The Afro-American., 1895-08-03
WASHINGTON NOTES.
Interesting Matter Concerning
Race Organizations.

Inc Negro is pr0YefDlallY stfOng
\ on secret orders. With the aver
age Afro-American, his lodge, his
church and his political party are
his Holy Trinity, and often his
devotion to the first far outweighs
his fealty to the other two com
bined. The Washingtonians do
not differ materially from his breth
rem elsewhere III this regard, ex
cept that he has more Of every
thing, and larger opportunities for
the display Of gold lace, fancy fea-
theirs, glittering swords and other
paraphenalia Of the fraternities.
Taking into consideration the vast
membership embraced in these
lodges, it would seem at a casual
glance to disprove the repeated
charge that the Negro is hopeless
y disorganized and divided against
himself. Were these societies
massed in support Of or against
some public policy, the possibili
ties such a movement suggests are
unlimited. Some idea Of the
strength Of the secret orders here
can be gained from statistics which
show twenty-five lodges Of Odd
Fellows, six lodges Of Masons, ten
lodges Of U. B. Z is, Good Samar-
itans and their female auxiliaries,
together with myriads Of minor
fraternities and beneficial associa-
tons unclassifed. Thousands Of
dollars are handled by them an
nually. The Odd Fellows have a
large four-story building on M St.,
N. W., between Six teenth and
Seventeenth streets, erected in
1890. The property is worth
about $4,000. That these soci-
eties are doing a great work in de-
veloping business capacity, promo
ting fraternity and unity OF pur-
pose, as we'll as providing safe
guards in case of sickness ordeath,
cannot be doubted; and under the
improved methods Of our twenti-
eth century civilization, their scope
may be intellectually widened, and
from them evolved enterprises Of
the most stupendous proportion.
Of the same general character,
with the secret feature eliminated
We have another important class of
associations, devoted to race protec-
ton and to race elevation. THE
EQUAL R1GHTs CoUNcIL is the most
conspicuous organization Of the
protective type, and is the central
light Of a powerful national organ
ization, claiming membership, all
told, of 100000 souls. 1t inves-
tigates and prosecutes outrages
against the civil and personal rights
Of the Negro Of The District Of Col
umbia and the states. 1t is pre-
sided over here by Prof. Jesse
Lawson, a race leader Of high pur-
pose and unusual activity. Law
yer Thomas L. Jones is now At
torney General for the Council,
succeeding the Hon. G. III. J. Tay
lor in that capacity. They meet
regularly twice month. The
National Protective Association,
also has a strong following, under
the leadership Of Col. Perry Fl.
Carson.
THE WoMAN's INDUSTRIAL LEA
CUE is an influential organization,
aid is All honored branch Of the
National Federation Of Women's
Clubs. Tn point Of culture, educa
ton, wealth and pratical scope Of
work, it has no peerin the coun-
try. The Leagues plan embra-
ces a system Of instruction il use
ful pursuits for young women, pro
cures employment, aids the needy,
suggests social reform, encourages
literary research and personal inn
provement, and aims, in a variety
.of ways, to elevate the standard Of
Afro american Womanhood. Mrs.
Helen 4 Cook oficiates as presi-
dent of tile League and Mrs Ro-
setta Lawson Is secretary. Among
the ladies of Washington society
who give much 81 fheir leisure to
the support of this movement are:
Mesdames Is. K. Bruce, r. III. Ter
rell, Z. D. Shaw,P. B. S. Pinch
back, j. r. Lynch, r. J. Shadd,
j. III. Merriweather, T. ]. Grimke
and Others. The Women's Nut
nal Improvement club is q new
organization, made up Of the best
brain and culture Of their sex in