The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-04
TWO CLASSES OF CARS.
THE COLoRED MEN HEARD BY THE
COMMISSION.

ATLANTA, GA, April 3.-lhe railroad
Commissioners met this morning to hear
the committee of colored citizens asking
that two systems of fare and accommoda-
tions be instituted on the railroads.
The committeeman were the following
S. W. Easley, w. A. Pledger, w. j. White,
Elder ". J. Gaines, Z. p. Holmes, j. T.
White, T. NJ Robinson, J. w. Marlowe, j.
c. Byron, r. NJ Logan, A. S. Thurman, A.
f. Williams, E. j. Williams and Rev. C. S.
Upshaw.
The following railroad men were present:
J. A. McDufie, General Passenger Agent of
the Brunswick and Western; w. p Har-
dee, General Passenger Agent of the Savan-
nah, FLORIDA and Western; James /. Taylor,
General Passenger Agent of the Richmond
and Danville; l.. L. McClesky, of the Rich
mond and Danville; Maj. w. j. Green
General Manager of the Georgia; G. S.
Phnizy, President of the Georgia; b. w.
Wrenn, of the East Tennessee, Virginia
and Georgia; G. A. Whitehead, General
Passenger Agent of the Central.
Maj. Wallace called the commission to
order.
The Secretary read Prof. Whites letter,
asking audience for the colored peoples
committee 10 present their request for the
establishment of first and second class rail
roed fares on the railroads, so that colored
people might take their choice of first or
second class accommodations and pay
cordingly.
THE GRIEVANCE.
The grievance is stated as follows:
Tour petitioners respectfully show that,
although composing nearly One-half of the
citizens of the State, they are compelled in
travelling from place to place to pay for
their ira lspOrtation as much as others, yet
on account of their race, color, or previous
condition OF servltude, they are coerced
into acceptance of inferior, inadequate and
uncomfortable accommodations.
PROF. WHITES ADDRESS.
When this brief was read, Prof. White
rose and read his address. He read it well,
and his argument evidently had its effect
on the commission.
At the outset, Mai Wallace stated that
the commission had nothing TO do with the
question of color or previous condition of
slrvltude, but 1t was proper f''' it to con
slider whether tn -, was any discrimination
against any class OF citizens.
Prof. White said in rep.y that he wanted
it d., ,s-rtlT understood that his committee
haC lot come to seek social equality, but to
secure equal accommodations. In speaking
of the railroads, he said that he was ready
10 bear testimony to their liberality and
readiness to assist IN public enterprises He
but a difference. The filst-c ass fare might
be increased to 3l3c and second-cass put
at &c, as il is in South Carolina. He knew
that tHe railroads ought to make dividends
and he did not ask reduction He did not
object to separate cars for white and col
ored people If the accommodations were
equal, but he thought that would involve
such additional expense that the railroads
would not. be able to do the bust
ness for even the present rate of
Sc. He said that he did not
think the good white people of Georgia
would object to the system, and that on all
roads entering Augusta but two the two
class system was in operation, and it works
smoothly.
AN ELDERS EXPERIENCE.
Elder w. j. Gaines followed and de-
scribed an experience he had while in charge
OF a party OF ten color ed girls on train
between Albany and Blakely. He said that
in the other end of the same car some men
were using prOfane and vulgar language,
end when lie shut the door of the partition
TO keep the girls from hearing the blasphemy
one of the drinking men opened the door
aud said; That preacher is too modest
Again, when he got on a train be-
tween Albany and Smithville drinking
men came into the car where the girls were.
IL applied to the conductor to know if we
could not get rid of that"
Take your seat said he, eff you don't
like 1t YOU can get out"
Elder Gaines said that on the Georgia
road when he took his seat in q first. class
car the conductor said There will be a
crowd on al the next station: they will fix
you" That's the way they do u.s." said
tile elder They telegraph ahead and get
+, ughs to come in -
When Prof. White said that he would not
object to separate cars for negroes if they
were as good as the cars of the white peo-
pie, Elder Gaines said: Brother White, if
you could possibly keep the white folks
out"
MR.. TAYLoR's ATTITUDE.
When the colored delegates were through
Maj Wallace asked the railroad men if any
of them had anything TO say. For almost
minute there was pause. No one seemed
anxious To be the first to speak. Mai Wal
lace asked James i. Taylor, of the Rich
mond and Dauville railroad, if he would
give his views Mr.. Taylor said that what
be would say would not be from
mature consideration of the subject He
had listened with a great deal of interest &c
the argument OF Prof White, and he con.
sidered it an able one. He thought the
two class system was working satisfactorily
to the railroads and the people in Soutl
Carolina. He would not oppose il at pres
ent, but would suggest that any action
ought to be after very deliberate considera.
the commission to raise the first class rat(
little if q second class rate should be estab
lished.
Mr. Hardee, Of the Savannah, Florids
and Western road stated that if person
irrespective of color. was decent and be
have himself he was allowed to ride in any
car on his road but if he did not behave
himself he WINS excluded
That's right, " said Pledgef
That's right" echoed Elder Gaines
b. w. Wrenn said that any well behaved
man was allowed to ride in a first-class car
on his road, and he objected TO the secono
class fare, because it would reduce the in
come of the road. He told the colored mer
that his road intended TO obey the law, ant
that if they would report violations TO hi
office he would right them.
MAI. GREENS REPLY.
Mai J. w. Green, of the Georgia road
said that he had not intended to say any
thing, but the Georgia road had beer
singled out for attack and he would correc
these improper statements. He SAID hi
read gives substantially the same accommo
dations to colored people as TO white people
but he thought it best that they be sepsr
ated
"Do men drink in the ladies carp aslec
Etdo,. {. aipDc