The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-31
Several CoIorsd People Tried
to Ask Questions. Made Trouble
rs POLICEMEN CALLED IN
One Man Cut Badly With Razor and Police
man Stabbed BY womins
Hat Pin,

Boston, July A.-An attempt on the part
of half dozen colored persons opposed
20 Rev. Booker T. Washington. president
of the Tuskegee Institute at Tuskesee'
Ala, to ask questions at meeting when
ne was addressing last night at the Zion
church resulted almost In a riot and =
policemen were required TO quell the dls-
tufbance. Several arrests were MADE
during which one policeman received an
ugly stab fr9n hatpin. one man, salo
10 be one ofS,hose opposed to MI. WASH
ington, received several razor cuts anu ~
now in the hospital.
After the arrests Mr.. Washington was
allowed 70 proceed and spoke for nearly
two hours.
Both factions at the close OF the meet
ing issued statements
Mr. Washington said In his statement
that the colored people OF Boston should
not le held responsible for few riotous
individuals who were in a hopeless minor
ity. while William Monroe Trotter. one
of those who was arrested, stated that
the cause OF the riot was the action OF
the chairman, William II. Lewis in or
dering the arrest and election OF any per-
son who Kissed or manifested any oo)ec-
tion to the remarks OF the speaker.
1t is said that the disturbance was pre-
ter and his friends admitted that they
went there with the idea OF asking Mr..
washington a number OF questions and
20 resent any attack that might be made
on the New England representatives 10
the recent Afro-American Council at
louisville. Ky.
TROUBLE FROM START.
order restored. Mr. Washington deltv-
cred his address. the subject of which
was The Economic Condition of the
Colored People OF Boston and the Rela-
ton 70 Those in the Rest OF the Coun-
try"
The meeting was held under the auspi-
ces OF the Colored Business Mems asso-
citation this eft and - HeH-Mr-H-
Lewis, one of the United States assist
ant district attorneys, presided.
The opposition was manifested almost
at the beginning OF the meeting. at
times Mr.. Lewis remarks being Kissed
and two attempts made to interrupt him
with questions. No serious disturbance,
however. occlkred until T. Thomas For
tune of New York was introduced. When
ne stated that the opposition to Wash
ington at Louisville was soundly
spanked half dozen persons in the
audience jumped 20 their feet and In an
instant the entire assembly was In a tur-
moil One man was arrested and elected
by direction OF the presiding officer and
this served to quiet the meeting.
AS Mr.. Fortune finished, Mr.. Washing
ton was introduced. This was signal
for a resumption OF the kissing, and an
attempt on the part OF four or five per-
sons TO ask questions. Mr. Washington
tried unsuccessfully for an hour 10 begin
his remarks. Finally Mr.. Lewis sent for
additional policemen and % responded
from a nearby station. The chairman
pointed out two persons whom ne con-
eidered the leaders In the opposition.
Granville Martin and William NJ. Trotter.
and they were arrested.
While the latter was being taken from
the hall. woman. said to be his sister.
stabbed one OF the police officers with
a hatpin, infiicting a deep, but not nec-
essarily dangerous, wound At about the
same time in another part OF the hall
Bernard Charles became involved In a
heated argument with supporter OF Mr.
Washington. with the result that he re-
ceived a deep cut with a razor.