Franklin's paper the statesman., 1912-02-24
CONGRESS
MAY GIVE
BIG SUN

MAJOR wright tnen lnttouuceu His
son. d.. II. X. Wright. Jr., who would
show the committee what progress the
Negroes had made which would war
rant an exhibition. This was done by
n compa rison between the condition OF
the race in 1850 and in 1910. DIR.
Wright said the population had more
than doubled. being 100000 in 1850
and 100000 now: the illiteracy had
been cut In half being 9G per cent In
1850 aud 4i.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 laborers to the control of 91t,-
600 farms and the ownership OF 2Jo.-
600 farms They have held their own
as farm laborers. besides developing
OF her trades. New occupations, un-
known fifty years ago. have emerged.
There are Co.O0O Negroes in profes-
xiuns today. Negro physicinns. law
yers etc. unknown In the south to the
generation before the war. are now In
eVety city Negro teachers number
.. 600. Negro property holders have
emerged No accurate count has ever
been made.
Fully 100000 homes and farms are
owned Wealth of the Negro is estimat-
ed at $1,000 100000. Negro literature.
urt and music tell n story of progress.
There are over 200 newspapers, 800
Negro authors. Some OF the most
popular music of the day is written by
Negroes. and Negro musicians have
appeared on every principal American
stage. and Negro artists exhibited In
our leading art galleries.
DR. Wright told of the growth OF
Negro banks. insurance companies.
real estate operation. etc; also OF
Negro organizations. their towns.
chprches 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 Thesc items represent some
OF the facts of our progress. story
which cannot but interest and encour-
ngc all who have Mt heart the progress
of our country.
The committee showed rpecial in
tercs, In the recital Of the progress.
Next Senator Crane introduced DR.. w.
T.. b. Du Bois of New York. who told
the plan of the exposition. 1t is to be
held between Jan. l. 1913. and Dec.
81. There are to be, first. collected
maps. pictures. models etc. represent
Ing Africa and African industry. There
would also be exhibitions of. second.
the Negro physique: third, Negro pop
ulation: fourth. Negro occupations:
afth. Negro education; sixth. Negro
organization: seventh. Negro in civics.
Negro cities. etc.
There would be awards and medals
for meritorious exhibits. A grand his
toricai pageant. musical festival and
finally II permanent exhibit. DR.. J. n.
Ross, pastor of the Metropolitan
church, Washington. made the closing
address on the good such an exhibition
would do. His speech was pronounced
one of the most eloquent and pointed
Ave minute speeches ever made before
the committee. DIR. Ross said in sub
stance: "Such an exposition would
show the renl significance Of the
American form, of government and the
meaning of American opportunity.
"Second.-It would be an inspiration
to millions Of our people who do not
know the opportunities that are theirs
and who are respondent because of ig-
norance OF the progress made by their
race.
"Third.-It would inspire hope and re-
spect in the whites. They would then
see side of the Negro which Is not
usually seen and would be brought to
respect him more, thus bringing about
more friendly feeling among the races,
"Fourth.-It would also show the
world that America has interest In all
her people" Senator Bradley then
made n few remarks, and Major Wright
thanked the committee. which went i'm
III AL. l.,kx, n nd