The colored American., 1901-06-08

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of the people as he could locate to at
tend the meeting in the few hours
that interviewed. The night was far
spent when the conference took place.
A lady volunteered to get someone to
start out early enough next morning
TO visit the burned district, see the
exact condition, and be at the meeting
prepared to tell any committee SUCH
facts as might help in the formation
of practical plans. Recognizing the
fact that our people by their lack OF
unity often make it easy for the preju-
diced to serve us with the ragged edge
of mercy even, the hope was INDUCED
in that extreme care would be taken
to prevent our hOtheadS from raising
the race iSSue''-Of course, expressing
the hope and preventing the thing we
feared are two very different things.
The plans were carried out, and at the
Mayors meeting Prof. Johnson, IN
company with many well-knOWn gen.
tIemen, stood ready to present the
needs of our people. The meeting was
remarkable for its fair spirit and busi-
nesslike procedure. At an auspiciOus
recognized by the Chair, asked if the
plans about to be decided upon were
to be carried out regardless of any
''cOIOr line" The Chairman was en-
phatic in saying that suffering was to
be considered, and not color; that the
plans in question applied to all who
suffered by the fire. And the spirit of
all present sustained him. Hearing
this, Miss Hattie Z. Emerson, Super
intendent Of Boylan Home, authorized
Mr.. Douglass WetmOre to announce
that the faculty of BOylan Home
would contribute one hundred dollars
to the general relief fund. Mr.. Wet
more, in doing this, took care to state
that the Home was a school for col
Ored girls. The announcement was
generously applauded, and it made
kindly impression not only for the fac
ulty, but the cOlOred people generally.
Rev. WaldrOn asked for a cOlOred rep
reSent9tiye on the general committee,
and Mr.. Lee was named.
The two ladies that had traversed
the burned district were so affected
by the sad scenes through which they
had passed during the early morning
hours were encouraged by several Of
the gentlemen present to go direct to
the Mayor. This they did, and as soon
as he understood that they had been
among the burned-out cOlOred people
he was most courteous and Sympathet-
ic. The ladies felt that two or three
hundred lOaveS of bread at least
should be sent to those who had spent
the night along the streets and in the
fields. Mr. Harry Mason, moved by
the recital of misery, spoke elOQuently
for immediate action in favor of the
SmaIIS, who entered the room at this
period, also pleaded their cause,
whereupOn Mr. Mason was sent out
to give them not only the desired
bread, but one hundred pounds each
of the following items, viz, coffee,
sugar, meal, bacon and two crates Of
crackers. This was done before the
relief committee was squarely organ
lied. 1t is given to show the attitude
of the head authorities toward our
people. If underlingS, black and white,
muddle the situation after the supreme
authorities have done their part. the
public should not hold them response
bic. In less than one hour the pro-
visions were at BOylan Home, and Dr.
SmallS, commissioned by Mr.. Mason,
sent a carriage to be used by the la
dies in the work of distribution. Will
ing hands at the Home divided the food