The Washington bee., 1898-09-24
A BRILLIANT CAREER OF A
WASHINGTONIAN.
A CoMMoNER OF THE PEoPLE-GREAr-
Err HoNoRS IN STORE.

D. y
our very earnest and able trustee of
public schools, needs no introduction
to the Washington public. He is we'll
known to all classes and in all sections
of the city as an accomplished, ipflu-
entail, public spirited Christian gentle
man From Lincoln'S time when he
became the confidential clerk to the
District Marshal, TO the present time,
he has maintained an unsullied repu-
tation for honesty, integrity of pur-
pose, race-pride and marked ability.
He is product of Washihgton's envir-
onments pure and simple. In his ca.
pacity as employe of the government,
he expresses what is possible to every
honest, persevering and studiouS col
ored man, namely: that of becoming
a thoroughly competent and highly
efficient public officer. He was ap-
pointed In the Attorney Generals OF.
flee in 1870 and has advance step by
step until he is now occupying next TO
the highest clerical grade and is en-
trusted with business of the greatest
public Importance.
He is custodian of the dockets ofthe
Court of Claims as we'll as of all of the
briefs, pleadings and evidence pre-
pared by the various Attorneys Gener-
al In their important cases. He has
become so converSant with the rules
of practice and methods of procedure
of the Court of Claims that he is fire.
quently consulted and highly respect
ed by the leading members of the bar.
Frank, unassuming, gentlemanly yet
positive. Mr.. Wright has Cemon-
srated the power which can be welded
In hberalizing sentiment regarding the
merit and adaptability of the Colored
man as public officer. Nor is 1t as a
public officer merely that Mr. Wright
has made himself felt. He is an ar
dent and interchangeable church and Sun
day school worker. Succeeding his
father as a member of the Board Of
Trustees of the Metropolitan Meth
odiSt church and as superintendent of
its large Sunday school, Mr.. Wright
gave evidence of his executive, ad-
ministrative and reSourCeful ability
and organizing power. Perhaps in no
sphere have his strong personality
and eminent abilities been more en-
phaSiZed than in that of Odd Fellow
ship. Initiated into the Order in 1870
through Mount Olive Lodge No. 1888,
he at once became power in dissent
mating the principles of the Order and
stimulating its growth in and about
Washington, The exponent and exam
pie of Love, Friendship and Truth, he
soon rose into prominence in theOrder,
He has been the advocate" of his
lodge ever since that office was eStab-
llShed. He was delegate to the a. NJ.
c., in 1879. He was a delegate TO the
B. Nj. c., which met at Philadelphia in
1886 and chairman of the Washington
delegation. AT this meeting he was Sc
leCted as a member of the Committee
OF Management and has handed down
many important opinions touching the
law and other matters relating to the
Order.
He was leading figure and took a
prominent part in the general meeting
held In this city in 1892 and became
chairman of its most important
committees. He was a delegate to the
annual meeting recently held at Indi-
annapolis, Ind, was selected orator of
day, and delivered masterful oration.
The subject which was "Aims and
purposes of Odd Fellowship" was
treated SO eloquently and forCefuliy
that to this day the "brethren" speak
of it as one the "classics" of the Order.
1t is not strange that the name of
Mr.. Wright become talismanic when
the question of Grand Master came up
for consideration. His consistent and
career offered the strong
est reasons to his friends why he
should be urged as Grand Master of
the Order. A movement was inaugu-
rated looking toward that end, but
MIR. Wright positively, but gracefully
declined in favor of his friend lanes
{. Needham, who who elected. Mr..
Wright was made president of the
Hall Association, the object being to
build an Odd Fellows Hall in Washing
ton, such as would be a becoming
testimony to the power and progress
sive spirit of he,Order. and as result,
through his energy, integrity, unwaver
ing hdellty, acumen, practical ex.
eCutiye, administrative and business
devotion wishing to possess
the most costly and beautiful Odd
Fellows Hall in the country.
We are not aware of MIR.
Wrigi1t,,s ambition as to preferment in
the Order, but if ability devotion the
principles of the Order,
fidelity to friends and duty, long ser
vice, rectitude and piety are potent
elements which enter into the consider
alton of Grand Master, the subject
Of this short sketch will be the next
Grand Master and Washington city as
we'll as the entire country will be
proud to honor him. 1t is needless here
20 speak of Mr.. Wright as trustee
of public schools in this city. The fact
hat this city furnishes the only sys-
em of colored schools conducted on
/ large scale by colored teachers and
officers is sufficient to show the very
nigh estimation in which Mr.. Wright !
S held here. Thus far, he has demon !
'trated the wisdom Of selecting school |
officers who have ability and who |
lave the courage of their convictions. |
His home, his character and his con-
iuct are consistently pure and Wash
ngton high and low, rich and poor,
black and white will be proud to |
lonor him in his office as Grand |
Master.