The Washington bee., 1907-08-24
Wedncsdar Mornine,s Session


hour by Mr. Ira o. Guy, OF Topeka,
hrst vice-president Of the organization.
After an invocation by Rev. Henry B.
Brown, OF the StSimon Protestant Epis-
copal Church OF this city, a letter was
read from Hon E w. Hoch, Governor
of Kansas, expressing his hearty sympa-
thy with the purposes of the League
and regretting that his unavoidable alb
senCe from the State prevented him
from appearing in person to extend
cordial welcome to the delegates who
hay honored Kansas with such a timely
and helpful visit. Vice President Guy
then introduced Hon T. A. McNeal.
State Printer, who, in the Governors
stead welcomed the League on behalf
of the State. He referred to the fact that
though he Negro theoretically had all
he rights of other people, practically he
did not; but thought there was hope for
the future. He regarded the triumph
of the scholarly John Sharp Williams
over the demagogue Vardaman as a
sign OF an Improvement IN decency and
right thinking on the part of the South.
The margin was small, but every little
bit helps" He thought the discrimina-
ton which the Negroes suffered was due
to human selhshness, rather than malice,
and questioned whether, if the conditions
were reversed, the Negro would be more
fair in his treatment Of the under dog"
He looked for brighter day in the fu-
ture, when justice would hold sway.
Other addresses Of welcome, in cor
dial vein, were deliverd by Mayor Will
lam Green, Of Topeka, on behalf Of the
city, and by Hon. J. A. Troutman, rep
resenting the Commercial Club. Attor-
ney James H. Guy, speaking for the 10
cal Business League, said the Negroes
of Topeka were the most industrious
people on earth, and as such welcomed
the coming of a body which woud in
spire them to even more strenuous ef-
forts toward industrial and commercial
betterment.
President Washington in the Char.
At this point Dr. Booker T Washing
ton,president of the National Negro Bus
mess League, assumed the chair, amid
tumultuous applause, and received the
dainty Chautauqua salute at the hands
of the ladies, who were present in large
numbers. He introduced in turn Judge
Mifflin w Gibbs, "the grand old man of
the Negro race" and Mr. R. L. Smith,
of Texas, who responded felicitously TO
the welcome addresses Of the distinguish
ed representatives OF Kansas. Then came
the John Brown incident related above,
and after this singularly impressive IN
terlude. the League settled down vigOr-
ously to the business which brought the
upward of three hundred delegates and
double that number of visitors to the
city of Topeka.
The first speaker was D. F Upton,
of Emporia, Kansas, who told of his
experiences of Twenty Years as
a House. Mover He was followed by
NJ. w Turner, of Indiapolis, Ind, on
Twenty seven Years Experience in
Slate and Gravel Roofing, and Con-
tracing" and John Spencer, of Grin
nell, Iowa, who described his business
in Cement Contracting and Ruilding."
The chief interest of the morning ses-
sion seemed to hinge about the story of
Robert c. Owens, of Los Angeles, Cal
ifornia, whose fortunate investments IN
real estate, beginning with small capital
as an option dealer, have enabled him to
amass property valued at the enormous
sum of SOS, ,OOO-narly two-thirds of
million He is a member of the Los
Angeles Chamber Of Commerce, and in
a short time will have monthly rent
roll of $500 ]. n. Bell, Of Houston,
Tex. also spoke on Real Estae, in
which business he has achieved a graft
flying success. 4,
SeIf-HeipfuiHeSS the Care for Racial Ills
The spacious and beautiful Auditori-
um. one of the very best halls IN the
West, was filed TO overflowing at the
evening session The principal feature
of the program was the annual address
TO the League by DIR. Washington. The
deliverance contained much that was new
and some that was not new, but never
before Had a Kansas audience heard him
speak with the fervor, sincerity and IN
tense earnesmess which characterized
his utterance on this occasion. The pre-
yailing tenor of the address was DO
something 10 help yourself, if you would
rise In the sTorld." Success IS an indl-
vidual problem No power on earth
can make a weak man strong. The speak
er emphasized the necessity for grasping
our opportunities. and of not only get
ting eduaction, but to develop the means
bv which that education can be utilized.
Education IS of little value if II IS not