Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-08-31
CRIME AMONG NEGROES.
Booker Washington Makes Earnest
Talk at Race Convention.

The seventh annual session Of the
National Negro Business league Of
which Booker T. Washington Is pres
ident, opened in Atlanta Tuesday
with over a thousand negroes from
all parts Of the country present.
Speeches of welcome were made by
Mayor Pro Tenn Harwell and Presi-
dent Sam D. Jones of the Chamber
of Commerce, which were responded
to by more prominent negro business
men.
The meeting was called to order by
w. B. Matthews, president Of the At
lanta organization, who made the
opening address. The regular pro-
gramme Of the convention was then
taken up and a number Of speeches
on various industries discussed by
negro business men. The sessions
will continue three days.
The principal feature Of Tuesday
nights session was the annual ad-
dress of the president Of the organi-
zation, Booker T. Washington.
After explaining the objects Of the
National Negro Business league,
Booker T. Washington, in his annual
address as president Of the league,
said in part:
1--WE believe that while the world
may pity a crying whining race, 1t
seldom respects it. We believe that
the influence of one great success in
really accomplishing something that
the world respects goes farther in
promoting our interests. Let con-
structive progress be the dominant
note among us in every section Of
America.
Right here in Georgia we have
abundant evidence that the negro is
learning this lesson at a rapid rate.
1t Is safe to say that the negro in
Georgia owns at least $4,000, 900
worth of taxable property and that
our people in other sections Of the
south have made almost equal prog
ress. Within the past year I have
inspected and studied the conditions
and progress of our people in the
northern and western states, and I
have no hesitation in reaffirming my
opinion that the southern states Of
fer the best permanent abode for the
masses of our people.
There is much that the brave, in
telligent, patriotic white men Of
America can do for us; there is much
we can do for ourselves. The execu-
tive authorities should see that every
law Is enforced, regardless Of race
or color; that the weak are protected
against injustice from the strong.
We have examples in several south
ern states that this is being done in
an encouraging degree.
"On the negro's part we have a
duty. Our leaders should see to 1T
that the criminal negro is got rid Of
whenever possible. Making all al
lowances for mistakes, injustice and
the influence of racial pride. 1 have
no hesitation in saying that one of
the elements in our present situa-
ton that gives me most concern is
being committed by members of our
race. The negro is committing too
much crime, north and south. The
crime of lynching everywhere and at
all times should be condemned and
those who commit crime Of any ma
ture should be condemned. Our
southland today has no greater
enemy to business progress than
lynchers and those who provoke
lynching.
I'VE cannot be too frank or too
strong in discussing the harm that
the committing of crime is doing our
race. Let us stand up straight and
speak out and act in no uncertain
terms in this direction. Let us do
our part. and then lei US call on the
whites to do their part.
Right here in the south there are
more things upon which the races
agree than upon which they disagree.
There is no section in the south
where the negro farmer, mechanic,
merchant and banker cannot find en-
couragement, opportunity and pros
perity In this respect let us not
overlook the fact that many similar
opportunities are at our door,"