Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-29
NEGROES IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Congressman Murray Declares They Are
Deprived Of Their Rights.
An Association Termed to Assist the
Southern coIorea People in ASSERT
ing Their Privileges.

Congressman George W. Murray of South
| Carolira addressed large audience of
| eolored citizens last might at the Metro
politan Baptist Church, r street near 18th,
On the subject of the election laws of South
| Car olina.. At the conclusion of his speech
| an organization was formed to aid the
colored voters of that state to establish
and preserve their rights.
The meeting was called to order by Rev.
Robert Johnson, pastor of the church, who
acted as presiding officer. Rev Dr. ]. T.
Jenifer, Rev. DR.. F. ]. Grimke, Rev. DR..
| George w. Lee, DR.. A. J Wilder and other
prominent citizens were present. MIR. Muir
lay said that the colored people not only
| of South Carolina, but of every state in
| the Union. were interested in the subject.
and that he would be glad to get the CO.
operation of all of them in his efforts to
overthrow the election laws of his state.
How the Negroes Were Fooled.
The negroes were to blame for the pres
ent condition of affairs in South Caro-
| lima, he said, because during the carpet
baggers' rule the democrats of the south
told the negroes that they were free and
hide pendent citizens, and that as citizens
| they were interested equally with the
white citizens in proper administration
of affairs, and that they should not elect
carpet baggers to office who would loot
the treasury, increase the taxes and the
| burdens upon them, but that they should
Join with the democracy In overthrowing
this regime and better times would come
to them and to the state. The negroes
listened to this argument, and went with
the democrats and although carpet bag
Mr.. Murray declared that from 1876 when
the reconstructed government fell in South
Carolina. until the present time the negro
has mot enjoyed the right of suffrage in
| South Carolina. He said he had consulted
with the white citizens of South Carolina
| and they told him that the only thing
| for the Colored people to 90 was to carry
| their case to the court, as there was no
way of overthrowing Tilmanism in South
| Cal DINA except by revolution. He told of
his efforts to get the matter into the courts,
and said that he bad travelled all over
| the state soliciting money to fight the way
| out. He said what he wanted was the
| financial cooperation of the colored people
everywhere.
| He made a fervid plea to his audience for
| help. promising that in return South Caro-
lima would send Congressman here who
would favor restoring suffrage in this Dis
| trict.
DIR. J. T. Jenifer Of the Metropolitan A.
| NJ. E. Church followed in an eloquent ad-
| dress, saying that his heart and soul went
| out to the people of South Carolina, and
| that he would be false to himself and his
protest against the iniquity that was being
| practiced against the negro.
| DR.. George w. Lee of the Vermont Ave
nue. Baptist Church fold of his travels in
the south. and said that his heart rebelled
| at the condition of affairs he found there.
An Organfzn ton Effected.
| On motion of Dr. r. ]. Wilder there was
| effected at once a South Carolina Suffrage
Aid Society. DR.. Lee was made president,
DR.. Wilder was chosen as secretary and
| DR.. ]. T. Jenifer was selected as treasurer.
| The pastor of each colored church in the
| city was made vice president and will be
asked to cooperate with the officials in
| securing funds to- assist in carrying the
| matter to the court, and in giving such
other aid as will assist the coloreI people
Of South Carolina in establishing their
| rights.
a collection was taken to assist in the
workings of the society and SIS were col
| lected. Many who had no idea that a col
| lection wotfld be asked for left their cards
| and promised to contribute literally to the
| fund. The president of the new associa-
| ton announced that he would call at once
| a meeting of the officers and that large
| mass meeting of the colored citizens would
/ ha held