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NEBRASKA’S WEEKLY NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INTERESTS OF COLORED AMERICANS
THE REV. JOHN ALBERT WILLIAMS, Editor.
GROWING —
THANK YOU
$2.00 a Ye{ Cents a Copy Omaha, Nebraska, Friday, January 20, 1928 Vol. XIII—Number 29 Whole Number 651
Negro Woman Member State Legislature
Sculptor Wins $250 Prize
in Exhibit of Neero Art
A sculpture in terra cotta of the
head of a Negro boy called “Sam
my,” was unanimously voted by the
judges the prize of $250 in the first
nation-wide exhibition of the fine
arts productions of Negroes. The ex
hibit is being held under the sponsor
ship of the Harmon Foundation in
co-operation with the Commission on
the Church and Race Relations of
the Federal Council of Churches, at
International House, 500 Riverside
Drive, New York, N. Y.
The artist to receive the prize,
which is being given by a well known
patron of the arts, is Sargent John
son, a picture framer of 2777 Park
street, Berkeley, Cal.
The judges were Edwin II. Blash
field, mural painter and president of
the National Academy of Design;
Charles C. Curran, mural painter,
secretary of the National Academy of
Design; Way man Adams, portrait
painter; Arthur Lee, sculptor, and
Karl Illava, sculptor.
“We unanimously give to Sargent
Johnson the prize for the best work
exhibited, it being the terra cotta
head of a boy, called by the artist
‘Sammy, ” they said in their decision.
Honorable mentions were given to
Albert A. Smith of New York for his
drawing, “Place de la Monnaie, Pau,
France,” O. Richard Reid of New
York for his portrait of Charles S.
Johnson, and M. Gray Johnson of
New York for his oil portrait of Wil
son Lamb. Honorable mention was
made “only to those to whom we
would gladly have given money
prizes,” says the judges’ decision,
“had such prize- oeen available.”
Eighty-seven a. t objects, including
oil paintings, etchings, drawings,
sculpture and various kinds of hand
work, are being presented by Negroes
from all parts of the country in the
exhibition at International House.
Although it is an outgrowth of the
CONVICT WHITES IN
AN ASSAULT CASE
Assaulters of a Pittsburgh Matron
Face Long Sentence in
the Pennsylvania Peni
tentiary
Pittsburgh, Pa. — A jury in the
criminal court returned a verdict of
guilty against two white men here
recently on a charge growing out of
a criminal attack upon Mrs. Sara
Redd, prominent race matron of this
city. The whites, Charles McGill and
Russell Dale, are members of two of
the city’s wealthiest white families.
Sentence was set aside peading fil
ing of a motion for a new trial.
Mrs. Redd was accosted by the two
white men in an exclusive white resi
dential district. She was taken to a
secluded spot, attacked by both men,
and left in a hysterical condition.
The attack occurred July 17.
WHITES AND NEGROES JOIN
TO RAISE $500,000 FOR A
HOSPITAL IN BALTIMORE
Baltimore, Md.—The New Provi
dent Hospital and Free Dispensary
campaign for $176,000 ended bril
liantly recently with subscriptions
and cash amounting to nearly a half
million dollars.
Of this, $164,496.46 was reported
by race workers under George A.
Watty, general chairman.
The white workers, under Dr. J.
M. T. Finney, made a report of $149,
007.90, with a total of 769 subscrip
tions.
GIRL INSURES EYE FOR $1,000
Los Angeles, Cal.—Mrs. Marie
Ront has taken out an insurance pol
icy on her eyes representing the first
time a similar policy has been issued
to a Negro girl. Serious injury of
her highly prized orb will bring a pay
ment of $1,000. Mrs. Ront is young,
pretty and well known, and is pro
prietor of a doll hospital.
