The age-herald., 1900-04-07
Negro Problem in the South.

The conference of white citizens to be held in Montgomery on May 8, and TO- to be presided over by ex-Secretary of the Navy Hilary A. Herbert is attracting wide attention, and leading to much news paper discussion in northern cities. The scope of the conference programme is very broad, as will be seen in the state- ment put forth by the originators of the conferences:
 l. The Franchise"-Should the fran chise be limited by law? If so, how? If limitation is desirable, should such limi- tation be based on educational or on prop erty qualifications, or both?
 "The Negro in Relation to Education" -Should the education of the negro be wholly or chiefly industrial? What is the relation of the negro who has had indus- trial training to the untrained white la- borer of the south? What is the extent of the need for the industrial training of the White population? What are the adVan- taSes and disadvantages to the south of the negro a laborer?
 5. "The Negro in Relation to Relgion''- Should we advise the raising of the stan- dard of ordination for the negro clergy? How much is expended by the white race in behalf of religious work among the ne- groes? How much money for religious purposes is administered by negro lead CTS? How much is administered by white leaders? What religious work is showing the truest results-that under the aus pices of white agencies, or that admnis- tered under the auspices of negroes? How can we increase and better the religious guidance of the negro? What is the re- lgious condition of the negro today, com pared with that of ante-bellum days? What are the most hopeful lines of prog ress for the future?
 A. "The Negro in Relation to the Social order"-Is the negro to remain as a per- manent element in southern life? Is there antipathy to the negro in the south? If so, is it industrial or racial, or both? Is race antipathy curse or a blessing to both races? How far has the agitation of the question of "social equality" increased difficulties, and resulted to the disadvan- tage of both races? Are crimes against women increasing or decreasing in the south? Is lynching an effective remedy? If not, why not? Are there adequate legal : penalties for the offonses often punished by lynching? How can the legal provis- ions for the punishment of crimes against women be improved? What is the effect of lynching as a remedy, on the public mind-of the whites? Of the blacks? Has the increased severity of mob penalties tended to the greater security of the home?
 
 1t will invite "orations," and one such dis play of wind work would consume at least She of the limited number of hours al- iotted for the sessions of the conference Orations and theoretical schemes should be barred out. and practicability invited. This will be the first attempt on the part of representative southern men to grapple with the great race problem, and as such It's discussions and conclusions will be closely watched and criticised. There is hope for something practical and helpful if orations and can be shut out. Chair man Herbert should be given authority to call down any one who gains the floor for the purpose of delivering an oration. Let the orators keep away. Men of convic- tions and few words alone are needed fin a conference that may touch every homo in this section, and that may bring help where help is greatly needed.