess, with
the exception of Gullah Jack, to what
race the originals belonged, or think
you, that such a person would so
much as dream that they were in fact,
as they were in Uie eye of the law
under which they lived, nothing more
than so many human chattels, sub
ject like cattle to the caprice and) the
cruelty of their owners?
Such, nevertheless, was the re
markable group of blacks on whom
had fallen Vesey’s choice. And did
they not present an assemblage of
high and striking qualities? Here
were coolness in action, calculation,
foresight, plausibility in address, fi
delity to engagements, secretiveness,
intrepid courage, nerves of iron in
the presence of danger, inflexible pur
pose, unbending will, and last though
not least in its relations to the whole,
superstition incarnate in the character
of the Negro conjurer. Masterly was
Indeed the combination, and he had
no ordinary gift for leadership, who
was able to hit it off at one surpris
ing stroke.
As the work of organized prepara
tion for the uprising advanced Vesey
added presently to his staff two prin
cipal and several minor recruiting
agents, who operated in Charleston
and in the country to the north of
the city as far as the Santee, the
Combahee, and Georgetown. Their
YRS OF 1822
isurrection at Charleston
exploitation in the interest of the plot
extended to the South into the two
large islands of James and John’s as
well as to plantations across the Ash
ley river. Vesey himself, it was said,
traveled southwardly from Charleston
between seventy and eighty miles, and
it was presumed by the writers that
he did so on business connected with
the conspiracy, which I consider al
togeti, probable. He had certainly
thrown himself into the movement
with might and main. We know, that
its direction absorbed finally his
whole time and energy. “He ceased
working himself at his trade,” so ran
the testimony of a witness at his trial,
and employed himself exclusively in
enlisting men.”
The number of blacks engaged in
the enterprise was undoubtedly large.
It is a sufficiently conservative esti
, mate to place this number, I think, at
two or three thousand, at least. One
recruiting officer alone, Frank Fergu
son, enlisted in the undertaking the
slaves of four plantations within forty
miles of the city; and in the city it
self, it was said that the personal roll
of Peter Poyas embraced a member
ship of six hundred names More than
one witness placed the conjectural
strength of Vesey’s forces as high as
9,000, but I am inclined to write this
down as a gross overestimate of the
people actually enrolled as members
of the conspiracy.
Here is an example of the nice cal
culation and discretion of the man
who was the soul of the conspiracy.
It is contained in the testimony of an
intensely hostile witness, a slave
painter, whose slaves were suspected
of complicity in the intended uprising;
“The orderly conduct of the Ne
groes in any district of country within
forty miles of Charleston,” wrote this
witness, “is no evidence that they
were ignorant of the intended at
tempt. A more orderly gang than my
own is not to be found in this State,
and one of Denmark Vesey’s drections
was, that they should assume the most
implicit obedience.”
Take another instance of the ex
traordinary aptitude of the slave lead
er^ for the conduct of their danger
ous enterprise. It illustrates Peter’s
remarkable foresight and his faculty
for scenting danger, and making at
the same time provision for meeting
it. In giving an order to one of his
assistants, said he, “Take care and
don’t mention it (the plot) to those
waiting men who receive presents of
old cats< etc., from their masters or
they’ll betray us.” And then as if to
provide doubly against betrayal at
their hands, he added, “I'll speak to
them.” His apprehension of. disaster
to the cause from this class was great,
but it was not greater than the reality,
;xs the sequel abundantly proved. Let
me not, however, anticipate.
(Continued next week)
__»
One of Omalia’s Park Scenes
THE NEGRO WOMEN’S I
CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The regular meeting of the Home
last week, was opened by Rev. J. C.
Blaine, of the C. M. E. Church, who
was a visitor that day.
Mr. Blaine made a wonderful talk
along the line of establishing a home
for children whose mothers go out to
work and have no place to leave their
children. We hope that every col
ored citizen of Omaha will help to
make this a success.
Board meeting of the Home the 1st
Thursday in-June, all members are
expected to be out.
Martha Smith, Pres.
Elizabeth M. Reed, Corr. Sec.
KLAN GIFTS RETURNED
(Lincoln News Service)
Buckhannon, W. Va., May 23.—The
two colored congregations here have
returned to the Knights of Ku-Klux
Klan the Easter donation of $25 to
each. They are the Simpson Memor
, ial Methodist Episcopal Church and
the Hall Chapel of the African Meth
odist Episcopal Church. A polite note
accompanied the return.
PARDON BOY LIFE TERMER
Dover, Del., May 23.—(By the As
sociated Negro Press).—The only par
don granted by the state board at its
monthly session here this week was
to James Sharp, a Negro boy serving
a life sentence for the nyirder of a
white boy. He had been confined in
the Newcastle County workhouse.
VISIT SCHOOL EXHIBIT
Saturday is the last day of the won
derful school exhibit which occupies
the whole eighth floor of the Bran
deis store. This is an exhibit which
no one should fail to see. If you have
not done so before, be sure to see it
Saturday. The hours are from 11 to
6. It is a wonderful sight and will
delight and instruct all who see it.
BISHOPS CHOSEN
TO FILL VACANCIES
IN THREE DISTRICTS
African Methodist General Conference
in Session at Louisville, Ky„ Has
Spirited Balloting for
Coveted Offices.