4
Award in Fine Arts of the Harmon
Foundation (which is one of a series
of seven awards for Negro creative
work), the showing includes the work
of many who were not entered for
this year’s award. Conforming to the
usual custom the decision of the
judges as to the winner of the prize
aat, the exhibition was made without
taking into consideration the pro
ductions of those which had already
received Harmon Awards in Fine
Arts. These are given for disting
uished achievement in the Fine Arts j
rather than as competitive prizes.
The success of the Exhibit has been
such that the sponsors have decided
to hold it again next year. It has at
tracted considerable attention in both
white and colored circles and because !
of the continued large attendance it
has been extended through the even
jing of January 17. It is open to the
| public from 11 a. m. to 5 p. m., and
jfrom 7:30 to 9:30 p. m. The spon
sors hope the exhibit to accomplish
(three things: to creat a wider inter
est in the work of the Negro artist as
a contribution to American culture:
| to stimulate him to aim for the high
; est standards of achievement, and to
| encourage the general public in the
I purchase of his work with the event
ual purpose in view of helping the
| American Negro to a sounder and
| more satisfactory economic position
1 in art.
Sargent Johnson is exhibiting, be
sides the prize winning head, the
(green porcelain bust of a child, and
: a terra cotta statuette with gothic
tendencies of a meditative maiden
which he calls “Pray.” Photographs
j of several of his other works are also
being shown. One of these, a Chinese ,
| baby done in green porcelain and
| called “Pearl,” received the gold
medal for sculpture at an exhibition
| a short time ago at the San Francisco,
i Cal., Art Association’s exhibition.
---__
•TEACHER IS AWARDED
$1,000 FELLOWSHIP
Mitt E. C. Harris, Washington Edu
cator, Will Study in Germany
Next Year At Retult
of the Award
Washington, D. C.—The coveted
traveling fellowship of $1,000 given
by the national organization of the
Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority has been
awarded to a Washington, D. C. edu
cator.
Miss Ethel C. Harris, head of the
department of mathematics in the
high schools of Division 10-13 was
awarded the sorority fellowship at
the annual meeting of the body at
Cleveland, O., two weeks ago. Miss
Harris will study in Germany next
year.
CLEVELAND HAS CIVIL
SERVICE COMMISSIONER
Cleveland, O.—The Negro citizen
ry of Cleveland is rapidly coming into
their own politically. Following
closely upon the election and seating
of three candidates in the city coun
cil, is the election of Harry E. Davis,
attorney and state legislator, to the
Civil Service Commission.
The election of Mr. Davis was made
possible when Councilmen E. J.
Gregg and Clayborno George joined
! hands with the “faithful twelve Re
publicans” of the city council in vot
ing for him.
FRENCH PRODUCER AGREES
TO STAGE NEGRO REVUES
New York—An announcement of
unusual interest was that made last
week to the effect that Maurice Gau
gin, noted theatrical impressario of
France, is enroute to America where
he plans to present a number of all
Negro revues in the large cities of
the each. Mr| Gaugin, it was learned
through his persinal representative,
George Morris, whose headquarters
are in New York City, will begin work
on his productions immediately upon
his arrival here.
EDITORIAL </"■
The commutation of the sentence of Sol Wesley from death
to life imprisonment will, we believe, meet with general ap
proval. Popular approbation of the action of the board of
pardons is attributable to several causes, chief of which are
the lapse of time between the commission of the crime and
the date set for the execution of the criminal ;and the revul
sion of feeling, justified by a righteously humane sentiment,
against the execution of an insane person.
