The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-17
NEGRO DAY AT THE BIG SHOW.
EVERY EFFORT TO BE MADE TO
DRAW OFT 4 BIG CROWD.

Thirty-Five Leading CoIOred Wen OF
Atlanta Meet with the Exposition
DirectOrs-The Negroes Express
Their Satisfaction with Their
Generous Treatment by the Expo
Company-A Series of Resolutions
Adopted.
Atlanta. Ga, Dec. 16.-This afternoon
thirty-hve leading colored citizens OF Al
lanta met by invitation with the board
of directors at the exposition in the di-
rectors' room, and the matter Of setting
aside Dec. rs as Negro day was thorough
~ discussed. The proposition met with
favor and several of the cOlored men
made strong speeches in favor Of it,
The matter was explained by II. N. At
kinson Of the directors, who stated that,
as this exposition had given a separate
building TO the negro exhibit. and had
thus given them a recognition and an op~
portunity which no exposition had az
forded. it was thought proper to set apart
a special day, TO be called Negro day.
Speeches were made by ". a. Pledger,
a colored lawyer; Rev. A. A. Flpper,
William Finch and c. G. Wimbish.
Talks were also made by Gen. C.. =.
Evans, ex-Gov. z. B. Bullock and Capt.
J. W. English of The exposition directory.
A very cOrulal feeling between the white
and colOred leaders was manifested.
l. Garland Penn, chief of the negro de-
partment, made a ringing speech, in which
he said that the liberal treatment of the
exposition management in furnishing d
separate building for the negro eXhlbi;
and The generous treatment which the
negro mad received mere We're deserNlnS
OF the Endorsement of the race, and he
wished that Endorsement to be given by at
least 10000 people through their presence
on Negro day.
W. \. Pledger said in his remarks that
this exposition had done more Tor the
negro than anything since his emancl-
S NJ Inman, chairman of the finance
committee, said that including the cost
Of the building and a fair proportion OF
expenses, the expenditures of the negro
department by the exposition had
amour ed to $4,000
The following resolutions, moved by
Bishop Gaines, were unanimously
Whereas, The Cotton States and Inter-
national Exposition. held in this city,
has set apart the 10Th of December as the
day upon which the colored people at
large are urged to visit the exposition
ana see the wonderful display OF the re-
sources of the country, and of our race
in particular; and
Whereas, The said exposition has been
liberal in the grants made and the oppor-
tunities given our race TO vindicate their
claims as progressive citizens.
Resolved, That we heartily indorse the
pIppOSlllOI lOI the -uAils dS d SeitItl race
day, and unite with the exposition com
pany in the request that all white and
colored, be requested TO give their col
ored servants a holiday on that day and
aid them in attending the exposition.
We unheSitaungly affirm and express
our hope in the greatest possible good 10
come out of the exposition for our race,
and call upon our race everywhere to
take advantage of the liberal rates to see
q magnificent exhibit of their achieve
ments. and prophecy of greater posi-
biiities.
w. A. Pledger's motion that COM
mittee of seven be appointed to bring Wis
itors into Atlanta for Negro day, was
adopted.
Upon resolution Of Mr.. Atkinson the
whole matter of arranging the programme
and conducting the exercises for Negro
day was referred to the colored citizens
present. The directors then withdrew
and left the colOred men to organize sub
committees for each feature of the day
There will be Colored Educational day
Colored Commissioners day, Fred Doug
las day, Colored Farmers day, Colored
Business Mems day, Colored Mechanics
day and Colored BARRIERS day