The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-02-09

! Chattanooga, Tenn, Feb. 7, 1911.
1.-The -honors heaped- -upon-J. C. Ma
pier by Booker Washington and the
fact that he is able to keep "'the
wolf from his door whether he has
the good will Of the majority Of his
people or not seems to have dwarfed
his conscience when the welfare of
the humble and poorer brother is in
Question. This is the general con-
lclus1on Of many who have expressed
themselves >Fecently about "The
tStatwart Ono waiting for his ~"fare-
I we'll banquet" In Nashville and ex-
pecting "the glad hand when he
igoes marching home to Washington
to take Vernop's' job. '-. :...... D.. .
The facts are as follows: Napier
has been considered the Negro ref
cree of appointments in Tennessee. :,
lSome years ago he recommended
j. O. Erwin, longtime resident Of
Chattanooga and Nashville, to a
fm1nor appointment in the Nashville
postoflice. They are "brothers in
loW Toward CONGREGATIONAL The church
waters were smoother then. than
they have been Of late and Broth
ler Napier and Brother Erwin"
walked arm-in-arm, the latter al
ways agreeing, however, with the
viewpoints Of Mr.. Napier The Rev.
MI. Bond was pastor of "the flock"
1t appears that he needed a better
JOB and he e-fnally landed --. as the
promoter and head Of the Negro part
Of Berea College that has caused so
much wrath and discussion in Ten
nessee. When the Rev Mr.. Bond re-
signed he was succeeded by the Rev.
| MI. U. Lake lines, q bright and
scholarly young minister Of high
purpose and ideals and unspotted
reputation. ~. -. ',- ;-' 49, .-''' = e. -Tr
! Rev. Mr.. lines had a few Ideas Of
ms own about rescuing Howard Con-
gregational church from among the
fading influences Of Nashville. These
Ideas seemed to cross the notions Of
Napier and the circle he dominated.
The result was clash and an effort
TO crush the life. out Of the young
| minister and possibly spoil useful
| career. But the Napier side lost.
lines finally resigned Of his own ac-
force OF famous Tuskegee. If re-
| ports are true Of the young man, he
J is valuable addition to the school
| forces.
Now Erwin left the Napier ship"
IN this storm and yielding to his in
nate desire to see every man have
a square deal" he enlisted under
the standard Of the common people
wffo~Wefe~ e~increasing in power in
the church bearing the name Of Gen.
o. 0. Howard
Napier Is accused Of being a man
who cannot bear opposition even
though 1T Is of the righteous kind.
some say that in order to get along
with him, you must fet him do the
thinking, talking and acting or you
Will receive his mark IN. G." This
goes in the case Of all men EXCEPT
| Booker Washington who in his Gus
tomary generous manner has been
carrying Napier along in spite Of his
uppopuIarity among the majority OF
the people Of his State.
| Howard church is not q large
church but it has many good people
enrolled on its book. 1t is said by
some that it grew to be so largely
Napier's church In every way they
had lost their enthusiasm and for
that reason absented themselves on
various occasions. At any rate, it
appears that Napier never recovered
from the shock that he had lost
| power in his church when, what was
considered his plan to get rid Of min
lister lines was turned down. After
that, all his propositions we're turn
ed down and "the" common people"
gained the ascedancy. And he nev-
cr forgot Erwin, If reports are true
| and we have 1t from good authority
that such is the case.
Recently Major Wills, the Nash
Vile postmaster, notified Erwin of
his dismissal because Of old age.
Erwin was surprised. The excuse
seemed fimsy one in the light of
his years and efficient service. Err
win Is no politician but he is q man
very dear to the hearts Of many Of
| tho best people Of Hamilton county
and Davidson as we'll. He lived here
nearly thirty years. He needed the
work and the money and It did not
seem just and reasonable to have
him cast out for he has two bright
young daughters in Fisk and a
younger son to educate. He has
been a good husband, father and cit
izen even if he has been an humble
one His friends, white and black,
took the master in hand. Napier was
held responsible for Erwin's misfor-
tune and the facts as reported seem