Wesley, it will be recalled, and a companion in crime by
the name of Muldew, were convicted of murder in the first
degree five years ago, for the shooting and killing of a by
stander in holding up a grocery store. Both were sentenced to
be executed. Subsequently the supreme court reduced Mul
drew’s sentence to life imprisonment and reaffirmed the death
j penalty in the case of Wesley. Before the date set for Wesley’s
execution, he was declared insane and the death penalty sus
pended. Recently, being declared sane, a date was fixed for
carrying out the original sentence. Those close to Wesley, in
cluding Warden Fenton of the penitentiary; the prison chap
lain, the Rev. Mr. Maxwell, and if, we are not mistaken, sev
eral physicians, claimed that he was still insane, or of a “very
low mentality.” This lead to a vigorous protest against Wes
ley’s execution, from prominent people of both races, a protest
in which The Monitor joined. Several agencies were active
in requesting a commutation of sentence, among these being
the Omaha and Lincoln branches of the National Association
for the Advancement of Colored People and the Colored Min
isterial Alliance of Omaha. The chief credit, however, in our
opinion, should go to the Rev. O. J. Burckhardt, who, although
backed by the organizations named, has worked unremittingly
for nearly five years to have the sentence commuted. The
important fact is that by the commutation of the penalty to
life imprisonment the great commonwealth of Nebraska will
be freed from the stain of executing an insane man.
The ends of justice will be conserved and the public pro
tected, which is the chief consideration in the punishment and
incarceration of criminals, by life imprisonment, provided that
it IS imprisonment for life. The trouble is that life imprison
ment rarely means this. Increasing crime, which is becoming
a terrible menace to society in the United States, is due very
largely to inadequate punishment for crime by the carrying
out of sentences imposed by the courts.
If punishment is to be a deterrent for crime then the
United States must adopt the methods employed by England
and other European countries in dealing with crime. There
must be fair, speedy and just trials of the accused and prompt
execution of the sentence.
If Wesley be a mental defective as those who have exam
ined him claim he is, then the commutation of his sentence is
a justifiable act of mercy and as such is to be commended; but
we express the hope that no weak sentimentality in the lapse
of years will become operative to liberate him. He should
be confined for life in protection to society.
Sixteen Persons Get Harmon Awards
New York, N. Y. (By the Associ
ated Negro Press).—Four thousand
dollars in money accompanied by
gold and bronze medals were award
ed sixteen men and women in recog
nition of their creative work by the
Harmon Foundation. The awards
were announced last Monday and
gave recognition for achievements of
national significance in literature,
fine arts, business, including indus
try, education, music, science .and
religious service. Two awards were
made in each field, a first of $400
and a gold medal and a second of
$100 with a bronze medal. They are
to be presented in the home towns of
| recipients in public gatherings on
i Lincoln’s birthday, February 12.
First award in science went to
James A. Parson, jr. In describing
his work and those of the others who
received honor the committee said:
“James A. Parsons, jr., 27, chief
chemist and metallurgist of the Dur
iron company of Dayton, Ohio, was
given the first award in science for
special research in aluminum bronze,
his discoveries on corosion testing
and his development in duriron.
Through the interest of his present
employer in whose family his father
served as butler, he was able to at
tend and graduate from the Renes
selaer Polytechnic institute of Troy,
New York, where he specialized in
electro chemistry and electro metal
lurgy. He has developed a research
staff of five or six Negro experts
employed by the Duriron company.
There was no second award.
“Laura Wheeler Waring, a teach
er of art at Cheyney State Normal
school, Cheyney, Pa., was accorded
the first award in fine arts for a
group of paintings. Special mention
was made of the portrait of an old
Negro woman entitled ‘Anna Wash
ington Derry.’ J. W. Hardwick, 36,
of Indianapolis, Ind., received the
second award in fine arts for a group
of portrait studies. A special award
consisting of a gold medal was given
William Edouard Scott, 43, of Chi
cago, 111.
“One of the $400 and gold medal
awards in music was granted to R.
Nathaniel Dett, 45, musical director
of Hampton Institute, Va., for his
vocal and instrumental compositions.
The recipient of the other award of
$400 and gold medal was Clarence C.
White, 47, director of music, West
Virginia Collegiate institute, Insti
tute, W. Va., for his work as a violin
ist and a composer. J. Harold Brown,
Indianapolis, Ind., was given honor
able mention in music.
