New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-29
NEGROES IN COUNCIL.
A NON.POLITICAL CONFERENCE AT TUS
KEGEE FOR THE GOOD OF The RACE

NEGROES OF THE BLACK BELT CONSIDER THEIR
CONDITION AND THE MEANS OF IMrRov.
ING TIA PICTURESQUE AND Sue
GEsTIvE GATHERING.
Tusacsee. Ala Feb. o5.-The non-political negro
conference called by Booker T. Washington the coloed
nal of the Coorec Normal and Industrial school
In Tuskegee TO the significance and possible I'M
nortance of which The Tribune called attention in a
recent editorial was held on February 20. and was
full of unique interest. Four hundred and twenty
five negro farmers-a few ministers and teachers,
mechanics, tradesmen and lawyer or two among
assembled in response to Mr.. WashngtOns call.
representing the rank and file Of the population
of some fifteen counties of Aabama-the Black Belt
lin the heart of which tle Tuskegee school is situated.
In tile same desire securing free discussion land
the public assurance of i'll that obliged Nr. Smiley 70
leave the negro out Of his negro conference OF Northern
and Southern white men at Molonk Mr.. WaNh-
ncton's invitation not sent to southern men. The
negoes seemed to have hestancy IN expressing their
feelings and opinions, while differing sometimes
among themselves. few white visitors were present
TO observe and report proceedings Letters OF sym
patty with the conference read from cx Presi-
dent Rutherford b. Hayes, Albert X. Smiley, William
Y Harris, United States Commissioner OF Education
the Rev. DR.. Mayo. OF Boston, DR.. Lyman Abbott and
others.
Only one day could be allowed for this negro
"Mohonkn conference The men had left their ploughs
and driven their horses, mules or steers thirty miles
oyor the clay roads and slcws" OF the pair1es or
paid their IS or $40 for round trip in the jim Crow
car and all were entertained at the schools expense
Rrevity had, therefore to be the soul OF wit,
and all the chairman's powers were taxed 10
make as he put 1t i'll language his audience appre-
ciated-" every Rck COUNT lie stated the OBJECT oi
the meeting ito bring together in an Informal WHY
few representatives OF the body OF the coIofeo peo
pie living in the farming districts TO find out facts
ra1iC tlpts
Industrial to the end that we may better the cohuF
tions and attain better higher way Of living"
To guide the discussions, various declarations pre-
pared before were brought In by committee fo'
the evils suffered BY the negro race this document SUE
gested the following remedies: lst That as l as Po'
sible We aim to raise at home our own meat anu
bread I'd That a; far as possible we buy hnd'
even though a very few acres at time 3D. 1hat
larger number Of our young people be taneh. 'rue'
and that they be urged 10 prepare themselves 10 enter
as largely as possible all the various aVocauons Vi
Ufe 4th That we especially try to broaden 'le heiu
of labor for our women 9TH, That we make every
sacrifice and practise every form OF economy 1iaV
we may purchase land and free ourselves from our
burdensome habit OF living in debt. 9th, That we
nrc. our ministers and teachers give more at'en-
,iop TO the material condition and homeiife OF the
people. 7th. We urge that our people 90 not depehu
entirely upon the State to provide schooihVuses ara
enrthen the time of the schools. but that they take
off, and by experimenting the public funds from tcar
own rockets and by building schoolhouses, bring
about the desired results. eth We urge patrons 10
rive earnest attention to the mental and moral hthesS Oh
those who teach their schools. 9th That we urge te
doing away with all sectaran prejudice In the manage
men Of the schools. As the judgment OF this CONFER
ence We would further decsre That we put on recou
our deep sense Of gratitude TO the good people OF all
scons for their assistance and that we are giad u
recognize a growing interest on the part OF 'e oeS'
white people OF the South In the educauon Vi .ie
negro and that appreciate the spirit OF Hlcnoh-
ness and fairness shown us by the southern "hi'r
people in matters Of business in all lines OF macfihi
development
Afr Washington was elected president Of the con-
ference with q minister from Opelka as ylce-pres
dent and q Tuskegee graduate as secretary SUD
seouept count showed only twenty present under
twonty.fve years Of age who could read ana write.
The points Of the declarations were taken up snsy
A. 10 condition and as to harmony with the whites
1.-THE last census shows that the negroes In the BLACK
RAFT o,tnumber the whites three to one the question
was asked "Do you End less friction than ten years
sgof"
al great deal less" the report from BULLOCK
County. Some disagreed, but most agreed IN general
az 10 this new school law of Alabama was COM
plained Of, which sends the moneys TO the counuee
for disbursement and division, and another, winch I'll
yides school moneys half and half between whte ana
colored In the country districts. where the oacKs
this operates against them The Rev. elias Jones' Vi
Mt Meigs near Tuskegoe, found some advantage oven
I'm this and reported At Mt. Melgs tbe county
has been paying 500 for our school. Recently t's
was taken away. The people called meeting ana
,sl.sd II ALI themselves. When thoy give more they
have more interest in the school. As 10 tle "hl'o
neon,e 7 find that whenever ooloreo man shows ne
means bpsiness the white respects him.
on.ned a little store, and afraid l might lose
friends by IL. One white man said: NOnH cut ino
our trade some, but you've got as much right as any Oh
NJ Go ahead, We wanted TO build a church. One
white merchant gave us 500 another and another nave
helped. In Calhoun We needed school. went
ot.ont among the white peope. One man SAID III
rive YOU land. How much do you want' saio rh
acres All right found some Northern fiiehos W
help. and the building is going up. Tnen "heh Ihose
white ladies came from the North, who are gong
10 teach 1t MISS Thorn and Miss Dillingham; rom
Hampton Institute, whose project The tribune mas
Kindly poticed) I went around and asked the whito
neope TO take care OF them while they were mere anu
they said Yes indeed, and they were cared or nho
any Southern white ladies. Those who MAKO "O"oi0
for us are not the best people
aDo Won think white sentiment is growing In our
favor or not IN asked the oolored lawyer
aWelI some things written on the lines ana
some things are written between the lines read no.
on the lines hut between the lines, and there ma
TINT there is n growing sentiment Ia the "hi0s I'D
favor AZ the negro They know we're here 10 sl's
and are To be q power. What l read between tie
lines il that the white man wants better negro
@Has the white man decided that education is what
will make better negro?'
Between the lines. he has, daughter al" Sp
plause)
The second point Of the declarations was as 70 u,s
ot,s y, tho mortgage system and debt. Good points
w.ro rads NV MIR. Logon, farmer from Macon
roun,v with strong. common-sense face. MY
pcope. you know enough to look ont when you're u"
r,llroad track to see II the engine is coming 10"
dop,t look ahead to see when mortgage or waive ho'e
(. going to run you. fou go 10 "n''e man anu
say to him: u want TO borrow some Ho"'. 80