Franklin's paper the statesman., 1911-07-15
BUSINESS men
HOLD MEETING.
Interesting Session In Natchez
Attended by Large Numbers.
MAYOR BENBROOK'S WELCOME

Enthusiastic Gathering of Mississip
plans Discuss Various Topics of In.
forest on tho Farm and Along Othel
Lines of Commercial Activity-Presi.
dent Charles Banks Prssides.
Natchez, Miss.-The recent meeting
Of the Mississippi Negro Business
were large delegations from all sec
tions of the state and many promi.
nent visitors from other sections OF
the country. Professor S. 81. c. Ow-
| ems, president of the local league, and
! also of NatcheZ college, presided over
| the preliminary meeting and made a
timely address. The address Of well
come was made by Mayor w. G. Ben
brook. I'VE welcome you to our city,"
he said, because you have come to do
good. We are proud of you and hope
that your stay in our city may be
| pleasant. l congratulate you on the
wonderful progress you are making"
| Others who took part in the prelimi-
nary exercises were DR.. P. II. Polk.
DR.. A. w. Dumas, Professor ]. 81. d.
Robinson and Mr.. j. e. johnson.
Charles Banks. president of the main
organization. presided over the bust
I, ness sessions. In bis Introductory ad-
dress he said:
Vt,<a <,R toll to .f
the past. This is the age to do some
thing. AS race we must show the
world what we can do by doing and
not by talking. 1t has been said so
often that we must not stand around
and complain. but must do something.
/ am glad to see SO many OF you pres
ent- This is a practical meeting and
not meeting for display of oratory.
These are the man and women who
are going to tell you the story OF their
success and how 1t has been achieved,
and out Of it we want to be able to In
spire others. You come here to get
new inspiration and to help others.
That man is the happy man who is do
ing something for his fellow man.
think it was the Apostle Paul who
said. No man liveth unto himself; no
man dieth unto himself How true!
But am not to make n speech
@. W. Kelly of Port Gibson told
how to Conduct a Shoe Store "A
Wifes Place In Her Husbands Busi-
ness" was discussed by Mrs. l.. G.
Jefferson of Vicksburg, Miss; "A Mes
sage From the Medical Association OF
Mississippi was delivered by DR.. d.
w. Sherrod. Meridian. and "A Mes
sage From the Teachers Association"
was delivered by Professor w. w.
Blackburn. Port Gibson
Professor F. J. Norwood told What
the Negro Is Doing In South Missis-
sippi," and DIR. O. III. Wheeler told
what the Negro Is Doing In East
Mississippi
Banking by Negroes In Mississippi"
was the subject of an instructive ad-
dress by NJ. S. Stewart, cashier of the
American bank. Jackson, Miss.
The main address to the league was
delivered by Professor Kelly Miller of
Howard university. Washington. Pro-
fessor Miller was at his best and de-
livered one of the strongest addresses
he has ever delivered in the south.
He was given great ovation at the
close of his speech.
"a Message From Louisiana" was
delivered by Professor NJ. r. Nichol-
son of New Orleans. E. P. Booze Of
Mound Bayou discussed "Merchandis-
ing" There were several other short
speeches made.
obstacles Confronting Negro Fra
ternities and How to Overcome
Them was discussed by Rev. s. p.
Fielder. ID. d.. Of Greenville. Miss, and
"A Message From the Negro Press OF
Mississippi was delivered by j. G.
Chappelle Of Greenville. Farming In
Spite of Boil Weevil'' was the sub
ject Of an address delivered by Har-
vey Ransom<of Natchez, and Professor
Fl. T. Tanner told How to Reclaim
Wornout Land" Isom Jefferson Of
Lexington discussed "Blacksmithing
and Wheelwrighting."
The following officers were elected:
Hon. Charles Banks. Mound Bayou.
president; Z. q. Ewing. Vicksburg.
first vice president; q. w. Gillian,
Okolona. and l.. j. Rowan. Alcorn,
vice presidents; G. w. Malone. Coaho-
ma. secretary; J. T. Strong, Itta Bena.
assistant secretary: p. w. Howard,
Jackson. corresponding secretary; e.
B. Topp, Jackson. transportation
agent; Il. H. McKissack, Holly
Springs. treasurer; w. d. Mollison,
legal adviser: w. w. Cox. Indianola.
q. D. Boiling. Edwards. registrars; v.
L. Ruebin. Bolton. state organizer:
Sam Anderson. Laurel. and ]. II. d.