The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-11-12
Decorations Both Amusing and APP
prOpriate.
Scholarly Papers and
Some Negro Melodies.
The First Open Session of the
Year ON Saturday.

Although the NEGRO Problem" at the
Literary Union meeting Saturday after
noon was seriously considered In the
papers, the harmony with the subject In
the decoration OF Kotzschmar hall stage,
was both amusing and tasteful. An
effective trimming of red and white
bandanna handkerchiefs edged the plat
form; figure of jolly little coon pro-
voked much merriment as centre piece
and the attractive arrangement OF the
stage with background OF the nag,
potted chrysanthemums, and here and
there a bar 10, made in all an exceeding
ly unique and attractive stage setting.
The success Of this dec ,ration is due to
Mrs. Fred A. Kendall, Mrs g. p. Thorn
as and Mrs. George Robinson of the Sa-
voir Faire club.
When Mrs Charles +. Flagg, the presi-
dent appeared upon the platform, two
young negro boys took their places on
stools on each side of the stage, seeming
to intensity by their presence the living
issue of the question under consid sratlun.
The president offered most cordial greet
ing to the large audience present In the
new meeting place and stated that there
were now 597 members Of the union.
Mrs, Flagg also gave a cordial word of
recognition to tine "Old Home Week.
committee which had done SUCH excel
Iant work during that successful work of
hospitality in Portland. The president
then said that the members Of the union
were fortunate In securing the services
oil SO prominent lecturer as DIR. Hamil
ton Mabie and she hoped the members
would feel Ike cooperating In making
the lecture q financial as we'll as liter
arg success. This lecture Is to take place
November gath at Pine street church.
Mrs Flagg then called upon Mrs. Wal
lace Noyes OF the Ann Hathaway club,
who gave an interesting and full account
of the Maine Federation convention at
Kockland in October.
Before introducing the first essayist of
the afternoon. Mrs. FlRgg gave few in.
troductory words of explanation for the
somewhat radical change in the various
programmes for the open meetings." III
all are as successful as the one Saturday
there can surely be nothing but satisfac-
ton at the change.
In her account Of the history OF the
negro race in general, Mrs. Charles A.
Moores OF the Agassiz club, rather took
the ground that the colored people were
more sinned against, than SHINING; that
they were not here by their own choos-
ing, but now that they were here they
should be treated as Americans Mrs.
Moores gave clear and excellent account
OF the most important facts in connec-
ton with the growth and development
OF the slave trade and Of our treatment OF
the negroes In the past. She paid glow
ing tribute to Abraham Lincoln for the
Emancipation Proclamation, by no
means CLOSED over the difficulties of the
present situation, but was inclined to
think we were expecting too much OF O
xNh oh
more than thirty years OF freedom.
Special stress was also laid by Mrs,
Moores upon the assistance which the
negroes had given in four of our wars,
pr wing that they were willing to cast
in their lot with the Americans In time
of need.
Mrs. Flagg In introducing Mrs. Alfred
L. King OF the Anne Hathaway club,
said there was no question without its
bright side, So IL was Mrs. Kings oppoI-
tunity to show that version OF the prob
lem in the work OF MIR. Booker Il. Wash
ington. The sketch by Mrs. King Of the
work OF this most energetic and capa-
BILE African American, was full OF inter
esting matter, with many quotations
from Mr., Washington's book on the SUBJ
jeot Of the African in America. In Mr.
Washington own life, his experience in
the industrial school at Hampton, was
invaluable, and this sort OF training
Is what he would at first give the negro.
His idea, too In regard to the franchise,
was that 1t is mistake to allow II 10
either black or white without the edu-
cational qualification.
The school at Tuskeegee, Alabama-one
OF the most successful schools In Ameri-
oa-is the result OF Booker Il. Washing
toms efforts who, with his wife, is do |
ing there an invaluable work. Twenty |
six trades are taught the boys, and cook |
Ing, sewing, nursing and horticulture to |
the girls. Mention was also made OF the |
Negro conferences which are held at |
Tuskegee with Mr.. Wasnin gton as presid- |
ing officer. Another very helpful confer.