The colored American., 1902-09-13

community, with reputation unaSSaila-
ole because founded on the rocks of
nigh principle and sterling character.
Ar. Murray'S life is well worthy of
close study. More than thirty years
lgO he was fortunate enough TO secure
employment in the Library of Con-
5reSS, that great repository of the
highest thought and greatest achieve
nent in art, science literature ana mu-
SIC in our land and which is at once
he pride of our whole broad country
md the object of most profound admi
ration on the part of the great minds
Of all other civilized lands. Never
idle but with a most Industrious ac-
luiSitive mind and an unusually re-
.entivc memory and a prodigious Cd
pacity for the assimilation of
information, Mr.. Murray in the
yearS which have passed since his con-
IectiOn with the Library began has
prac Ically educated himself and from
he wealth of learning contained there
n has become perhaps the very best
informed cOlored man in the country.
His merits were quickly recognized at
he Library where he is still a highly
appreciated member of the Librarians
staff and where he has risen to the
highest position of Assistant Librar-
an.
Aside from the large territority COW
red by Mr.. Murrays reading and re-
earcheS he is the authority peerless
md undeniable as to the literary pro
auctions of the Negro race. He knows
heir every detail and the lives and
difficulties of their every author. In
he few winter months Immediately
preceding the recent Pans Exhibition
lie prepared under the authority of the
library of Congress a most commenda-
}le work described as autobiography
the COlOred Race for use in cOnnec-
.On with the Negro Exhibit at that eX-
;ibitiOn and so excellent was the work,
o wonderful was its showing and so
greatly did it appeal to the pride OF
he race and the qualification of our
EelI-wishers that Mr.. Murray was in
,uccd to amplify his production by the
lddi,ion of the works of all our pam
DhleteerS and of Il review of the con-
entS of all such works as have been of
commanding literary merit. He is still
1T work on this book and hopes soon
to be in condition to announce a date
;Or publication and there can be no
.Oubt that 1t will itself be Il most Valu-
lble contribution to race literature.
Mr. Murray has been by no means
content Will IleTGly al lIJCl III iCDuLci-
lion. He has found time and op
1ortunity to contribute to the eleVd-
ion of his people in many other di-
tectiOns. He has been a potential fac
OF in the business world. he has had
| md he continues to have large real es-
ate interest in the District. He has
| built many fine residences AMI
engineered their sale or SatiSfaC
| Ory rental and were it not for his new
Il firing energy and his distaste for
nat luxurious ease which is the theme
nd aspiration of many speculative
linds, he might even now, while still
| young man lay down the weapons of
warfare, take off the armCr of battle
nd safely submit himself to the easy
0mfOrt and dignity Of a purely SchOl-
| lrly life, diSdainIng the maTtS Of trade
and of further struggle for the materi-
| ii things of life
Not so, he! The first colored man to
Je appointed a member of the Board of
rade of the city he is still one of its
most active and valuable members.
| lie is the author of the present real eS-
| ate tax law, which upon presentation
)y him to the Board was at once adopt
| ii as their own expression OF the prop
| + legislation for the District and
| which with practical unanimity was
| ,asSed by both Houses of Congress and
-emains the existing law. Mr.. Muir
| ay's name has been repeatedly men
| ioned with great favor for various
public offices but our admiration for
| .im is intensified by observing that
| with his attainmentS and exceptional
| influential standing in All that best
| represents the aspirations of the race,
1