“The first award in religion was
accorded William N. DeBerry, 57,
pastor of St. John’s Congregational
church, Springfield, Mass., in recog
nition of his development of a model
Negro church as an outstanding ex
ample of what the church may mean
in group and community service. The
Rt. Rev. Re. E. Jones, 52, bishop
of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
New Orleans, La., was given the sec
ond award for his work in organizing
and furthering an educational, social,
and religious center and conspicuous
work as a religious editor. Honor
able mention was made of Dr. J. W.
E. Bowen, Atlanta, Ga., and Bishop
A. L. Gaines, Baltimore, Md.
“In education, John W. Davis, 39,
president of West Virginia Collegiate
institute, Institute, W. Va., received
the first award for his success in
building up a land grant college from
a secondary school to an institution
acknowledged as having college
standing. One of its features is its
full Negro faculty. It is the first
institution of its kind to be accepted
as a member of North Central Asso
ciation of Colleges and Secondary
Schools. The second award in edu
cation goes to Benjamin Brawley, 45,
professor in Shaw university, Raleigh,
N. C., for his work as a teacher of
English, his publications on Negro
life and on English literature. Hon
orable mention was made of Thomas
M. Campbell and Clinton J. Calloway,
both of Tuskegee institute. Dr. J. W.
E. Bowen, Atlanta, and Mrs. Althea
Edmiston, Nashville, Tenn., mission
continued on Page Three)
RACE WOMAN SITS IN WEST
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
Mr». E. Howard Harper Fill* the
Vacancy Created By Death of
Her Husband In Third
Term
Welch, W. Va.—When the House
of Delegates is called to order, Mrs.
E. Howard Harper, prominent West
Virginia Race woman, will occupy a
chair among the members. It will
mark the first time that a colored
American woman has filled an office
in a state legislature.
Mrs. Harper was recommended by
I the Republican executive committee
j to Governor Gore for appointment as
; a member of the House of Delegates
j to fill the vacancy created by the
recent death of her husband, Hon. E.
Harper. Governor Gore supported
: the recommendation, as required by
| a state law.
! Mr. Harper was one of the most
; popular members of the West Vir
| ginia House of Delegates. He was
serving his third term as legislator.
—
WHITE MAN SUES
FOR TEN THOUSAND;
CALLED A NEGRO
' It’s worth $10,000 for any white
1 man in Alabama to be colored. Yes,
: sir, strange as it may seem, it’s true
just the same. This fact was estab
j lished Friday when Alex De Fleron
| of Mobile, Alabama, sued the R. L.
| Polk Co., of Norfolk, Virginia, pub
| lishers of the Mobile City directory,
for $10,000 because he was errone
ously designated as “colored.”
Whether or not the designation re
sulted from the compiler of the di
rectory having seen De Fleron com
| ing out of the Negro section after the
shades of night had fallen or whether
he mistook one of those synthetic
“colonels” of the south, which is ab
, breviated just the same as the south
I ern white folks abbreviate the word
I colored, viz., “col.” to mean colored
! instead of colonel, is not known, but
| De Fleron thinks the designation is
worth $10,000 to him and is asking
the courts to help him collect it.
j
APPOINTS NEGRO DEPUTY
AS THE COUNTY CLERK
Louisville, Ky.—Among the many
political appointments already an
nounced is that of C. L. Grundy, a
young man who under the former
administration of Republicans, serv
ed as engineer in the Number 8 en
gine company. Mr. Grundy has been
appointed to a place in the county
clerk’s office as deputy county clerk.
Messrs. Page Hemphill and W. B.
Wood, former detectives, have been
restored to their places, also three
probation officers in the juvenile
court, two bath house attendants, one
police woman, and a number of men
in the custodian’s department of the
city hall and the street cleaning de
partment. It is expected that a num
ber of very important positions will
be named in the city health depart
ment.
