The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-13
INDIGNATION.
Mass Meeting of Excited COlOred
People Is Held.
Edward Stevens the Object of
Their Wrath.
SCHOOL BOARD ROW.
OutgrOWth Of Charges Made at
Recent Session.
SCHOOL BOARD ROW.
Defender of Stevens is Not
Allowed to Speak.

The co1ored people of Topeka in mass
meeting assembled at the old court
house Thursday night spitted, roasted
and basted Edward Stevens, who made
an attack upon the colored people of
the city before the board of education
at the last meeting of that body.
Although several political meetings
were being held, about rs of the leading
colored men of the city assembled to
have their inning at Stevens. One of
Stevens followers, Rev. B. T. Foster,
appeared single handed before the
meeting and tried to stem the tide OF
indignation that swept the room at
every mention of Stevens name. He
was hooted and ridiculed each time he
attempted to speak. Rev. Mr.. Shafer,
of the First African Methodist church,
was chosen chairman, and before the
meeting was over he had hammered
the speakers stand so full of dents that
it resenabled a chopping block J. H
Guy was called upon to state the OBJ
ject of the meeting. He sailed into
Stevens without ceremony. -Four
years ago Stevens came here and
started kindergarten That has
grown to be the Topeka Industrial In
stitute. 1t seems that recently Stevens
made it a point to speak derogatory or
the colored people of Topeka, male and
charged all with being corrupt and the
most corrupt he had ever seen in all
his travels. The object of this meet
ing is to see whether the colored people
who have been here 10, 20 and even 30
years are now to be branded as cor
rupt and that brand go forth to the
white people who already hold the col
ored people in disfavOr. This meeting
is to see if the people will resent this
slur or not. Should this come from
man who is fed on account of the good
he is supposed to do his racer
committee was appointed to pre-
pare resolutions. The following We're
the members: S. P. Hawkins, ]. S.
Edwards, Dennis Hope, ]. H. E. Taylor
and J. B. Bass. The resolutions were
read after q recess of a few minutes
The resolutions denounced Stevens in
the strongest terms. and made serious
charges against him. His followers
were styled 'lickspittles-" Ast every
red hot, roasting paragraph was read 1t
was greeted with applause.
Mr. Stevens never said that about
all the coIored peorie.'' shouted the Rev.
Mr.. Foster, as re spr2ng to his feet.
81 have here q letter 1 wish 20 read.
mo. no, no,' yelled the crowd.
stevens said that the colore3 people
of Topeka are immoral said Mr.. Guy.
HE made that statement at tn@ last
meeting Of the school board.
HE did not" screamed Foster.
what if three members of the school
board say that he did?" asked some
| one.
ssThen I would call them each and ev-
| erv one collectively and Slngly liars,
shouted Foster who was warming up
L believe what the resolutions say
| and move their adoption, said Guy.
what if he did say it?" shouted Fos-
ter. Il have here an apology from him.
| Let me read 1t,
4 wish to hear no written apology
from man who calls his race niggers,
80 ..All niggers say niggers." shouted
Foster You say niggers. have heard
you"
dustrial institute
ssI3ut you are a great lawyer"
At this stage the chair raped for or
der and Mr.. Foster apologized to the
meeting for the little wrangle that hat
| taken place
II have no fight with Mr.. Foster said
Guy, s'but when he says Stevens did moi
| make that statement he lies. Why die
not Stevens come here instead of send
| ing a proxy with a, letter."
HE wanted to come but told hin
not to-" said Foster. HE is too impul
| sive He might get excited
1.-The proxy seems a little bit excited
Rev. w. /. Grant was called upon fol
a speech. He said: This seems to be
thrust at our social and domestic prin
ciples The time has come when VIZ
know a black rascal is as dangerous a
a white man. ! must protest aga1nS
the language used before the board o
education They say it is true tina
those statements were made so hell
them God. The man that would max
those statements should be hanged il
effigy The institution that he is tn
head of should be ruled by the people
with the people and for the people in
stead of by him. We should send
committee before the board of mana
gers and demand Stevens removal
L have here q paper 1 wish to pre-
sent" said Foster
Put him OUT yelled Col Jeltz.
''You haven't time to put me out,
shouted Foster" May 1 read this pa
per?"
mo. no. no.
Il move the adoption of the resolu
ton" said Guy
''All those in favor of the adoption G
the resolutions as read say aye" an
nounced the chairman.
There was a thunderous shout c
eaye"
'SThose not in favor say no." sal
the chairman.
Moo" screamed Foster. May
read this paper?"
Il move we adjourn" said Guy.
May read this paper?' asked Eos
ter
/ It second the motion" said anothe
Gentlemen, please let me read thi
paper" said Foster. BE fair. gentle
men"
The meeting was adjourned before h
had chance to read his paper.