The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-19
CARS FOR COLORED PEOPLE.
Resolutions Adopted Last Evening by
POYhatan Club.
TO EMPLOY WHITE TEACHERS ONLY.
The Race Question Warmly Discussed by the
Members-Report of the Building and
Barbecue Committees.

A called meeting Of the Powhatan Club was
held last evening at the club-room. Mr..
James f. Flournoy presided in the absence Of
Alr. Preston Belvin
Colonel Bigger stated that President Belvin
was absent for the first time during three
years. The sickness of one his children
had made it necessary for him to remain at
home on bis farm.
Commonwealth s-AttorneY Smith stated on
behalf Of the building committee that the
latter asked to be excused from making
definite report a; this time. but they would be
ready 10 do so at the next meeting. Every
thing went on nicely. and he would assure the
meeting that within SIX months the CLUB
would either have a building Of It's own or be
IN the possession OF rented quarters fully
adapted TO the purpose
Mr. katter was anxious 70 obtain some
definite information. but the club granted the
request of the committee.
No report was received from the committee
on constitution and bylaws. the chairman,
Major Dinneen. being absent 1t was stated
that a committee meeting had been called tor
the previous evening, but no business could
be transacted. the chairman not being
present.
THE BARBECUE.
Mr.. John Harwood. as chairman of the bar
Decue committee, reported that all arrange
ments for the picnic Of the club at Mr.: Pres
ton Belvins stock farm, Acca, on July 4th,
had been completed. lie assured the MEN,
bers that the affair would be decided success.
Mr.. Jefferson Wallace offered resolution
providing for the appointment OF a committee
of three. who shouldrequest the several street
car companies of this city and Manchester 70
set special cars aside for the travel OF colored
10 lie TO 10 ~ oil
outside as such. This resolution brought
forth a good deal of discussion.
Mr.. Ferrlter objected TO the resolution, ex-
planning that in his opinion the club had
nothing TO do with the question whether or
not the white residents and cOlored people IN
this city should ride IN separate street cars.
Mr.. II. NJ. Smith, Jr.. thought 1t would not
do for the club TO undertake 10 put an OBJ
stace to the advance of civilization. The
resolution. if passed. could not accomplish
anything, because it could not be enforced by
the club. In medding with this matter the
dub was treadlng on dangerous ground. and
it would be better to leave the matter alone.
Mr.. Wallace thought that a good precedent
existed in tho fact that IN play-houses the two
races were kept separate. ond 1t was no more
than right and due to the white population
10 enforce a similar rule in the public trafhc
in this city. He took the ground that it was
very becoming to the club to take some decl-
sive steps IN this matter.
IN THE PLAY-HoUsEs.
Mr.. Ferriter pointed out that in the play
houses such a rule had already been III exist
ence while the resolution only endeavored TO
introduce il in the street-cAr traffic. He
thought the club had no right To NEEDLE with
the affair. but all it could do was 20 appoint
committee TO confer with the railroad authori-
ties in order to ascertain what could be done
III the matter.
Mr.. Smith stated that this was one of the
civil rights cases which was very difficult to
settle, and in which the best legal talent OF
the United States had been engaged without
success IL the resolution was passed the
club would not have the power to carry it out.
Colonel John Bell Bigger grew rather warm
and reminded the club that 10 was no Oppres-
sion to ask the coored people to take their
proper places by occupying separate cars.
He was fully convinced that in advocating
such measure he only voiced the sentiments
of all the white ladies OF this city, every one
Of whom at one time or another had been
grossly insulted and Disguised by the out
rageOus conduct Of some OF the coOred
passengers on street-cars. He was positive II
there should be n restaurant IN the vicinity OF
the clubhouse where negro was allowed
to sit down to a table with white people the
club would promptly resent such action by
withdrawing its patronage from such place.
He was heartily IN favor OF taking some action
10 protect ladies against any further annoy
ances on stTeet-cars.
IN OTHER STATES.
Mr.. Wallace thought that it would be ex-
pedient for the club 10 take the initiative in
the matter. Such "A step would also be per
fectly legal, for in other States, for instance
III Tennessee. similar provisions had been
made Furthermore, the club would be per-
fectly able to see that such a measure was
carried through, as for years the Democracy
Of Tins State as well as elsewhere in the South
l.. al in Tho 1rory Of tho color limo
Mr.. Smith insisted thatit would be impolltIc
and not do the club any good 10 press the
resolution However, he was In favor that a
law be passed by the Legislature giving the
mOtormen and conductors on electric cars the
power of policemen, and he recommended
that committee be appointed to accomplish
that end
The chairman and others related a num-
Der of instances where negroes had insulted
white passengers of either sex on the cars.
Mr. Hughes thought that if the initiative in
the matter was taken by the POwhatan Club
il would at once be heartily Endorsed by the
Chamber of Commerce and other organlza-
tons. The resolution was finally adopted
with only two dissenting votes.
ONLY WHITE TEACHERS.
City-Sergeant Gates offered resolution
requesting the City School Board urgently,
TO only appoint white teachers IN pub
lie schools and that a committee of nj
teen be appointed by the Chair 10 lay
the matter before the School Board.
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
The Chair appointed the following members
of that committee President Preston Beyin.
Colonel john Bell Bigger David s. Gates.
John II. Wilks, DIR. Ben Harrison. Judge S. b.
Witt. Sergeant Hicks, II. NJ. Smith. Jr., ".
y. Courtney. James Il. Ferriter, lily Berger,
CAPTAIN Alex. Coke JEFF Wallace c. Il. Wingo,
julius A. Hobson.
A motion 10 have the Chair appoint the
committee who are to wait on the railroad
company was lost by tie vote, the Chair de
Gliding that President Belyin should make the