Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-22
BETTERMENT
NEGROES GATHER IN CONVEN-
TON AT EASToN.
Gen. Seth in an Address Promises His
Aid-Resolutions Condemn Crime
Ask New Laws.

EASTON, Nd, December pa conven-
ton of negroes from the nine eastern shore
counties of Maryland and the three coun-
ties of Delaware is in session at Asbury
Methodist Episcopal Church (coloredD Rev.
A. l.. Henry, pastor. The purpose of the
meeting is stated to be to discuss such
phases of the negro question as stigmatize
the negro as race, and to devise such
plans as will reduce the present rate of
crimnality among the race.
A preliminary meeting of the delegates
and ministers from the different churches,
representing all denominations in the va
rious counties of Maryland and Delaware,
was held last evening. when the officers of
the convention were selected.
The convention was called to order this
morning by Rev. A. l.. Henry, pastor of
Asbury Church. this city, and was opened
with prayer by Rev. j. c. Hawkes. of St
Michaels. Charles Turner of Easton was
made president, and Samuel Station of Mat
thews secretary. All the counties We're rep
resented and the large auditorium of the
church was well filled with spectators,
both white and colored.
Need of Concerted Action.
Rev. j. C. Hawkes. delivered an address
on the need of concerted action at tis time,
and Endorsed the purposes of the conven-
ton. Rev. A. l.. Henry of Easton offered
the following resolutions which were unani
mousiy adopted:
Resolved. by the colored citizens of the
eastern shore Of Maryland and Delaware.
here assembled, That the things discussed
at this meeting and set forth in the pub
lished call embody principles of vital i'm
portance to the colored people of this penin-
sula, and. in fact. to the race all over the
United States.
Resolved. That the ministers of all de-
nominations in charge of colored congrega-
tons be requested to urge upon their people
their cooperation in securing a proper OBJ
SerVance of these principles.
Resolved further, That committee be APP
pointed to memoralize the legislatures of
Maryland and Delaware at their next SEES
sions and urge upon those bodies the enact
ment of such laws as will, in their judg
ment best tend to secure proper appre-
citation and application of these principles.
Eloquent and pointed addresses were de-
livered by Rev. DR.. ]. H. Scott of Chester,
Pa: Rev. f. II. Butter of MOntclair, n. J.;
]. H. Station and George Rasin of Talbot
county
Gen. Joseph B. Seth of Easton, president
of the Maryland senate, made forcefu ad-
dress, in which he promised his hearers all
the assistance that lay in his power to
further their ends and provide a better
state of affairs among the colored people
Some Important Business.
The most important business transacted
at yesterdays session was the appointment
committee, which drafted the following
memorial, to be presented to the next legis-
lature. which was unanimously adopted by
a rising vote:
I'VE. the colored citizens of the eastern
shore of Maryland and Delaware, in con-
vention assembled. on this Dist day of De-
of a committee which drafted the following
ing principles in relation to existing condi-
tons:
I'VE are deeply concerned regarding the
prevalence of crime among the people or
this section. Crime has no color; every
capital crime which deserves capital pun
ishment. no matter what the racial identity
of the perpetrator or the victim may be,
! ought to receive the full penalty of the law.
I'VE call upon our parents to teach their
children to be law-abiding, industrious and
moral: to avoid idleness and corner loung-
ing; to conduct themselves decently and
orderly in places of public convenience. We
urge them to take full advantage of the
public schools for the education of their
children to be economical; to connect them
selves with the churches. and apply to their
lives the essential principles of Christianity.
1--WE call upon the churches to exercise
more diligence in making sentiment
against crime and immortality, and in caring
for the moral development of the young
boys and girls.
I'VE memorabilia the legislature to enact
some law by which the idle and shiftless
young men who shoot craps and lounge on
street corners may be declared Migrants
and made to work under the direction of the
state after proper conviction;
ITO pass compulsory education law,
applying to all children between the ages of
six and fourteen years:
ITO pass a law to prevent common law
marriages;
ITO pass a more stringent law against
the illicit sale of Intoxicating liquors by
what is known as speakeasies.
The convention will be in session to-
day and probably Sunday. 1t is being
largely attended and much interest is mani
tested in it's deliberations and the outcome
of it's work for the benefit of the colored
race.