The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-27
BLACKS LAUD MIR. ROOSEVELT Say He Has Reyiyifled
 the Race. cRUM ENDORSED FOR JOB
Committee of Afr0-American
 Council Meets.
The President Commended to the Negroes of the Country "Re- gariess of .Party Amilia-
 tions"--Attacks on South.

Washington. Jan. 6.--The Executive Committee of the Afro-American Council in session here today passed resolution urging confirmation by the Senate of the nomination of pr. W. D. Crum tcoloredl to be collector of customs at Charleston, S. C., and adopted an address to the country on the race question in general. The address Is signed by Alex Walters, chairman of the Executive Committee; Cyrus Field Adams. Secretary, and Wil- liam A. Piedger. acting President Na- tional Afro-American Council The ad- dress in part Is as follows
 ..It is evident to the thoughtful among us that we are passing through one of the most critical periods of our existence in this country. A systematic enort has been inaugurated on the part Of the South which has for It's object the with drawal of the franchise from the Afro- Americans of that section and their re- duction to 0 position of absolute suoser- viency in all the relations of ife- It mas been openly declared by some of the most prominent leaders of the South that 1t was the intention of the framers of the new Constitutions to disfranchise as many Afro-Americans as possible and leave every Caucasian in full possession of the suffrage.
 Effect of New Constitutions.
 .sThe effect has been that not only has the Afro-A American been dts6ranchised but also that a very large number of Cau- cassiars who, previous to the adoption of these Constitutions, participated n elections, have ceased to register and vote.
 I've contend for our constitutional rights on the ground that the right Of suffrage has been conferred upon its citizens by the Federal government.
 We heartily commend the Afro Amexi- cans of Virginia, Alabama Louisiana aud other States who are seeking redress throneh. inc courts of the land and we pledge them our moral and financial sup port.
 We denounce the mob murders now 90 prevalent in this country.
 We call the attention of the country to a condition Of service on many farms in a number of the Southern States, much resembling the old peOnage system, and ask for legislation looking to the reme- dying of the evil.
 we submit our protest against the unfair practices in the transportation Of passengers in Southern States, discrim- mating unjustly against Afro-Americans; recurring of them the regular rates Of travel and providing in return the poor est accommodations in carriage, and we invoke the exercise of the powers of the Interstate Commerce Commission by thae tribunal to prevent discriminations in rates and accommodations against inter- state passengers.
 Appeal to Congress.
 We appeal to Congress for favorable action upon one of the several measures now pending therein for the appointment of a commission to,inquire into the con- dition of Afro-Americans of the country.
 We heartily endorse the deliverances of President Roosevelt with reference to the fitness for appointment to office and the attitude of the Federal Government toward all of It's citizens. regardless of race or color. He has imparted new life and vlgor to the time-honored principles and traditions of human rights and has given hope and inspiration to people struggling heroically beneath the burden of hate and prescription. We commend Theodore Roosevelt to the affection and confidence of our people regardless of party affiliations" I