Richmond planet., 1904-04-30
AN APPEAL FOR FUNDS.
Mr.. McGhee's Statement-TO Test Race
Legislation.

Legislation.
The women of our race, our mothers |
wives, sisters and daughters are pre-
pairing co go to the meeting of the Ma. |
tional Association of Colored Women g |
Clubs at st. Louis, and that they may
escape the indignities of the Jim /
Grow" cars, are casting about for |
means whereby they may engage spe |
clal Pullman cars at an extra charge
ana expense; and even in this many |
Will be inconvenienced and not a few
will not be fortunate enough to thus se-
cure the comforts afforded by the Pull |
man Company, and above all, escape
from the Jim Crow" cars.
All honor TO these brave women for
their foresight. undauntedness, and
courage too; but what shame that
they are compelled to resort TO these
means In order to have decent accomo.
datlons on public carrier. The women
OF no other race will be thus compelled
to do. And double deep the shame that
their being denied the Accommodations
facilities and privileges furnished and
supplied by the Pullman Company to all
others who apply, is chargeable to the
neglect of the men of our race. To pro-
vide against just this condition, for
eight months we have spent some eff.
fort TO collect funds to test the right of
the Pullman Company to refuse such
Accommodations.
All recall the case of Rev. II. T. John
son, Editor CHRISTIAN RECoRDER) VS..
the Pullman Company for refusing him
the Accommodations, facilities and privil-
eyes that the Company supplies TO the
public. The case was tried TO the court
and a jury; and the jury returned a
verdict for the highest amount the
Plaintiff could recover.
The Hon. kirkpatric who tried the
case set aside the verdict and gave judg-
ment for the company, Notwithstanding
the verdict, on the ground that the
company bad the right TO deny persons
the Accommodations of their cars solely
because of their color, and there was
no law, neither statutory nor common.
that forbade them denying such right.
Steps were at once taken TO carry the
case to the Supreme Court of the United
States.
We had taken the grounds that unless
the ruling was reversed the company
would enforce a rule, at least through
out the border and southern States re-
fusing its Accommodations TO persons of
color.
The first money for the case was
raised at a service held at ST. Peter
Ciaver's church "a Catholic Church of
Ss. Paul. Mimi With this printed
matter was gotten out setting forth in
full the case and the purpose to which
the money was Co be expended. Broad.
cast the matter was distributed and race
papers were urged to publish the appeal
for funds; ministers petitioned to ask
contributions of their churches; indivi
duals lmportuned and associations and
societies visited and contributions solic-
tied OF them, and all were requested to
send IN the names of persons who might
contribute. The receipts have not cover
ed the expenses involved and had it not
been for the National Afro American
Council taking the money out of its
reserve fund the appeal would have had
to be abandoned. And even now there
Is serious want for funds to prosecute
the appeal to final determination.
What now will the race do? The
company is enforcing such a rule.
Bishops OF our churches, and our women
are forced into the "Jim Crow car
there to be subjected to all the indigui
ties common to the coarser classes of
both races. Will we now contribute the
necessary money? Surely the conditions
make the duty urgent and imperative.
Longer delay but brings more hindran-
ces ana TO make success more difficult
TO obtain. For myself, still have the
~>. AOoPOhSO WllA Dt utu ana so
appeal again that those who will, to
send what sum they can. A dollar is
asked OF every one, but credit will be
given for any amount. A much less sum
would be sufficient if all would contri-
Dute, but we must provide against a
large number failing.
Perhaps l should state, though think
too l should not, some friends of mine
ana OF the race, Catholic Priests hive
extended me an invitation to come into
their parishes and lecture concerning
the race TO their parishioners and re.
celve contributions to the fund. Nv
mind Is, funds should come wholly from
the race. but the cause is that of right
between man and man, and all men
have to do with such cause This en-
Phaslzes In my mind the Thought that
the pastors of our churches should do as
much.
We are glad to furnish all informa-
tlon wanted and quite pleased to receive
the names and addresses of persons who
are likely to help so good cause.
Respectfully,