The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1907-08-22
Wednesday Mornings Session.

I Wednesday Mornings. Session,
The eight annual session. Of the,
National Negro Business League was
called to order short)y.t teft "a the
scheduled hour by Mr.. lra%iO. Guy, Of
Topeka, first vice-pres.dent1 of the
lorganization: After an Invocation by
Rev. Henry o. Brown. of<St. Simon
p. E. Church, Of this city; letter
was. read from Hon. N. w. Hook,
iGovernor Of Kansas, expressing his
hearty sympathy with the purposes
Of the League and regrettlne that his
| unavoidable absence from tLe state
preyented him from appearing in
person to extend cordial welcome
ITO the delegates who has: honored
Kansas with such a timely and he!p-
Fful visit. "Vice-president Guy then
introduced Hon'-T. A. MeNeal, stale
printer, In the governor's stead who
welcomed the League on, behalf of
the state. He referred TO the fact
that though the Negro theoretically
| had all the rights Of other peoples,
practically he did not, but there WAS
the triumph Of the scholarly John
Sharp Williams over the denlagogue
| Vardaman as sign Of an, improve
ment in decency apd right thinking
on the part Of the south. The marg-
/ in was small, but "every', little bit
helps" He thought the discrimina-
ton which the Negro suffered was
due to human selfishness, rather
than malice, and questioned wheth-
er If the condition - We're reversed
whatever the Negro would. be more
fair in his streatment Of the under
ldog.''' - ] 81 He locked, for "a. brighter day
Fin the future, when Justice would
hold sway. -, :. ~. a."
! Other addresses of welcome, in
tcUrdtaf vein were delivered by Mayor
William Green, Of Topeka, on behalf
of the city, and by Hon. T. A. Trout
man, representing the Commercial
Club. Attorney James N. Guy, speak
ing for the local Business League,
said the Negroes Of Topeka were the
most Industrious people on earth
and as such welcomed the coming OF
a body which would inspire them 70
even more strenuous efforts toward
industrial and commercial better
ment. &
President Washington i'm the Chair
At this point, DIR. Booker r.:
Washington, president Of the Nat
tonal League, assumed the chair,
amid tnmultuous applause, and re-
ceived the dainty Chautauqua salute
at the hands Of the ladies who we're
present in large numbers. He intro
duced in turn Judge Miflin. w
Gibbs, the grand old man ofs the
Negro race and Mr.. r. l.. Sfith, of
Texas, responded who felicitously to
the welcome address, of the disAng-
uished representatives of Kansas.
Then came the John Brown incident
lTelated above, and after this sing
ularly impressive interlude, the
League settled down vigorously to
the business which brought upwards
of 800 delegates and double that
number Of visitors to the city of To-
lpeka, ,--.. ;, .: '---..-.-
The first speaker was D. f. Upton,
fof Emporia, Kansas, who told Of his
Experiences Of "'Twenty-eight Years
as a House Mover" He was fol-
flowed by M. w. Turner, Of Indian
apolis, Ind, on 'fTwenty-seven Years
Experience in Slate and Gravel Roof
ing. and Contracting" and John
Spencer, Of Grinnell, Iowa, who de-
scribed his business in Cement
Contracting and Building" The
Ichief interest of .tha morning session
seemed 10 hinge about the st )ry IF
Robert G. Owens, of Los Angeles.
Cal, whose fortunate Investments in
real estate, beginning with small
| capital as an option dealer. have en-
abled him to anass property valued
at the enormous sum Of $675, ,GOO---
more than two-thirdB of million.
He Is a member Of the Los Angeles
Chamber Of Commerce and IN a
short time will have q monthly rent
roll Of $500. j.. N. Bell, Of Hous-
ton, Texas, also, spoke Of Real
Botate," in which business he has
achieved gratifying success.
Self"HelpfuIness the Cure for Racial
Ills.
The spacious and beautiful Audi
torjum, -ene-of- the very best halls
lin the West, was filed to overhowing
at the evening session. The principal
feature Of the program was the
sound address to the League by DR..
/, j. Continued on page six.
as.5. ~ ~ s. $40. - s--s-s