The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-29
I'VE MfssIsstpnI NEnRo.
EE-Ceneree LTueh Thinhs ne Hss I.ost
Ground During the Past Ten Years.

Ground Durins ths Past Ten Years.
| WASHINGTON. Jan. 2s-Ex Congressman
John X Lynch, one OF tho abIsst and best
| known colored men In the country. spends
most OF his time in Washington. where he has
law Office and IL President Of the Capital
Savings Bank. Mr.. Lynch keeps up his Missis-
slpDi interests being largely engaged in the
| farming industry He il man OF large wealth.
lie has Just returned from a long visit to his
farm In Mississippi and to other points in the
South. When | ask ed him 10 tho negroes OF
the lover Mississippi Valley one OF the most
densely populated regions in the country had
improved in their material condition since the
war. he said.
answer, In general sense. in the Aff1rmn-
tive; but the Improvement among tho colored
people has boon. relatively. about in proportion
to that OF tho whites. During tho past ten years
there has been what may he called general
paralysis OF the agricultural industries ~ the
South. resulting from the low price uf cotton,
which 10 the principal product OF the Missis-
sippi delta. The price Of cotton Is now between
six and seven cents pound for middlnR cot
ton, whercns. about eight years ago. It brought
from nine to ten cents pound. While this de-
preston, resulting from the falling of in the
price OF cotton, has produced the para ysis to
which have alluded, ! think It Is felt TO
greater extent among the whites than with the
blacks. because the capital Is furnished by tho
whites. while the labor is furnished by the
blacks"
Mr.. Lynch. what in your opinion IL the
cause Of the decline in agricultural values"
The present tariff agitation has think
more to do witt It than anything else Prior
to the passage Of the Mckinley bill tho Amer
lean manufacturers consumed ouly about 20
per cent OF the American yield Of cotton. As
al. eli 49, L., 80 ~,
gresham Burrows on the Wilson bill. fcw
days ago, the consumption OF raw cotton BY
the American manufacturers. under the Nc.
kinley bill, had reached nearly 20 per cent. o.
the American product. and that too In spite OF
large importations OF cotton from abroad.
which. OF course. comes IN free q duty, My
opinion Ia that II the Mckinley bill should he
allowed to stand The consumption OF raw cot
ton by the American manufacturers would in
The American Yield while II the Wilson hiii
should pass yer, much doubt II 1t will reach
DO you lind any .npprecinble Improvement
Il the material condition Of tho blacks of the
the abolition OF slavery and 1854 there was
marked Improvement. During the past ten
years, however there has been no material
IMPROVEMENT for the reasons stated In other
words, the masses OF the two races in that seq
uon 81 ne country instead Of improving ma.
more marked among tho whites than among
the blacks. Cor the reason that the white mans
losses sustained by the blacks as a mass have
been in .t the depIecistion q the value OF their
and II therefore takes less to support them and
their families"
" DO you lind that the execution al individuals.
who constitute the progressive element In
every population. are maintaining their proper
Il answer yes" said Mr. Lynch Tho
number 81 black men who are exceptions to the
general rule Is about the same that among
the whites. IL not in greater proportion; that
is to say mon who are getting up in the world.
who are becoming property owners and tax
morals and in religion The Inherent educa:
tiopal institutions in the South. maintained
for Afro. american youths: ! tind are contrib.
on my way to Washington at Tallelega College.
American Home Mission Society. was
agrecably surprised TO discover what a wonder |
which. OF course. is only one Of many. What |
commended this institution to me more than
has. for instance, printing department. a |
cnrpentering department. sewing depart |
m emit aud IN agricultural DEPARTMENT Whom |
institutions, as they are doing every year. they |
enrich the. communities Into which ,they. 60. |
acquired in those Industries which are the |
life Of the communities. Indeed. / am glad to
cy OF education In the South has been changed,
largely from mental to industrial training.
conductors OF these Institutions have become
convinced that what their students iced m ost
R Row tn the social conditions with which they
the mqnisasent Heq ucsts for lndHs rial training
whom devoted million dollars to this pur-
pose; The benefits previously derived from
Is It true. as has often been said. that a
largo percentage OF the criminals in the South.
WSo hsTe hnd naSE men aRd
erai education p asked.
. 1t certainly Is not true" said MIR. Lynch.
not enjoyed these advantages; they are people
who are not only ignorant but whose sur
roneous ideas and vicious habits. The edu-
'ated classes. with now aud then an exception.
shin. They branch out into the professions-
such as lawyers, doctors. dentists merchants.
'chool teachers and preachers many others
Dlasterers. and bakers"
Do you lind that the relations OF the two
In answer to that question / will say that
here is no material change. for the reason that
genuine an tipathies between the races as the
public has been led 70 believe. The truth Is,
az SGS so called could b
loon learn that this so-called race problem
iss absolutely nothing upon which to stand.
aces are as cordial and helpful as they ever
nave been. Those who Justify and excuse the
domination in the south Know Very We'll that Thai
I elections were fair and returns were honest.
while Democrats would be defeated In many
Instances. black men, except in rare instances.
you'd not be elected"
II is a singular fact that Washington con-
aims by far majority OF the Afro Americans
Who were once eminent In Southern politica
AMONG them arc an Ex-Governor OF Louisiana
N OK nited states Senator from Mississippi, |
eyerAl ex-CoDgressmsn, and a whole raft OF
X mem bers OF Legislatures Most OF them
re taking life easy; some OF them are rich
men and maintain splendid and expensive
stab shmentS They find the atmosphere
nd the society 81 Washington congeniai and
elght to live over in conYeTsatlon the times
tter the war" when the bottom rail was on |
or and they controlled the destinies Of Sow
reign States Otherwise. OthellO's occupA-
ion gone" Will il ever return
4. THOMAS FORTUNE. |