The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1904-03-05


cans of the Capital of This Great
and Glorious Nation for Our Many
Readers.
Washington, D. c., March Am
informal party was given by Miss
Sarah P. Johnson of Spruce street
on the evening of Feb. 22nd in honor
of Miss Louise Williamson of Phila-
delphia. These present were: Miss
Louise Williamson, Beatrice Ridge
ly, Theresa Lee, Maude Johnson,
Sarah Johnson, George Benjamin,
William Hawkins and Ocie Madden.
Progressive euchre and dancing were
the features.
The annual dinner of the Wilber-
force College Club was given at the
residence Of the president, Prof. W..
A. Joiner, Thursday evening, Feb. 25.,
The table was handsome with large
centerpiece of beautiful flowers and
festoons of smilax draped from the
chandelier and fastened at the cor
ners of the table with large bows OF
satin ribbon representing the college
colors. Those present we're: Mrs.
w. L. Houston, Mrs. L. Grouse, Miss
Williams, Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Blag-
burn, Mr.. and Mrs. James Wright,
President VIM. A. Joiner, DR.. Har-
grave, Prof. VIM. Board and Chas. E..
Hall. President Joiner took this oc-
casion to make a report of his recent
trip to Wilberforce, and during the
discussion that followed, several mat
tiers we're brought out regarding the
business management OF the lnstl-
tuition that were not altogether pleas
ing to the members of the club. Many
amusing college stories were told,
and it was with a hearty good will
that each member pledged himself to
aid Wilberforce in the manner out
lined by the club. Letters OF regret
from j. S. Johnson and Secretary
Talbert were read.
Miss Lulu Love has been indis-
posed for several days.
Mrs. Helen Wormley Anderson of
Wilmington, Del, visited the city last
week.
Hon. John C. Dancy, recorder of
deeds. lectured on "Things Which
Make to Greatness" before a large
and appreciative audience in Baltl-
more Monday evening.
A contest involving the validity OF
the South Carolina constitution which,
in effect DISTINGUISHES the great body
of Afro-Americans was recently de-
cided in the House of Representatives
bv Election Committee No. l., OF which
Congress sman James R. Mann of Chi
cago is chairman, in favor of Mr.. A.
F. Lever, a Democrat. Mr.. Levers
Republican opponent was Mr.. A. D.
Dantzler, a wealthy old ex-slave VINO
is, according to local papers, unable
to read or write more than his own
name. At the election Dantzler re-
ceived only 1877 votes, against 4,22O
cast for Lever. Dantzler alleged,
however, that upward of 1000 Afro
Americans appeared at the polls and
offered to vote for him, but were pre-
vented from so doing. The committee,
however, reported unanimously in
favor of Mr.. Lever, and the House
will probably adopt the report with
out discussion. Two Afro-Americans
made contests during this session, but
neither was successful.
The council of upper classmen of
Howard University held it first an
nual reception at Odd Fellows Hall
Friday evening, Feb. 26. 1t is the
aim of the council to foster social re-
lations between the advanced stu
dents of the university. The recep-
ton was a marked success.
According to the last report of the
Commissioner of Education, there
were 80 Afro American students in
the Illinois State Normal schools
twenty of whom were females. There
was also one female student in
private normal school.
With only forty years of freedom
to our credit, the illiteracy of the
Afro-American has decreased to about
a. per cent, while the percentage OF
illiteracy in Spain is IS, Russia 81,
Hungary At, Servia 70, Romania SO,
Portugal 70, Austria IS, and Italy 80.
In this connection it is interesting
to note the alleged movement in
Southern industrial circles. 1t has
been made to appear by the Wash
ington Post that the large planters,
land owners and prOprietOrs are in
viting European or Asiatic immigra-
ton from the countries above men
ton, "because Of the increasing
worthlessness Of Negro labor 1t is
also claimed that the Afro-American
CT the South is no longer industrious
and frugal and that "sOme spirit OF
unrest and discomfort has possessed
him."
Authenticated statistical informa-
ton shows the Afro-American of the
South to be both industrious and
frugal. The thousands of acres of
land owned in each Southern state, the
thousands of homes, the many bust
ness establishments and the increas-
ing value of all taxable property
which represents millions Of dollars,
is most healthy sign of industry and
frugality. But if the large planters
and land owners desire change, they
can, will and should have one.
If the thrifty Germans or Scandi-
navians settle in the South, they and
the industrious Afro-Americans would
soon own the whole country, and If
the illiterate Italians, Hungarians,
Russians or Portuguese settle in very
large numbers, the entire industrial
scheme of the beautiful Southland will
have to be changed. Immigrants do