The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-06
Brilliant Kansas NegrOWOuldn't
Speak at jamestown.
Didn't Have Time to Prepare
the Right Kind.
IT'S A SOUTHERN CITY.
Talks of Race Prejudice at the
Nations Capital.
Calls Attention to Important
Meeting of Negroes in Topeka.

w. T. Vernon, registrar of the
United States treasury, is in Topeka
today He has recently. declined an
invitation to make the dedication ad-
dress at the negro building of the
jamestown exposition.
Il didn't have time to prepare the
right kind of a speech for that occa-
sion," says Mr.. Vernon in explanation
of mis- refusal of the honor 1.-The kind
of a speech L might make in Kansas
would perhaps not be suitable for the
people of Virginia, and L prefer to let
some one else have the honor"
On Thursday Mr.. Vernon will make
the commencement address at Quin-
daro institute, and has several other
addresses to make later in the month.
Il have rented a house in Wash
ington." said Mr.. Vernon, land have
shipped my household goods there.
My family will go there shortly. 1 am
tired of living at restaurants and
want to take some comfort in life.
and have the things 1 like to eat 1
nave also been entertained by many
of my friends in Washington, and 1
want to be in position to return the
favors done me. l don't like to have
it all on one side.
Il have nothing to say about poll
tics 1 might say some things which
would be interesting, but 1 have no
desire to arouse anybodys ami
mostly"
DO you encounter much race
prejudice in Washington % was asked.
Washington is a distinctly south
ern city" said Mr.. Vernon at is
quite different from the state of John
Brown. But 1 make it point not to
combat this deep seated prejudice
which know exists in certain sections
of the country. In taking charge of
the office of registrar of the treasury
OF the United states, made it a point
to be conservative in my actions.
called all the heads of departments into
my once and told them that they I'M
derstood the work and 1 didn't; that
would depend upon them to do the
work and hold them responsible. I
manage all the affairs of the office
through the heads of departments. In
that way 1 avoid coming in contact
directly with clerks who might have
prejudice against my race. Anyone
who desires to speak with me 1 en-
deavor to treat with the utmost
courtesy, for that is merely official
politeness; it is business. 1t goes no
further than that. 1 want them to un-
derstand that 1 am not seeking social
relations.
II was in Boston, not long ago. and
was entertained there al a very elabo-
rate banquet. The mayor of the city
was one of the guests I was also the
guest of the speaker of the house of
representatives of the state. The
mayor had the courtesy to say in his
speech at the banquet that the next
time I came to Boston 1 would be the
guest of the city.
In Washington things are different
of course. But it is my experience
that the majority-of people are willing
to give a man credit for lust about
what he deserves
1t was reported some time ago that
Bishop Grant. Mr.. Vernon and others
are planning to organize a movement
amono negroes for Foraker for presi-
dent of the United States. Mr.. Yer
non had nothing to say about this.
Il seldom deny anything and never
explain" said Mr.. Vernon in speaking
of newspaper reports about himself
Mr.. Vernon is much interested in
the meeting of the National Business
Mems league, which is to be held in
Topeka about the middle of August.
Mr.. Vernon will probably attend, but
if he is unable to do so. he will send
his assistant. Cyrus Field Adams.
There will be several hundred of
the leading negroes of the country in
attendance at this convention said
Mr.. Vernon cit will be a very i'm
portant meeting. The object of the
league is to promote the interests of
the negro in business. There is no
politics about it,
Among the prominent negro bust
ness men who are planning to attend
this national convention are the fol-
lowing:
Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee;
E. ]. Scott, secretary to Booker t.
Washington; S. L. Williams, lawyer,
of Chicago, who was a leading candi-
date for the job now held by Mr.. Yer
non; ]. c. Napier. Nashville; John w.
Jackson, Denver. Colo; John c. Dan
cey. recorder of deeds, Washington,
D. c.; Judge r. H. Terrell, Washing
ton, d. c.; J. A Langford, architect,
Washington, D. c.; Harry Pratt,
Baltimore; n. T. Velar. New Jersey;
Fred Moore. editor of Afro-American
Magazine, New York; Phil Payton,
real estate, New York.
American Delegates Returning.
Queenstown, June 6.-The White Star