The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-23
ON DlXON'S TRAIL
Topeka Negroes Incensed Over
His Play '"The Clansman."
Will Try to Prevent His Lecture
in Topeka.
PROF. CARTER TALKS.
Effect Of the Play Is DemoraIiz-
ing.
PROF. CARTER TALKS.
Governor HOeh Adds His Ver-
dict of Disapproyaf.

Had white woman screamed in the
audience during the presentation of the
dramatic climax in The ClansInan last
night, believe that the audience was
so a~oused, and their race prejudice so
inha-Eed that they would have seized
The few negroes in the audience and
thrown them from the building. It is
my opinion that the presentation OF
such a play will do more harm to the
negro cause than can be undone by %
lectures of Booker Washington"
This is the verdict of Prof. J. F. car
ter, president of the Topeka Industrial
institute and one of the best educated
colored men in Topeka on the Dixon
play last night. Mr. Carter occupied a
front seat in the balcony during the
play.
As a result of the presentation of THE
CIansman' the leaders of the cOlored
people in Topeka will make an effort to
have the lecture date of Thomas Dixon,
author of the play which is set Tor some
time in March or April, cancelled.
This lecture" said Mr.. Carter, viii
serve to still further arouse the public
mind against the negro, and we will APP
peal to the white men and women Of
'Fopel<a to have the lecture date can
celled I do not know who is bringing
Mr.. Dixon here, but it would be a mis-
fortune to the town if he is allowed to
speak
Prof. Carter went to work sys-
tematicaIIy to get the sentiment of
the audience which heard the play.
He saw to 1t that some of the leading
colored people of the city occupied
seats IN various parts of the house
Some We're in the parquet, half dozen
more were in the various parts of the
balcony. and there were number IN
the gallery.
Il had these eolored people go to
this drama" said Mr.. Carter Today,
lust to catch the trend OF the senti-
ment in that audience, and must say
that the expressions of the audience
were very hostile to the negro. The
people were worked up, and their pas
sfons against the negro race were
aroused. The sympathy of the audi
ence was all with the southern lead
ers; that was plain to be seen.
1.-THE events shown in the play are
very much -overdraWn. There never
was any parallel in the Carolinas for
the state Of affairs described. The ne
groes never had such control of the
state. There never has been any sign
OF negro domination in the south.
The carpetbagger is the one who
was responsible for whatever bad con-
ditiOns prevailed, not the negro. I am
very free to state that it is much better
for the president Of the United States
to appoint good Democrats in the south
than to apopint these lily-White' Re
publicans.
That actor who took the part of the
negro lieutenant governor and was so
often Kissed by the audience, gave a
very wrong idea of the wishes of the
negro race. The race is not seeking
what he was shown to be seeking-the
hand of a white girl. I think that in
this respect the play almost oversteps
the bounds of deeency. The negroes do
not want social equality. They merely
want recognition Of their legal equali-
ty."
It's Bad, Asserts Hocll.
Governor Hoch does not approve of
books and plays like THE C1ansman. .
He says they have a bad influence on
the minds of the public The governor
did not attend the play last night but
he said today:
II have read some of Dixon's books.
and must say that don't approve
Of that style OF writing It seems 10
be a deliberate attempt to stir up the
smOulderinP en- bers of race prejudice