The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-28
DELEGATES DREW
THE COLOR LINE.
Nomination of a Negro on Committee
Caused Trouble in the Sunday
School Convention.

ATLANTA. Ga. April 2.-The pro-
ceedings of the Ninth 1renn.al Interna-
tional Sunday school Convention to-day
were oniyencd by a heated discussion
over the placing OF negroes on one OF The
committees. The matter was amicably
adjusted after considerable talk, but
rumors which spread over the city re-
garding the trouble resulted in The police
department sending a man TO the opera
House to investigate.
Hon. Hoke Smith, Of Atlanta. ex-Secre-
tary of tho Interior, was elected presi-
dent of the convention, and presided at
tO-nights session
The naming of the nominating commit
tee precipitated the trouble
4 NEGRO NAMED.
When Georgia was reached In the roll
call w s. Witham was placed I'm nOmina-
tion. Somebody named r. E. r. Carter
ocolOred), and it was insisted that he
was the choice Of the state. This was
denied by Second Vice President Green,
who said that Witham had been made
the nominee Of the State delegation. Then
the State of South Carolina was called on
for its vote 4 white man was named,
and a negro was nominated by a negro.
Or. B. T. Jacobs, who was presiding at
the time, announced that no State could
have more than one delegate
A score Of amendments were made-s n
less than the same number Of minutes
Amendments and substitutes came thick
and fast and the audience was in an up
roar.
Delegate Neil, of Washington. D. c.,
who had caused considerable comment
among the white people present, by leav-
ing that portion of the house set apart
and placarded for the negro delegates
and sitting with the white people Of his
delegation, was introduced by a white
delegate. II am representing the District
of Columbia" said Delegate Neil. and
when l left home 1 thought ] would sit
with my delegation. but now we are
separated j want 10 know how We will
have any representation and bow we will
be heard. II white delegates only are
10 be placed OH the committee. and white
men viii not sit with the negro. ] would
be glad to ascertain what we can accom-
plsh by ourselves.
"The negro is making rapid headway in
Christian work aud | appeal to this con-
vention not to discourage us. for we may
lose years before We will get TO the place
we now occupy
MUST KEEP THEIR PLACE
The excitement was now at fever heat
and many delegates were on their feet
in an EFFORT at recognition. Second Wee
President Green, OF Atlanta, finally se-
cured the floor lie said: "The negroes
have representatives from this State on
other committees. We live here among
these people; we respect them: We treat
them right. We treat them as nicely as
we DO our own color but We do draw
the line when It comes 10 sitting together
I'm the same pew" (Auplause)
The matter was finally referred 10 the
Executive Committee which late in the
afternoon reported in favor OF Mr.. Whit
ham.
lue Nominating Committee reported
the name OF Hon. Hoke Smith for pres
ident at 4 o'clock and their finding was
unanimously adopted. Al the night ses-
sion eulogies were delivered upon the
lives of William Reynolds. Illinois: Hon.
Lewis Miller, Ohio. Rev. David suther-
land Prince Edward Island: Rev. John
Han New York; Rev. Moses u. Hoee.
Virginia; Rev n. Louis Baugher. Penn
syhunia and Alexander Tying Illinois.
Toronto made strong argument for
the next convention.
GRADY HONORED.
ATLANTA, GA. Aprll 21.--The Mas
sachusetts delegates 10 the Sunday
School convention to-day marched to the
Grady monument opposite the postoiiice
and placed wreath at its base.
Rev. a. H. Conrad, pastor or the First
consrcgatiOnalist Church OF worcester,
Mass. delivered the memorial address az
ttc Grand Opera House IN the presence
Of AZ enormoase crowd.