The times., 1897-06-11
CIVIL RIGHTS DEMANDED
COlOred Citizens Meet to Discuss
the Jones Case.
Resolutions Adopted Against Grant
ing Eatinc-House Licenses Where
the Color Line Is Drawn.

About so colored men and women met
last night at the Metropolitan BAPTIST
Church for the purpose of expires sing
their Indignation at the outcome Of the
slider a petition to Congress for such
legislation as may be necessary toj pre-
vent distinctions of race and color ,.ng
made in public places.
Hon. John NJ. Langston presided, and
Rev. DR.. Robert johnson, pastor OF the
church, acted us secretary. Mr.. Calvin
Chase was made vice president. When
introduced by Prof j. W. CIom well, Mr.
Langston made a long address that was
well received. He began by referring to
the fact that a colored man had once
more been appointed minister To Hayti
to succeed the white man from Virginia,
'who had misrepresented tie country
constantly while there"
He denounced the discrimination that
he said were made in this city against
coiored people, and declared that they
needed local organization in the Dis
triot, which would see that the negro
had his rights; that all had their rights
the blackest as well as the whiteSt He
bitterly denounced the treatment Lawyer
Jones received when Branhaus, res
taurant keeper refused to serve him In
the same room he served his white GUS
toners. and in caustic language referred
to the verdict of the twelve white Jurors.
who, lie sGid, brought In a verdict
against the law and the instructions of
the court. " He advised the audience to
create a public sentiment that would
insure them their rights, and to con-
constantly agitate the subject.
AT the conclusion of his remarks, resolu-
tions were reported as follows:
whereas the recent verdict by the Jury
in the District OF Columbia versus Brun-
haus civil rights case, brought under the
act OF j une %, 1873, in the police court OF
the District or Columbia; and
Whereas said verdict was contrary to
the law and evidence, there being no de-
tense whatever offered, we, the colored
citizens Of the District of Columbia, under
the auspices OF the Negro National Pro-
tectlve ssociation, in mass meeting assem-
bled, believe that the Congress Of the
United States ought TO enact such law as
to give the power to the District Commits
doners to reject all and any license of a
public eating house, theater or any other
pOOiAN IldU
against citizen on account of color, or pre-
ylous condition OF servitude, since the courts
or our city have not the power to enforce
the law applicable to the rights and liber-
ties OF the people Webelieve that the preju-
dces OF any jury are SO manifest as to
prevent the rendering of fair or q Just
verdict in favor of any of our fellow
citizens.
Therefore, be 1t resolved, That the presi-
dent of this meeting be and he is hereby
directed and requested to appoint COM
mittee of five from the Negro National
protective Association, to present 10 Con-
greSs the enactment of such laws that VIII
make 1t compulsory upon the Commission
ers to make each applicant for license
make oath that he Will not discriminate
against any person, long as he is re
spectacle and well-behaved otherwise re-
fuse the license.
Resolved, further, that we consider this
meeting an auxiliary to the Negro Ma
tional Protective Association, and the
present officers shall cons stitute the officers
Of this local organization.
Prof. Hershow made an appeal for the |
adoption of the resolutions, declaring the |
act Of refusing food to man In res |
taurant because of his color a disgrace TO
the nation " He denounced the Jury |
system.
Prof. Hart, Of Howard University, faid |
he thought thu resolutions should be modi- |
tied, for there had been legislation enough |
to cover all conditions and to assure all |
these rights, butthat it was not enforced.
Lawyer Jones, In fiery speech, related |
his treatment by Brunhaus, and entreated |
all to insist upon having the rights the |
Constitution guaranteed them.
After some further discussion the reso-
utions were adopted and the meeting was
at an end.