The colored American., 1901-02-09

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| gatherings.
Mr.. Wright referred to two speeches
| that he had made that he said were
exceedingly gratifying to him because
they seem to have been productive OF
some gOOd-One, made at Little Rock
Ark, in 1879, on the occasion of his
first attendance as a Delegate to a
general meeting Of the Order, when, on
account Of some alleged irregularities
in the management of it's affairs, much
dissatisfaction existed and its diSrup-
ton was seriously threatened Mr..
Wright prepared a set of resolutions
and supported them in a speech that
completely changed the aspect of
things, brought together the discordant
elements, harmOniZed matters and set
at rest all thought of severance be-
tween the sections.
His other speech, which has also
been referred to IN the columns of this
paper, was made here at the celebra-
ton Of the fOrty-third anniversary of
the introduction of the Order in this
city.
In this address, Mr.. Wright, in the
most fOrceful manner, called attention
to the then deplOrable condition of the
Order in not having a decent place in
which to meet and the urgent necessity
of providing a home Of its own. That
address led to the erection of the beau
tiful and imposing structure located on
Nj street northwest, in the very heart
Of the city and known as "Odd Eel
lows Hail." Mr. Wright having been
chosen as the President Of the aSSO-
citation charged with it's erectiOn-an
office which he has held continuously
for the past ten years and the duties
Of which he has performed with signal
ability and SucceSS-and to his excel
lent business capacity, untiring energy,
wonderful tact, indefatigable zeal and
answering fidelity, is largely due the
encouraging success SO far made in the
payment Of the large debt incurred in
the erection of this splendid building
The ground WhereOn this building
stands cost, in round numbers, $780,
900, and has long since been paid, and
over $1,000 Of the amount borrowed
to put up the building has also been
returned.
When the adjoining lot at the COR
ner of 10th and NJ streets was for sale
Mr.. Wright strongly urged its purchase
and had his suggestion been adopted
the Order would today have been the
owner of one Of the most beautiful
sites in the city of Washington. Refer
ence has heretofore been made in the
columns of this paper to Mr. Wright
as a school trustee, and, no doubt, had
he been permitted to remain on the
Board long enough, he would have
made his mark. But, under the new
law, being in the Government service,
he was legiSlated out before he had
the opportunity of famiIiarizing him
self with his duties or formulate his
plans.
Everyone in Washington knows Of
Mr.. Wrights prominence in the Metro
pOIitan A NJ. Z. Church and the i'm
pOrtant services he has rendered in the
establishment of that great cOnneX-
iOnaI church. He has been a member
Of the Board Of Trustees and the Su-
perintendent Of the Church almost ever
since its construction, and by his I'M
assuming manners, quiet energy, and
ready tact in the performance of his
eXacing duties, has done much for the
upbuiIding of this great church.
He has for the past five years worked
heart and hand with its present SchOl-
arly pastor, Dr. j. Albert Johnson,
whom he says he regards as one of the
best eXpOnents of MethOdism that the
A. NJ e. Church has ever had in the
Nations Capital City. Referring again
to the "Odd Fellows Lyceum," he says
that he is greatly encouraged at the