KIP’S SISTER WILL
SUE FOR A DIVORCE
New York, N. Y.—The New York
American Monday says Mrs. Julien
St. Charles Chaqueneau, daughter of
Philip Rhinelander, and sister of
Leonard Kip Rhinelander, is plan
ning a suit for a divorce.
Her husband at the time of the
wedding six years ago was known as
John St. Charles Shackno, but upon
locating in Paris with his bride, he
changed his name to Chaqueneau.
His wife is now at the home of her
father here.
CAPITAL CITY STUDENTS
GAIN COVETED HONORS
Washington, D. C. — Francis Sy
phax, a graduate of the Dunbar High
school, class of 1922, has been ap
pointed literary editor of the Sed, an
nual student publication of Boston
University’s School of Education,
while Robert Weaver, of the class of
1925, was a member of the Harvard
debating team which recently defeat
ed Wesleyan.
WESLEY’S SENTENCE
COMMUTED TO LIFE
IN STATE PRISON
State Board of Pardons Stipulates
That Omaha Negro Shall Re
main in Penitentiary
For Life
Lincoln, Neb. — Sol Wesley, who
for more than five years has faced
death in the electric chair, now faces
life—life in the state penitentiary.
The state board of pardons Satur
day commuted Wesley’s death sen
tence to life imprisonment.
Clemency was granted Wesley,
who shot and killed Deerson during
the holdup of an Omaha grocery
store in 1923, because he was found
to be mentally incompetent. Three
state physicians told the board that
their examinations had convinced
them Wesley is a feeble-minded per
son with the mental capacity of a 6
year-old child.
No Parole
In the order granting the commu
tation the board recommends “that
no further pardon, commutation or
parole ever be granted him.”
The decision to grant the commu
tation was reached by the board in
less than two hours after the hearing
held at the penitentiary,
j “In granting this application,” the
board says, “we are doing so because
the record is overwhelmingly in favor
'of the commutation. There are no
protests.”
Had Hunch
Wesley7 r,hoif?h he'Tias been sullen
and unwilling to talk for several
years, must have had a hunch Satur
day afternoon that he was on the
verge of escaping the chair.
He seemed even anxious to answer
all questions put to him by members
of the board. And once a broad grin
spread over his dark countenance.
At all other times % however, except
when directly questioned, he sat
stooped far over, nervously clasping
and unclasping his hands. His face
was expressionless, but his blinking
eyes roved continually about the
room.
Governor Quizzes
In response to questions put to him
by Attorney General Spillman, Wes
ley said he had been born in Okla
homa and that he had reached about
the third grade in school.
Answering questions regarding his
life in Omaha, he told the board that
he had worked in several packing
houses, receiving $2 a day, and later
worked several months washing
dishes on a dining car.
Governor McMullen asked him if
he had quit the dining car job or had
been “fired.” At that Sol grinned
profusely and answered, “I quit.”
Justice Goss Speaks
Supreme Justice Goss told the
board that in his opinion too much
time had elapsed since W'esley was
first sentenced.
It is now nearly five years since
the crime was committed,” he said,
“and I believe it would leave a bad
taste in the mouths of the people of
the state to convict him now.
“If the law was such that the exe
cution could be carried out within
one year perhaps after the sentence,
I believe it would have the effect of
deterring others from committing
crimes,” he said.
Mental Condition
Judge Goss pointed out that Wes
ley’s attorney had not brought out
any evidence to indicate the mental
condition of Wesley at the time of the
trial. He expressed the opinion that
if such evidence had been presented
at the trial, a death sentence would
not have been recommended by the
jury.
He also expressed the opinion that
the supreme court would have com
muted the sentence if Wesley’s men
tal condition had been brought to its
attention.
He said he had learned, though not
authoritatively, that two of Wesley’s
sisters, his father, and his grand
father had been insane or feeble
minded.
“Every day is a holiday for the
man who likes his work."