New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-19
NEGROES IN CANADA.
THE RACE PREJUDICE IN THE DO
NINION-THE CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE NEGROES.

From The Toronto Mail and Empire.
The total colored population In Toronto b
about eight hundred, almost the same as the
French and Italians. The older generation Of
negroes are escaped slaves, who came here be-
fore the war. and have remained since. 1t Will
be remembered that negroes came to this coun-
try in large numbers during the days OF slavery.
but many returned when assured Of their free
dom. Some remained, however, and OF these
Toronto, Hamilton and Chatham come in for q
good share. There possibly not more than
fifteen living here now Of those who did not re-
turn, and, like their numbers their days are
getting few The younger generation were
mostly born in Canada. The greatest misfortune
they have experienced was caused by almost
total cessation Of employment by city hotels
OF colored help and since that time there have
been many negroes whose employment mas been
more or less uncertain. OF such as are en-
ployed a good number are In the Pullman car
service. possibly more are BARRIERS. four are
letter carriers some are walters and restaurant
keepers, others day laborerS, ana among those IN
special lines of business are photographer, an
ice merchant and a coal merchant. large
number do odd jobs of one sort and another, and
possibly third are without steady employ
ment The women among them do a good deal
of work and they seem to have better Oppor-
tunities Of employment than the men Quite a
number engaged as house servants, others
do washing and laundry work and few are en-
gagged in dressmaking and sewing at home. They
have not saved much money, though few own
a little property in The city. 1t is seldom that
much crowding is found among them, and, TAX
ing them together they must be regarded as
very peaCeabe citizens. few become trouble
some at times but a rule, the negro is in
clined to be friendly with his neighbors and con-
, genial TO those whom he meets. They take
earnestly to education. and are fond Of reading
The children attend the public schools and hold
their own with other pupils
In religion they are becoming less emotional
though rot less Jealous than they have always
been. They have two churches OF their own,
the British Episcopal and the African Methodist
Episcopal; they also had a c0lOred Baptist
church on the corner Of Queen and Victoria sts
but it has recently been abandoned a good
many attend the small missions in St Johns
Ward Some OF their number belong TO the
Masons the Odd Fellows and the Knights OF
Pythas. They generally avail themselves OF the
privileges Of the franchise when occasion offers,
but as 4 body have taken little interest in mu-
nicpal affairs.
The coored people were strong In their oppo-
stion 10 the Sunday cars, some from religious
motives and others because OF their opposition
TO monopOlies of any kind They are. for the
most part. in hearty accord with the union plan
Of organized labor. but on account OF their
small numbers have not taken a prominent part
in il.
The colorcd man has proved himself a good
citizen. and on this account II seems a pity that
most Of the young men among their number
find il necessary TO leave for the other side
They complain that ii is difficult for them to
secure places here which they are DESTROYS
and capable of filling. and that they have al
ready been forced to leave. In the United States
their labor and ability seem to be- more apprecI-
ated. They hesitate before seeking places here.