The colored American., 1903-08-29
A Bright Barrister.
Continued from first page.


.ovaral months ago, during the dis
oossion of the Jim-Crow street car
low for Memphis; a meeting of Ne
rross was called at the Howe Insti-
tnte 10 take action. A few wanted
~ issue a PROCLAMATION to the Negroes
If Memphis to discontinue the prac-
free of riding for pleasure, and in no
ease ride unless in cases of absolute
necessity The meeting was con-
trolled by a majority of 'Expediency
Policy" men, who argued that such ac-
tiOns may be right, but 1t was not ex-
pedient to do so. After wasting a lot
of gas and big speeches for several
nights doing nothing, they adjourned
sine die There never was time
when the race needed men to speak
out for it's rights more than now.
That you may know the kind of man
the subject of this sketch is let me
recall an incident that happened in
his office a few months ago. While
sitting there listening to pleasant
"reminiscences of his school days, the
interesting and instructive converse
ton was interrupted by the incoming
of q representative of the Memphis
Morning News who was soliciting
advertisements for his paper. 1t will
be remembered that at that time the
News was the uOSI DlCCSI 4NOSIO
hating journal in the South. Just a
few days prior to this representatives S
visit to Mr.. Settles Office, its columns
contained caricatured Negroes, under
which was written, Gwine ter de
White House Dinner" In addition to
this it contained editorials condem-
natorv of President Roosevelt in
manner that should cause all true
Americans to blush with shame. Not
withstanding these things and its
leaning toward the lynching OF mig
gers" it had the unblushing audactty
to send it's representative to the office
of one of the wealthiest Negro law
yers in the South in search of bust
ness. 1t is safe to say he left feeling
different than when he called, as the
following conversation will show:
News Man-"Mr Settle, l am solic-
iting ads for our paper. We are pre-
pairing a new directory which will
contain all the prominent lawyers OF
the city | have come to see If L
could get yours"
Mr.. settle-"What paper do you
represent? -
News Man-The Memphis Morning
News"
Placing his large meerschaum pipe
on the desk, Mr.. Settle answered in
the following manner-"No, sir;
don't want any ad. in your directory.
News Man-'Why not?'
Mr.. Settle-"Why not? Yours is
the most extreme journal in this sec
ton. You are as cowardly as you are
extreme. You are unfair, too; you
strike at a poor, defenseless people
who can not strike back at you You
do not voice the sentifents OF your
best people. and unless you change
your course your paper can not pos
sibly live"
News Man (color changing and ad-
vancing toward the door)-"Our bust
ness is better now than ever before;
We will live"
Mr.. Settle-"You cannot live; but
| notice in your editorial of a few
days ago. you are advising the country
to let up on the Negro question. You
seem to be getting sick of your own
game You started it and now you
have discovered that the North is fig
uring on cutting down your represen-
tation in Congress; you are among
the first to hollow let up!- let up on
the Negro question:
News Man (showing signs or aglta-
tion)-"We will live"
Mr.. Settle-''You started this aglta-
ton. and now you see that the North
is tired of a white man in the Soutn
having five times the voting power
that white men in the North nave.
You are willing enough now TO let up.