Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-08
Ex-sLAvEs WANT PENSIONS.
Convention to Further Matter Adopts
Resolutions

The closing business of the ex-slave con-
Vention was transacted Wednesday, three
sessions being held besides committee ses-
slons. The proposition to pension ex-slaves
OF certain age was discussed by delegates
and others who were invited to speak dur
ing the day. Among the speeches were
those of Rev. A. J. Franklin of Georgia
and of Mrs. Callie d. House of Tennessee.
who made a plea for unity of action among
all of the colored organizations in further
ance of the object. Others who spoke were
John Fl. Handy of eastern Maryland, and
Rev. DR.. l.. e. B. Rosser.
Among other things he said: II am ma
tive of Georgia. My father was brought up
In Gen Rosser's family, belonging to some
OF them and he was his masters overseer
for several years. l believe the ex-sIave
ought to be pensioned and 1 believe 1t
should be agitated in some proper way. 1t
is, indeed, a great undertaking. / believe,
however. that there should be an age limi-
tation and l do not think persons simply
born III slave time and who never did any
service should be pensioned-only old and
lhnrm persons who came out of years of
service as slaves"
President Rodgers complimented the
speech of Mrs. House Several others fol-,
lowed in speeches which showed the earn
estness and determination of the ex-slave
to secure consideration by Congress.
AT $50 p. m. the closing session of the
convention opened. Dr. Rosser conducted
the devotional exercises. Many of those
present made speeches in support of the
proposition. The convention and audience
unanimously voted in favor of the move
ment. Resolutions were unanimously
adopted, recting that "the delegates repre-
senting the ex-slaves of the United States
in national convention assembled commend
President Roosevelt for the noble stand
which he has taken In defense of the con-
stitutional liberty of the colored people
since he has been President of the United
States.
1--WE appeal to President Roosevelt and
the Congress of the United States and the
American people to give fair and impair
tial consideration to the claim of the aged
long years of unrequtted toll
I'VE are opposed, to the amendment to
the railroad rate bill providing equal pas
senger accommodation on Jim Crow cars.
because its enactment into law by Con-
gress would extend the Jim Crow car law
into the northern, eastern and western
states, and. therefore, we appeal TO the
American Congress to strike that amend
ment from the rate bill now pending in
Congress"
Presidents Rogers then delivered his final
address to the delegates and urged them
to return to their several states and work
harder than ever to build up a sentiment
that will warrant Congress in granting the
relief sought. He was followed by Mrs.
L. Z. q. Rosser, wife of DIR. RosSer; Rev.
A. ]. Franklin of Georgia and several
others.
The following committee, selected at
previous session. 1t stated, will call
on Vice President Fairbanks In the interest
of the movement this afternoon A. w.
Rodgers of North Carolina, A. ]. Frank
lin of Georgia, Osborn Smith of Florida,
John Handy of Maryland. A S. Shields of
North Carolina, r. E. Gilchrist of the Dis
trict of Columbia A constitution and by
laws were adopted and a committee was
named to investigate the Office of the ma
tional secretary at 928 Sd street southwest.
The following committe was named on
time and place of next meeting. Revs. A. ].
Franklin, Q. Smith. John H. Hand, Mrs.
FL. Baynes and r. E. Gilchrist. The COM
mittee reported that the next annual con-
vention will be held in Jacksonville, Fla,
the first Monday in October, 1907. At IL
am the final session was held today.