Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1912-02-10
CONVICTION c IN
THEATER CASE
Heavy Blow Against OIscllml-
nation on Account Of Color.
CIVIL RIGHTS LAW ENFORCED.

Vigilance Committee of National Asso-
citation Secures the Conviction of n
New York Theater Official For Viola
ton of tho Law-Victory For the
Whole Race
New York-The New York vigilance
committee, an organization composed
Of representative white and coloretl cit
izcns Of New York city and OF which
Mr.. Gilchrist Stewart is chairman and
Professor ]. l.. Spingarn Is secretary
and treasurer, recently secured the
first conviction ever had in New York
state for violation Of the civil rights
bill.
The New York vigilance committee
was organized for active prosecution
Of all infringcments Of the legal rights
Of the cOlored man and has permanent
headquarters at 2GSiA West One Hun
drew ana Tlirty-nfth street. 1t was
necessary to have an organized protest
against racial discrimination In order
to combat the increasing number Of
OutragcS against cOlOrcd men and wOm-
en- and to make effective the laws Of
the state which guarantee them equal
rights.
This organization has tackled The
problem Of police discrimination against
prisoners and their unjust arrest on
trivial ofrenscs. their naltrcatmcnt Of
has. through the cooperation OF Police
Commissioner RhineandCr Waldo. Sc.
cured equal protection and Justice to
colOrcd prisoners as is given to all 9th
crs. No longer IS cOlored prisoner o.
citizen miSuscd by n policeman in the
city Of New York. Next 1T tool. up th"
question Of certain localities where
gangs were in the habit Of insulting
coiorrd people when in their locality.
These gangs were dispersed.
Now it is vigorously attacking the
custom Of discrimination in public
Dlaccs-restaurantS theators. hotels
and cafes. 1t has brought q number Of
successful suits against these places to
enforce the civil rights law 4 custom
had been growing in New York city to
refuse colOred people seats III in" or
chestra Of the theatcrS. In test case
which was brought by the committee
Harry \. Levy. assistant treasurer Of
the Lyric theatcr. was convicted OF II
misdcmcGnOr for excluding Il colored
man and young lady from the orches-
ira seats Of his theater.
He offered to exchange the seats for
two in the balcony. but this was 70.
fused. After hard rawn out legal
6ght. conducted by Hon. Charles s.
Whitman, the district attorney. through
Mr.. James a. Smith. as assistant. who
had immediate charge Of the case aEd
Attorney Charles H. Studin. one Of
the advisory legal counsel Of the com
mittee, this first conviction crimi-
nally under the statute of New York
city had a startling effect upon preiu-
diced conditions. All Of the daily pa.
pers Of New York gave it wide prorni-
nence. The committee is fulfilling it's
purposes Of coping with the constant
increase Of discrimination and vio.
lence against colored mon and women
in this city.
The discrimination has manifested
itself in numerous ways in all places
OF public accommodation and even in
the administration Of justice, and it is
Of the highest Importance that an or
ganized effort be made to maintain
the civil rights Of all citizens regard
less Of race or color. 1t IS also essen.
ttal that public opinion should be in.
fluenced and educated in the direction
of equal rights or it will not be long
before conditions in New York will he
exactly the same rs those in the cities
of the south.
This can only be accomplished hT
such vigorous prosecution in ever!
case OF discrimination that the Ger
tciHty of a:3;ahi"@"; VIII de;Cr ry""