Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-27
POLICE AND THE COLOR LINE.
"A Proposed Appeal of the Citizens Pro-
tective Association to the President.

THE MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION LAST EVEN
lNG-REPoRT OF THE COMMITTEE TO WAIT on
INSTRUCT ATTORNEY HoGE IN REGARD TO THE
CLUBBING OF SAMUEL HUTCHINSON.
There was a meeting of the Citizens Protec-
tive Association at the Second Baptist Church
(colored) last evening. The president of the
association, Mr.. J. Wesley Cromwell was in
the chair and Miss Florence Smith was secre-
tary. The meeting was opened with prayer by
the Rev. ". b. johnson, pastor of the church
The business before the association was the re-
port of the committee of fifteen appointed to
wait on District Attorney Hoge in reference to
the case OF Samuel Hutchinson, who, it is al
legged, was dubbed by Policeman Dean of the
second precinct.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
The report made was as follows: I'VE called
on Judge Hoge at his Office last Friday and the
facts in the Hutchinson case were presented by
Rev. W. b. johnson in forcible and telling
manner. The president (Mr. CromwelD sug-
gested to Judge Hoge that furnish the
names of the witnesses and what we expect to
prove by each of them. Such information was
furnished and sent to the District attorney on
Monday Your committee was kindly received
by the District attorney and every assurance
made 20 them that justice would be melted out
be carefully looked into. Your committee left
with the belief that the officer would be brought
to trial. X. ID. RUFFIN, Chairman"
CONFIDENCE IN JUDGE MILLER.
In presenting the report Chairman Ruffin
said he thought that the policeman would be
brought to trial, which was all that was asked
He said he had implicit confidence in Judge
Miller. who, he knew, would fairly hear the
case and decide it according to the law and
evidence Judge Miller. he SAID. differs
with me politically, but would vote for him
before I would vote for host Of those of my
own political belief"
PROPOSED APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT.
Col. Arnold presented paper addressed to
the President Of the United States. which was
read to the association. After defining the
composition OF the police force the paper says:
80 palpably wrong has been the conduct of
members of the police force toward colored
men and women that it has been remarked that
nowhere in the south would the colored people
have Jared worse or been treated more like
brutes. MIR. President we are aware that there
can be no such thing In this country as an
post facto law. We ask you, in whom we have
as we have IN the American people, great faith;
you, who said in your inaugural address, The
mill fires were lighted at the funeral pile Of
slavery; the emancipation proclamation
heard In the earth as well as in the sky; men
were made free and material things became
our better servants, to call the attention of the
Department of Justice to the complaint we
make. and We feel assured that there will be
no further occasion for us to tax your time
with grievances of this nature. When Mr.. Lin
coin was President he heard and needed our
applications. When Gen. Grant was there
our voices found a listening ear. In conclusion,
MIR. President, We know how we are discrimi-
mated against in the church, the college, the
hotel, the railroad and in business pursuits
Time will regulate that and other race prob
lens, but we sOlemny protest against the dis
elimination toward our race by the police
force of this city,"
After brief discussion the paper was re-
ferred to the committee on grievances.
STORY OF COLORED STUDENT FROM TEXAS.
MIR. Walker. colored college student from
Texas. related his experience with Policemen
Grant in Mount Vernon Park Wednesday night
He said he was arrested by the policeman for
sitting on a bench i'll the park and taking up
too much room. When arrested the police
man said. Il guess you won't attend another in
case was tried IN the Police Court yesterday
the charge was dismissed.
The president of the association was in
s;ructed to attend the meeting of Baptist min
listers next Monday and request the ministers
to give notice of the associations meetings in
their respective churches. BY vote of the
association 1t was decided to extend invitations
to the Hons. b. X. Bruce, John X. Lynch, Rev.
Walter II. Brooks and John +. Cook to be pres
ent and address the next meeting.