The state journal., 1884-03-29
HOWARD'S LETTER.
The Proposed Pittsburg Confer
ence-M. S. Quay Club-And
Social Matters.
Philadelphia.

~ De helu III IltlsOufg next mohtn
My reasons are manifold. In the first
place, the instigators of the confer
ence are not what they claim to be.
They claim to be working in the in
terest Of the race, when in fact they
are only working in their own inter
est, and for their own gain. In the
second place, the selection of the re-
preventative men are not representa-
tive, as the names of those invited
from this city will show. In the next
place, why are the representatives
from different cities selected by the
committee? Is it possible that the
committee, being strangers in larger
portion Of the cities to be represented,
are more capable of selecting the re-
preventative men from said cities than
citizens Of those places? Would it
not be just and proper to let the peo-
pie select their choice from their own
cities than to allow the committee to
do SO? Now, knowing. as I do, the
persons selected to represent the in
telligent people Of this city, would it
become me to assent to their choice
and ackno Wedge them as men who
will express my sentiments, and act
in the interests of the colored race,
when they are known 10 work only in
their own interest, no matter how
mean or degrading they may have to
be, to attain their own ends? / am
not opposed to conferences as gen
eral thing, but TO this particular one
| am, as | believe it is a movement
Of few political sharps, who desire
to attain prominence through the ig-
norance or short sightedness of the
colored people. If a conference can
be arranged where we can have the
representative men at, then / am for
it heart and hand, and would do all
that lay in my power to aid them
but to this proposed conference no.
The fourth annual reception of the
BARRIERS Mutual Aid Association was
given at Horticultural Hall, on Thurs
day evening, and was the largest and
one of the finest this winter. Music
for promenading was furnished by the
Philadelphia Band, from eight to
eleven O'clock, after which Prot. F. J.
II. Jones Orchestra furnished music
for dancing. The grand march was
the most pleasing effect of the even
ing, being composed of over three
hundred persons, under the leadership
OF Prot. James Augustus, whose con-
summate skill guided the many cou
pies through the intricate maze with
an ease that is to be envied. The
refreshment room under the manage
ment Of Mr.. VIM. l.. Price, was well
conducted, and was a valuable aid to
the success of the reception. Much
praise is due the excellent committee
for their earnest and successful en-
deavors for the reception. The COM
mittee were, David Woodson, chair
man, II. w. Brown, J. NJ. Berry, L.
j. Richardson, N. Miles, M. Fassitt
and F. w. Sheldon.
A complimentary concert and mask
reception to Unity Lodge, No. III,
G. u. o. of o. f., will be given at
Musical Fund Hall, on Thursday
evening next, and promises to be a
grand success. The celebrated Gil
bert family will assist.
The knowledge that Hon. J. D.
Lewis would deliver a lecture before
Bethel Literary, had the effect OF fill
ing the lecture room of the church by
those desiring TO hear him speak.
Mr.. Lewis read for his subject
Church and State" which he han
died in an interesting manner. Owing
to the lateness of the hour when Mr..
Lewis concluded, the Association
| were unable TO conclude the debate
which merged from last week, but
will continue Tuesday evening.
Notwithstanding the boasted friend
illness Of the "City of Brotherly
Love" ~ for the negro, there seems
| to remain a portion who have no
more good feeling for a colored per-
son than existed some years ago. Not
long ago it was not safe for colored
person to 60 in certain portions OF the
city without his being attacked, and
the same spirit still exists, as the ex-
ample of last Sunday proves. On
Sunday afternoon Post 80, G. A. H.,
attended the funeral of one of their
members, and on their return the
Post was pelted by gang of white
ruffians, who were lying in wait, with
stones, bricks and other missiles, and
then indiscriminate firing of revolvers,