EAST AND SOUTH ARE WINNERS
Louisville, Ky., May 23.—(By Asso
ciated Negro Press)—Ira T. Bryant,
present secretary of the African
Methodist Episcopal Sunday school
union, won in his fight against the
bishops of the church when he was
re-elected by a large majority at the
twenty-seventh quadrennial confer
ence of the church now in session
here. Three bishops were also elect
ed: The Revs. A. L. Gaines of the Bal
timore conference, J. A. Gregg, presi
dent of Wilberforce, and Reverdy Ran
son, New York, editor of the A. M. E.
Review.
The balloting was spirited and there
are promises on contests over the elec
tion of Mr. Bryant, Bishop Jones mov
ing it he declared void because of ir
regularity.
Others elected are Dr. John R. Haw
kins, financial secretary; Prof. Jack
son, Texas, secretary of education;
Dr. R. R. Wright, editor of the Chris
tian Recorder; Dr. D. M. Baxter, man
ager of the A. M. E. Book Concern;
Rev. J. E. Coit, secretary of missions;
Rev. G. J. Robinson, new editor of the
A. M. E. Church Review, and Dr. S.
E. Churchstone Lord, official steno
grapher for the conference.
The election of the Rev. A. L.
Gaines to the bishopric marks the
fourth successive time that episcopal
honors have been given to a represen
tative of the Baltimore conference, the
others being Bishop Albert Johnson,
John Hurst and W. Sampson Brooks.
The remainder of the conference
will be devoted to legislation. It is
believed action will be taken against
dancing, card playing and other sun
dry ills. Senator Watson of Indiana
was denounced this week for endors
ing Edward Jackson, Ku Klux Klan
republican candidate for governor of
the state.
DIVORCES MADE HARDER
BY METHODISTS
Springfield, Mass., May 23.—(By the
Associated Negro Press).—According
to rules Just made by the Methodist
Episcopal church, after a vote on a
report from the judiciary committee,
all members of the church, ministers
and laymen, are forbidden to remarry
after divorce for any other reason
than statutory charges, attested to by
court records. Pastors of the local
churches are to be the sole arbters
in determining the culpability of the
members.
NEGRO CHILDREN
HEED PROTECTION OF
SANE LABOR LAWS
Statistics Show Some Startling Facts
Concerning Employment of
Children in Yarioug
Occupations
MCE’t PEKERTME It IIM
Nearly 22 Per Cent of Negro Children
Between 10 and 15 Tears of Age
Are Engaged In Labor
Pursuits
(Lincoln News Service)
Washington, D. C., May 23—Legis
lation whereby child labor shall be
regulated is one of the gravest neces
sities which has ever confronted Amer
ica’s Negro population; for the fu
ture welfare of its children and their
physical and mental condition, upon
reaching maturity, will largely deter
mine the type of citizenship which is
to carry on the unfinished business
of the present generation. A glimpse
of the work status of Negro children
in the United Stated may be held in
the following figures and percentages:
Of the 12,502,582 children in the
United States, 10 to 15 years of age,
of whom 1,060,858, or 8.5 per cent,
are engaged in gainful occupations,
1,450,996 of the total are Negro chil
dren of that age span of whom 317,
231, or 21.9 per cent, or more than two
and one-half times the total per cent,
are gainfully employed in American
labor pursuits. Of this working group
of 317,231, Negro boys constitute 191,
877, or 26.7 per cent of their total,
while Negro girls constitute 125,354,
or 17.1 per cent of their total.
In comparison with other racial
groups whose children are contrib
uting to the output of American la
bor, the above percentages are as
tonishingly high. a stretch of the
age span two more years makes a
working group of Negro boys and
girls totaling 541,348, of whom 405,
57 Oare engaged in agricultural, for
estry and animal husbandry pursuits;
44,198 in the manufacturing and mech
anical industries; 10, 855 in transpor
tation occupations: 57,644 In domestic
and personal service; 7,972 in clerical
occupations; and the remainder in
miscellaneous occupations.
Since Republican sponsors of a con
stitutional amendment have, in their
full realization of the menace of un
regulated child labor, deemed it ne
cessary to forthwith prohibit or reg
ulate the working conditions of Amer
ican children, how essential it Is to
get behind this movement with all the
loyalty and power at our command.
Political history shows that practi
cally all federal legislation for the
benefit of women and children has
been enacted by Republican Congress
es; and that the bulk of opposition
to such legislation has come, Just as
it is now, from the Democratic “Solid
South.” It is interesting, though dis
tressing, in this connection, to note
that while child labor is confined to
no section of the country, it is at its
worst in the solid Democratic south
ern states. In Tennessee, 17 per cent
of the total child population is em
ployed contrary to the standards set
by the government regulating child
labor; in Arkansas, 19 per cent; in
Georgia, 21 per cent; n Alabama and
South Carolina, 24 per cent; in Miss
issippi, 26 per cent. In the northern
states the percentage is much lower,
and in the Pacific coast states only
three per cent of the total child popu
lation is employed in what is classi
fied as gainful labor. Thirty states
conform to the federal standard of
maximum hours for the employment
of children eight hours per day. Of
these thirty, only three are southern
Democratic states. One southern
state, North Carolina, permits chil
dren to be worked eleven hours a
day, and one southern state, Georgia,
has no limitation.
Education, recreation, health super
vision, and other attentions are need
ed, not in any particular section of
the country, but everywhere; and with
a heavy population of Negro children
busily at work in farm pursuits of
the Solid South, which has been so
derelict In its protection of Negro chil
dren, the duty s plain to see that at
the polls and elsewhere full coopera
tion is given to the Republican party
and its program, if it is ever to be
hoped that the children of today may
be the real men and women of to
morrow.
Cleveland, Ohio, employs over 80
colored teachers In the public schools,
one heading Latin Department in the
High School.