The broad ax., 1914-05-02

What N 1nuuouttai WoSHy ep1
Gays oF Rsnswsd Attempt - etultify
Ambition and Check ths Prosrso q
ths colorsd cftizsns-Raes AUsl
contsad For, Ssstios.
The recent adoption Of new Segre-
cation ordinance In Norfolk, Va u
causing no little unrest among the
eoIored citizens against whose interest,"
the measure Is aimed The nrst segrs-
CATION law adopted by the city was de-
clared invalid. unreasonable and un-
Just By Police Justice James s. Bar
ron and ruled out BY Judge AeLemors
OF the city circuit court
The Journal and Guide, an inhuen-
dial weekly edited by P. B. Young in
Norfolk, Va, commenting at length on
the new ordinance In an able editorial.
IN part says:
'The new ordinance as adopted BY
both bodies Of the city council with
only one dissenting vote differs from
the cid ordinance In one or two essen
tial parts 1t establishes the right OF
the city to appeal by eliminating the
jaiI sentence from the penalty for rs
violation and under its provisions
whether intended so to be or motifs
operative In only such city blocks a
are already white or black a. de-
fined by the ordinance
.sThe old ordinance defined q block
as white or black In proportion 70
the number of white or colored resi-
dents In the block. Strange TO say,
the new law takes no cognizanfe OF
blocks occupied by both races. From
a layman's point OF view the ordinance
merely anticipates a condition that
may never exist. Still In its nnal
analysis II Is as Objectionable as the
old ordinance inasmuch as In its legal
aspects II abrogates the right OF one
citizen TO contract with smother and Is
A serious menace to the economic adj
yancement and even existence OF the
Negro.
STn order to conform to legislative
statute It Is framed to prevent con-
flct ana III feeling between the white
ana eolored races In the city Of Nor
foIk and to preserve the public peace
ana promote the general welfare BY
making reasonable provision requiring
the use Of separate blocks for residents
for white and eolored people respec-
lively.
sTn this particular 1t Is misnomer.
No arbitrary law, no manner OF class
legislation can prevent m feeling be
tween the races. On the other hand,
II can only serve to aecentuate race
prejudice and is Of itself a practical
demonstration Of III feeling between
the races. As DR.. james B. Dudley
has wisely said, That government Il
best that governs least-that places no
unnecessary restrictions and handicaps
upon the activities Of the people
'The vote In the common council wa
almost unanimous. only one member,
John ]. Pitt Of Washington ward vot.
ing against 1t. Mr.. Pitt made state
ment before casting his vote to the ef.
feet that be did not think the meas
ure was Just to the colored residents
Of the city. cannot get the consent
OF my conscience TO vote for It. and
for that reason make this statement
before voting Mr. Pitt also said that
he did not subscribe to the doctrine
that ''might makes right and that be
regarded human rights above property
rights
'Those were lofty sentiments II
requires great courage for a young
southern white man. to take that stand
He stOcd alone, which was not rars
thing. But It gives him more honor
able distinction because Of having
stood alone. The eolored citizens 81
Norfolk. who have long suffered a
the result Of unjust restrictions, have
written the name Of John J. Pitt upon
a ron Of honor, which q headed b.
the names OF fhose princely Virgins
gentlemen. TazswelI Taylor and James
s. Barron.
we tan % recognizes the necessity u
= 1EALEAlL8l D44AALAA-G - AN0AA1AMN
me Negro does not want to encroaeh
upon the precincts which the white
man has Get aside for himself. BE
does not want 10 invade the whitl
mans exclusive reservations The Ne
gro does want room for expansion
however. BE cannot Be restricted "a
an area inadequate 70 meet the de-
mands Of natural growth and survivs
the pressure Of economic composition
The Negrois light against segregation
Is not q light 70 live with the white
man. but 6ght to i've b. himself
I'VE have been asked why the Nero
objects to Segregation We Do rot Oh.
5ecf 70 segregation Is TolunfaEIly prac.
ficed b 10th racss because Of tie MT,
ural law Of selection which leads mem
bsa 81 separate races % group tnseth.
&. which Is good and desirable thinr
a our sifuation. but We % object e
segregation b legislation. because 4
stiematizss Us a. legal undeslrahies;
conslgus us 20 undesirable ioeaIItles,