Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1895-03-16
coLoRED PEOPLE AND WHITE AGENTS.

houses 10 get money ana we give II TO
them" He spoke of the crowding out
of the colOred men at the north, and
referred TO the different treatment at
the South. There were some white
men who seemed anxious TO drive out
the colOred labor. Some wanted to
substitute japanese labor for the col
ored labor. They wanted to fill the
positions of cooks, dining roOm-serv-
ants, coachmen, with this kind of help
- ask you in the name of humanity, in
the name of christianity not to take
any such step, or foster any such idea. -
COUNCILMAN BRIGGS MOTION.
Councilman Briggsl II move that
the resolution from the Bricklayers
Union be laid upon the table and Mr..
Fox be authorized TO go on with the
building.
Alderman Mountcastlel "These col
ored people think that they must be
treated better and the white people
ought TO be treated better. have no
l-olg c(Ton< snybody making living.
! stand a. SSne representative of the
white race. / promised those who
sent me here TO stand by the white
race. am in favor of white men do
ing the work
Councilman Briggsl "The question
should have been raised prior TO our
signing the contract with Mr.. Fox
They come here on the race issue. We
can't discriminate. 1t is in violation
of the Constitution of the United
ftates. Let the matter lay on the
able.
Councilman Gunst said that he was
lot fully satisfied as TO the liability of
he city, should the contract be can
lied and he would amend Mr.. Briggs
l&tion by postponing further consid-
tion of the matter until the next
ming "Wednesday at 8 80 p. m.
Briggs accepted this and il was
reed TO.
THAT ADJOURNED MEETING.
n Wednesday, the Committee on
punds and Buildings met at the ap-
pted hour. Present: John +. Epps
irman), Briggs, Gunst, Aldermen
kcBlake, Snead, Monntcastle.
Mr.. Gunst said that he had consulted
the City Attorney, who had informed
him that the Committee could not
proceed further with reference to
the request of the white Rricklayers
Union without making the city liable.
There was nothing TO do but TO allow
MIR. Fox to proceed with the work
lie was there to represent the city OF
Richmond and he could not do other
wise than TO renew the motion of Mr.
4 Briggs to lay the matter on the table
THE CONTRACTORS MUST PROCEED
4 The City Attorney said that by al
lowing Mr.. Fox to go to work and hav-
ing inspected the bricks was a virtual
Aacceptance of the provisions under
Shich he was working
Sh2lrnAn Eppsl Il am certain. that
i these brick-layers made this plea il
the best of faith The cOlor-line was
not TO be put in it. If Mr.. West has
not sub-let it, we have nothing to dc
. with it.
q CHAIRMAN EPPs AND COLORED LABOR
So far as the colored man is concern
ed, if ne will stand up and centend fol
fair prices, am willing to work Will
4 him, but if he does not / viii 60
against him. / am always ready [,
uphold organized labor.
Mr.. Gunst Il hope that you will no
construe that ] am against organized
labor" He then explained that h,
had been consistent throughout th'
controversy.
THE WHITE SPOKESMAN UNEASY.
Mr.. Powers, the spokesman of TIN
Pricklayers Committee handed in
prn affidavit from the white brick
Pr Jones that Mr.. West told hin
he had sub-let the work to tn
Aed contractor, Armistead Walker
figgs Il understand that MI
is one of the best practices
klayers in the city, white or color
and see no reason why he shoul
do the work"
Mr.. WEST SPEAKS.
Ir. West, the contractor said
w who can do my work. / emplo
stead and his son. Armistea
sen working for me 30 years, an
INIT better bricklayer in tn
he is. His son is fine work
instructions / ever receive
fine brick / got from hiI
Shelton. Dick Jones worke
asst week, 1 think heap {
good Lord, I've got to max
as best / can. / have nC
he work. Armstead is m
RMAN McBLAKEs' OPINION.
ian McBlake said that he like
Working people get good livin
81 am a merchant" said /
e got people who are cuttiT
all the time, so it is in the bricl
business and all other busines
been giving out contracts
ay, and we can't change it tn
but the next time we can lOC
Forry that a colored man didn
harmony to build from the ce
he roof The colOred peop
look to this building vii
If they could say that this
nory, given us by the city
nond and they allowed US to bui
ley would feel all the more proI
gift.
NswERING NORTHERN RADICALS.
T. Chairman, it would have been
effective reply to those Northel
Gals who tolk about our treatmel