Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-08-29
AUGUSTA FARMERS AND BUSINESS
CONFERENCE.
A Large and Important Gathering of
COl0red People.

A Large and Important Gathering Of
COIored People.
The Augusta Farmers and Business |
Men s conference met in the A. NJ. E. |
church, Stanton last Friday. The
meeting was called to order by the
chairman, Rev. G. 1. Withrow, A. b., |
A. M. After the devotional exercises
the roll was called. and new members
we're received.
The morning session was devoted to
the receiving of the rerorts of the bu
reau on moral, educational and nation
al conditions, and of the committees
On land and inspections. The report
showed great progress among the peo-
pie of Augusta county since the last
meeting.
The enthusiasm manifested on the
part of the brethren of the various dis
tricts spoke well for the work of the
conference. The outburst of applause
told the depth of sincerity and aprre-
citation on the part of the colored PEG.
pie of Staunton, who awaited themselves
of the opportunity thus afforded to
hear and know the truth of the condi-
tion of the people throughout the
county. The reports showed growth
as we'll as room for great Improvement.
Good rallying, spiritual music was rem
dered by the Augusta st. M. E. church
choir for the occasion. After singing,
the morning session adjourned to re-
convene at 2:30 p. m.
Long before the hour had arrived for
the afternoon session, visitors and
friends were seen coming from various
directions to the meeting. At the ap
pointed hour the chairman called the
conference to order and after the de-
votional exercises, Rev. Cooper of Char
lottesville, delivered a strong and logi.
cal address on the subject-''Indus-
try" When the order of the day for
the reception of new member was called
for, a large number of the people of the
city and county became members OF
the conference. At this point Frank
T. Ware, one Of Stannton's progress
sive merchants, was called upon for
an address, his subject being 1.-THE
Needs of Our People," 1t was prac-
tically handled and we'll discussed by
him.
Following this address, the report of
special committee was called for. The
committee presented a scheme known
as the Virginia Joint Stock Company.
After much discussion, the meeting
adjourned. /
7:30 D. m. was the hour for the clos
ing meeting of the conference. A large
number was present to witness this
session which promised to be the most
interesting of the entire conference.
Many good speeches were made. Prof.
Newman, principal of the public schools
of Harrisonburg. was the main speak
er of the evening; his subject being
"Hints and Helps on the Negro Prob
lem.' The subject was ably handled
and was enjoyed by all who were pres
ent.
| Next followed papers by Elite A.
johnson, Australia Burns, of Staunton,
Gertrude Allen, of GreenYille, and
Mary Edwards, Of Buffalo Gap, G.
Edwin Brooks, of Staunton, and Rev.
Chas. E. Hodges, of Snyder. Many OF
the friends of the conference made ex-
cellent addresses, full, practical and
very beneficial.
After this the reports of various
committees were made. Delegates were
elected to attend the State Business
League to meet in Richmond, August
25th.
This conference was pronounced by
the chairman the most successful ever
held here.
BLESSED be the tie that binds" was
sung and the benediction was pronounc.
ed by the Rev. w. H. Moses, B. d.
Thus the second annual session of the
Augusta Farmers and Business Mems
Conference came to a close with sue
cess still attending it's labors."