The times., 1899-07-20

A mass meeting of the colored citizens
of the District was held at the Vermont
Avenue Baptist Church last night for the
purpose of taking some action toward
relieving the distress of the homeless
thousands in the flooded district of Texas.
The call for the netting was issued by the
Rev. l. Tolliver, pastor of Liberty Colored
Baptist Church, on Saturday, and while
a comparatively small audience was present
much good work was done and cash con-
tributions amounting to S35.15 were re-
ceived and will be turned over TO the
! general relief committee.
Mr.. ToIliver was chosen chairman and
in relating the need OF immediate action,
stated that his home was in Waco, Texas,
and that he could appreciate the awful
condition of affairs in the flooded district
since he knew every mile of the mum
dated country He stated that while the
majority of the sufferers were cOlored peo-
pie, there was goodly proportion of white
citizens who had been made destitute and
that this was not time for race prejudice
or color distinction. Both white and black,
he stated, should labor to aid the home
less, starving people, and that no man
should give one cent expecting to aid any
color or class. The common fund was to
go TO all who needed relief, he stated, and
he hoped for a good showing from his
people.
The following relief committee was then
appointed to devise ways and means to
raise funds and to interest the colored
people of the District in the condition of
the sufferers: E. L. Scott, ". R. Pat
terson, J. B. Williams. DR.. J. n. John
son, W D. Jarvis, William ]. Tyler, and
Solomon Lomax.
Extracts were then read from Texas
newspapers, showing the ravages of the
floods and several kilograms asking for
immediate aid were also recited. The
Rev George W. Lee, pastor Of the YER
mont Avenue Church, then delivered
strong appeal for the sufferers. and asked
that every cne of the few who had at
tended come up and hand something to
the secretary The appeal resulted in
nearly Si7 being obtained.
The Rev. w. J. Howard, pastor of the
Zion Colored Baptist Church, also deliv-
cred an address, stating that there was
little time for talk, and asking for i'm
mediate action.
The speaker promised that his eongrega-
ton would turn over good sum after next
Sunday. and stated that the pastors of TIE
colored churches Of the District had been
requested to take up special collection
fer relief purposes.
The Rev. l. Tolliver turned over SIS from
lis congregation. the Liberty Baptist
Church, and said that they would make it
$50 on Sunday. The sum OF S1.75 was
turned in from the Mount Jezreel Colorei
Baptist Church.
The following resolutions were then read
and adopted:
Whereas We were not represented at the Ma
sonic Temple meeting for the relief Of the Texas
food sufferers, and not represented on
the citizens relief committee, be it
Resolved, That this meeting appoint COM
miuee Of five representative oooTed citizens Of
the District TO represent people on that
body, and be it also
Resolved, That this meeting ask that the dele
CATION be recognized members Of the general
reliei committe
The committee selected TO act upon the
general committee is as follows: DIR. c.
| b. Puryis, Perry Carson. John F. Cook,
Joseph Shorter, and Lemuel Bailey. 1t
was also decided to add the editors OF the
local colored newspapers TO the list.
The pastors of the colored churches of
the District will held a meeting next week
to take action in regard to holding another
mass meeting for the purpose of raising
funds.