The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-08
Tacoma Bureau OF the Post-InteIiigencer.
A


liz Pacific Avenue.
TACOMA, April Local musical
fire 80 are ali sgog over the singing
bsaks administered the Ladies' Musical
Club b. Rev Alfred w. Martin. pastor Il
The Frrs. Free church fUnttarian) who
hAz declined 10 deliver al address before
the club for the reason that IL bad re-
fused membership 70 colored applicant
Mr.. Martins reasons for declining 70
appear before the club are given tn let
ter directed 70 tbs executive committee OF
the musical club. The officers Of the club
reeass absolutely 20 discuss the matter.
They dspIoFe the publicity given the az
fair and say that the agitation Of tse
matter further will sinjrre the club. The
Post-IntelI.z~neer was besought 10 re-
fsain from saying anything about the mat
ter although ~ Is being generally dis
oassed both b. members OF the club and
the public.
The colored lady ia the case IL Mrs. H
j. Asbsrry, the wife OF a coiored barber
at the Tacoma hotel. Her friends say
she il highly talented musicaIly and am
ply able TO pass the examination required
OF applicants for membership. Her appli-
cation was presented to the executive
committee Of the club last fall After
brief discussion OF the application.
enough 10 demonstrate that strong feel
was tabled.
II IL only just to say that the race ques-
ton involved in the controversy has never
entered the club. II WAS 10 prevent this
very thing that the executive committee
decided to smother the matter without
dragging IL Into the club and having a
fight over Il.
a member of the club. who asked that
her name be withheld. said today that at
The time Mrs. Asberry made her applica-
ton the leaders OF the club were having "A
very hard time I'm getting IL organized for
the following year. that many members
had dropped out for one reason and an
other. and that others dad not evlnce the
spirit necessary for tho success Of the
club II was with the knowledge that any
discussion OF the race question. coupled
with the unpleasant notoriety IL would
give the club. would initiate against the
efforts that were being made to hold the
organization together and prepare II for
another years work. that the application
OF Mrs. Asberry was tabled. As one mem
Der put IL, IL was case of life or death
with the club. and rather than have any
division OF opinion or sentiment over the
matter. which might result In a schism.
the executive committee decided not &c
entertain the application.
But Rev. Mr.. Martins opinion as 10 the
equities In the case is very different
from those entertained by the executive
committee and many members of the
club. His opinion OF the matter was EN-.
bodied In letter TO the executive com.
mittee. which never reached the club al
q public meeting. and which was only
given out today. Mr.. Martin says:
TACOMA, Wash, 400 North l. Street
March y, iss7.-To the Secretary Of the
Ladies' Musical Club. Tacoma. Wash:
''In accordance with she suggestion oi
the president. Of the Ladies' Musical Club
take this OCCASION 10 render a formal
for my ss.o ~ 10 ae anins 70 sblas ss
my consent of Hast October 20 speak
before the club at one OF Its spring meet
ing.. An OPPORTUNITY having been de-
tive committee the reason for my ex
pressed uuwiliingness TO serve the ciut
as originally planned. no alternative re.
making my position In the matter per
fsctly clear and so rssnoving any mtsufb
dersianding thar may exist; In - dolns
presidents explanations offered At th'
meeting OF the board last Monday. hu
desire simply 20 supplement them wit
-lsn,ng TO appear before the musical clul
- the PAINFUL discovery | recently mad
that rs managing board tabled the az
plieafton OF n respectable and WORTHY
eansifiafe for admission 20 the club for ~
other reason than thar she IS cplored. TIT
Disposal OF iady's application was no
n
club. which provides that none other thai
musical test shall determine the fitness
OF applicants for meTnSe rship In the or
ganE~tttofl. but v was also a violation o
the sacred principle Of love and OF tina
mobiles; Of human ideals. the hrotheFhoo-
Of man.
''such treatment OF teilcw human he
ing OF a fady whose musical attainment
are unquesttoDei and only exceeded p
her aspirations. Ia altogether At vartanc
with the religion which represent. an
fhftr
was my mission 20 foster and promote
AS a minister OF tire Chur-h ~ Uni
yerSai Religion. I owe " 70 that c7tls
as wei as 70 myself to eiss-,,,,s t,,.sle
cf class profudice and false social DIS
sinsstlons as Tire executive committee &
the uiusiCui club has shown.
which I was to address the club. befor
the prograFunae wRr printed could nav
SHARED the club ne e-rfharra Swnent 81
Inconvenience which thts oversight na
caused for I could never consent 90 n
dress any educational organization tha
trrakee color A practical tewt OF meu1hei
shiu whsther overlly or In secret.
ssfTanpliy my part on the rroETafffsy
-~as ~, have Consumed but arteen mir
uf~~ ard the COMMITTEES Will therefore ~
2erience little or no difficulty N seStirin
rer which I should have deemed Il
prfvficse te give, bat which an ~
"ALFRED W, MARTIN"
Mr.. Martins letter has provoked stoT
90 protests among the members 81 tire -
say-,e % Their, characterized his letter
Al unjust ana funwarrantrd c-iticisr
They saw tAe club has privileges as ~
IA thr minister. AMI that Ne Aas gone ont
hts wav 80 assault y. On the other haa
many members 81 TIE ef,se aEree with VI
Martin and spFsana TIE course he y
taken.