The Washington times., 1895-02-11

upOu Iut SCdouOfS, duu us IL 10 Win oOhlO VI
them a question of "If [ don't you shan't"
there is possibility that this contest will end
as many contests for Offices have among the
colored politicians-in a victory ior the
enemy
Washington alone has four aspirants for the
place, including Rev. Il. G. o. Benjamin, OF
Alexandria, Va. who is having his candidacy
looked after by the Alexandria Leader, q
weekly paper published by the colored ele-
ment in that city. Then there are Rev. DR..
Alexander Crummell, who recently retired
from ministerial work in this city after fifty
years service; Rev. DR.. Walter Brooks, the
pastor of tho Nineteenth Street Baptist
Church, the largest colored church here, and
Rev. DR.. j. I. Jennifer, the able pastor OF the
Metropolitan 4. NJ. L. Church. the leading
colored church of that denomination In the
country.
no CoLoBED CHAPLAIN.
There never has been a colored chaplain of
the House of Representatives, and although
the old rules of. the House provided that all
ministers of this city should be invited in
alphabetical order to open the sessions of the
House with prayer, yet the colored brethren
were reiigiousiy Disseminated against.
There has been only one instance in the his
tory OF the government when colored man
invoked divine blessings upon the House.
and he was the late DR.. Henry Highland
Garnet, n compeer OF DIR. Alexander Crum-
nell. and, like him. recognized as one OF the
ablest theologians of the negro race.
In addition TO the Washington contingent,
Rev. DIR. William B. Derricks of New YORK.
secretary Of the home and foreign mission
airy department, has been fayorablY spoken
OF in connection with the chapiaincy, as well
as other able divines from various sections of
the pOuntrY The POlnrpI thrOnUnOnt
the country is camoring for this place as
recognition of service rendered. and as each
paper has its own candidate. tn re is no soli-
darty among them and the colored brethren
may lose their selected plum.
The position of chaplain pays $500 salary,
with other perquistes. Since the law passed
by the Forty-third Congress making the office
a saaried one there have been some spirited
contests for the place. II is the duty of the
chaplain to open the sessions of the House
with prayer each morning. The prayers Of
the chaplain are usually OF two minutes dura-
ton, and frequently other cIergvmen are
designated by the chaplain of the House to
officiate.
PRESENT ISCUMBENTs.
Rev. W. II. Milburn, the blind chaplain.
officiated in the Forty-ninth and Fiftieth
Congresses. and although the Fiity-first Con-
gress was Republican, after a long contest,
which was led in his favor by Congressman
Cheadle, OF Indiana. Chaplain Milburn WAS
elected over Rev. G N. Ramsdell, OF the Dis
trict OF Columbia, the caucus member OF the
Republican party. He also served in the
Fiity-second Congress. and was elected chap
lain of the Senate in the present Congress.
being succeeded in the House chaplaincy by
Rev. Mr.. Bagby OF Virginia.
The fight for the place in the coming Con-
gresS promises to be the most interesting in
the history of the government. The different
colored men who are aspirants for the place
have begun their canvass already. The col
ored divines who have churches in Washing
ton are sure that the place will come to one
OF them. The men here who have been most
favorably mentioned for the place include
some of the abest ministers in this city, and
as for that in the country.
Rev. DR. Alex. Crummell, the former rector
of the ST. Lukes Protestant Episcopal Church.
is an acknowledged leader of his race from
theological standpoint. He has been fifty
years in the ministerial work. and recently
celebrated his golden jubilee. He is one of
the most scholarly men of the colored race,
and is the author OF america and Africa.
He has Travelled extensively in Africa and
Europe, and has been the CUES. of the
crowned heads OF Europe. He numbers
among his friends the most able men OF both
races and although past three score years
speaker. He has been priest in Washing
ton for twenty-six years, and his friends have
great confidence that he will be the chaplain
OF the next House.
AN AFRICAN METHODIST LEADER.
Rev. DIR. ]. T. Jenniler, who is also favor
ably named, is the pastor of the Metropolitan
A. NJ. E. Chur, h, of Washington, and he has
filled some of the best positions in the gift of
his church. The degree OF Doctor of Divinity
was conferred upon him by Wilberforce Uni
versity in 1875. He was secretary of the Ar
kansas conference for eight years, and wrote
brief history OF African Methodism in Ar
kansas and in the Indian Territory. While
at Little Rock he was member of the exam
lining committee of the public sch ools, and
succeeded in getting colored teachers ap-
pointed in those schools. In 1881 he was
transferred to the New England Conference
by Bishop Turner, and was stationed at the
Charles Street Church in Boston. He served
the Boston church for Elk years He is an
Odd Fellow ana belongs to the Masonic Or
der He now officiates as the pastor of the
Metropolitan A. NJ. E. Church, of Washing
ton, the largest congregation in the African
NJ. E. connection.
Rev. Walter ii. Brooks D. D., pastor of
the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, is also
a candidate for the Office. He has the largest
congregation among the colored people in
Washington. He has among his audience
frequently members Of Congress, and his SER
mons are always of high order. All of the
colored Baptist preachers are for him, and he
will be supported by the members of the
Baptist Ministers Union, which is composed
OF all the preachers of that denomination in
Virginia, Maryland, and the District of
Columbia. He enjoys the personal acquaint-
ance of many members of the next House.
and starts out in the contest we'll backed.
VERSATILE MAN.
Rev. r. G. O. Benjamin, lawyer. editor.
clergyman, is being named by the Virginia
Leader for that place. The history of Rev.
r. C. O. Benjamin is unique one He has
filled many positions in the gift OF his people
and has done yoeman service for his party.
He.is the author o. several books. has taken
part in. many legal contests has written
poetry, edited a newspaper and preached the
Gospel
He is now practicing law in Rhode Island.
and is the president of a large association
which is interested in the amelioration of the
condition of the colored people. His friends
are now urging him for the chaplaincy and
say that if party service commands the place
he ought to have it.
There are many other clergymen of color
throughout the country who are hoping to