The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1912-02-29
MAIZE IsY THE RACE IN HALF
CENTURY OB3ECT OF EXPO-
d. =, SITTON PROMOTERS
Congressmen Hear
Well-informesk Speakers Reclte His
tory OF the Negroes Advancement
Since the PrOmuIgation Of the
Emancipation %Proclamati0n.

Washington, Feb. 27.--A committee
OF prominent colored citizens appeared
before the senate committee on indus
trial expositictls in Washington re-
Gently in behalf of the bill introAuced
by Senator Bradley Of Kentucky pro-
Vidfng for an appropriation Of $780,
600 for an exhibition Of the progress
OF the race since emancipation. Sen
ator, Root Of New York, presided, and
Senators Crane Of Massachusetts, Tay-
, lor OF Tennessee. Newlarlds <of Neva-
da, Paynterr Of Kentucky, Stephenson
OF wisconsin, Jones of Washington,
Works Of California, Gronna Of North
Dakota and Swanson Of Virginia were
present. -. .-,
The speakers representing the Ne
gro Emancipation association were
Major r. r. Wright Of Savannah, Ca;
DR.. +. r. Wright. Jr., editor Of the
Christian Recorder. - PHILADELPHIA: !.
Professor w. f. B.. Du Bois Of New
York and Rev. I. N. Ross of Wash
ington, each having assigned to him
a particular phase Of the discussion.
After Senator Root opened the meet
ing Senator Bradley introduced Major
r. r. Wright, who told the object of
the exposition, the SUCCESS he had had
for the past six years in exhibiting
the progress Of the Negroes in Geor-
gia and reasons why national aid
should be given this exposition.
He stated that since 1876 the gov
ernment had appropriated over $25,-
600, 900 for eXpositions. He now ask
ed for only per cent Of that amount,
$3.50, 200. which is only 2 1-2 cents for
each. Negro inhabitaIt in the coun-
try
Major Wright then introduced his
son. DR.. r. R. Wright, Jr., who would
show the committee what progress the
Negroes had made which would war
rant an exhibition. This was done By
a comparison between the condition
Of the race in 1850 and in 1910. Dr..
Wright said the population had more
than doubled, being 100000 in 1860
and 100000 now; the illiteracy had
been cut in half, being 96 per cent
in 1860 and 44.5 per cent in 1900.
possibly under 40 per cent today.
Public school attendance had risen
from practically nothing to 100000.
In labor Negroes have risen from
farm laDorers to the control Of 917,-
900 farms and the ownership Of 250,-
900 farms. They have held their own
as farm laborers, besides developing
other trades. New occupations, un-
known fifty years ago, nave emerged.
There are 10000 Negroes in profess
sions today. Negro physicians. law
yers, etc, unknown in the South TO
the generation before the war, are now
in every city. Negro teachers num-
ber $4,000. Negro property holders
have emerged. No accurate count
has ever been made
Fully 100000 homes and farms are
owned. Wealth of the Negro is es-
timated at OO0,OOOO0O. Negro lit,
erature, art and music tell a story
of PROGRESS. There are over 200
newspapers, 500 Negro authors. Some
Of the most popular music Of the day
is written by Negroes, and Negro muZ
sicians have appeared on every prin-
cipal American stage, and Negro ar
lists exhibited in our leading art gal
leries.
DR.. Wright told Of the growth Of
Negro banks, insurance companies,
real estate operation, etc; also Of
Negro organizations, their towns
churches, secret orders, saying that
whereas the race fifty years ago. was
not organized, today organization is
the rule rather than the exception
One above twenty-one years Of age is
organized. These items represent
some Of the facts Of our progress, a
story which cannot but interest and
encourage all who have at heart the
progress Of our country.
The committee showed special in.
terest i'm the recital of the progress
Next Senator Crane introduced Dr.. w
e. 3. Du Bois Of New York. who told
the plan Of The exposition. 1t is tc
be held between January /, 1913, an
December 81 There are to be first
collected maps, pictures, models, etc.
representing Africa and African in
dustry. There would also be exhibi
tions of, second, the Negro physique
third Negro population; fourth, Ne
gro occupations; fifth, Negro educa
ton; sixth, Negro organization; sew
enth, Negro in civcs, Negro cities
etc.
There would be awards and medal
for meritorious exhibits. A grand his
torical pageant, a musical festival ant
finally a permanent exhibit, Dr.. j