The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1909-07-22

EN- NETT j. Scott. Of Tuskegee, Ala
bama, was the guest ;of honor. last
thursday evening at magnificent
banquet at Gyay's cafe, 1913 e. street
northwest, rendered by upwards of
a hundred citizens OF Washington
and representative tolored men OF
the country at large, The function
was designed as a compliment to Mr..
SCOTS very satisfactory service as a
member Of the Commission sent by
the United States government to
Liberia to investigate, the political,
social and Industrial conditions of
the. West African Republic and to
suggest ways and means by which
this nation could intervene in be-
half Of it's struggling foster-child.
1T was the aim Of the Commission to
discover, If possible, some method by
which Liberals threatened dismem-
berment at the hands of foreign pow
ers could he prevented, and how the
United States might assist in the de-
velopment OF It's vast natural re-
sources and to build UP commerce
worthy Of the name. Mr.. Scott and
his associates spent several weeks in
Liberia and the bordering countries
and their report Is now in course of
preparation for presentation to the
President and the State Department.
Mr.. Ralph w. Tyler, Auditor of
the Navy Department, acted as toast
master, and set g. new, pace in that
important Office by his witty sallies,
good-humored jibes and satirical ref
erences to the current happenings
with which the speakers were prom
tnent1y identified Mr. James
Cobb, Assistant United States At
torney, responding to the toast, Our
Guest" paid a lofty tribute to the
work and worth Of, the Commissioner
D1pl1mat, to which Mr.. Scott replied
In fitting terms, giving a clear and
yet modest state
ment Of what the representatives of
the United States, had tried to &C
complish through their ) ,inyestiga-
'tione in the "DsEas : sContinet."
Without forestaliih hfs+ Q flpIaff IRE IRE
port TO- the government Mr., Scott
told In an entertaining way of the
character Of the people in control of
Liberia, Of their habits and customs
and lauded the open-hearted hospi-
tally which greeted the Commits
sioners from the time they set foot
on the African shore until they re-
gretfully said "Adieu." He painted
q hopeful picture of the future Of the
Republic, as he perceived within the
elements Of strong national char
acter, determination to preserve
their territorial rights and an intense
desire to keep abreast of the ideals
and standards set by the people or
America. Mr.. Scott considered Ii
IBERIA the richest spot on the face of
the earth, considering It's area, and
felt that with the proper help, the
patriots there could establish for all
time to come tangible evidence Of
the self-goVerning ability Of the
black man. Mr. Scott's remarks
were listened to with the closest at
tent1on and at the close he was given
an ovation, the guests rising and
drinking a toast to his continued
good health and happiness.
Others who responded to appro-
pirate toasts were Major John R.
Lynch, paymaster in the, Bnited
States Army; Judge Robert H. Ter
rill, Of the Municipal Court; John C.
Dancy, Recorder Of Deeds; w. T.
Vernon, Register Of the Treasury;
Prof. Roscoe Conkling Bruce, AS
slstant Superintendent Of the public
SCHOOLS; DR.. w. Bruce Evans, prin-
c1pal Of Armstrong Technical High
School; Drs. A. M. Curtis, e. D. Will
ltston, and C. w. Childs; Mr.. r. r.
Horner, of the Board Of Education:
Attorney Gilchrist Stewart, of New
York, and Architect w. Sidney Pitt
man. All OF the speeches were Of an
unusually high order--spicy, elo-
quent and informing, Astounding at
every possible point In praise of the
wisdom and executive capacity of the
guest Of honor and predicting even
greater achievements for him In the
afterwhile.
hetters and kilograms, regretting
inability to be present, we're receiv-
ed from prominent men throughout
the country, among them DR.. Booker
i. Washington, principal of Tuske-
gee Institute; Hon. w. II. Lewis, OF
Boston, Hon. Charles w. Anderson,
OF New York; Hon. Harry S. Cum.
mtngs, Of Baltimore; Fred r. Moore,
or New York, editor of the New York
Age; Attorney Thomas l.. Jones, OF
the District bar; and Major r. r.
Motion, Of Hampton Institute.
DR.. Washington's telegra was
In part, as follows:
Very glad indeed Washington
people are honoring Mr.. Scott in
way he deserves for hard. successfu1
work he has accomplished on the
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