Oakland sunshine., 1915-07-03


Planned to Show the Progress of the
Race Since 1s65-Nesro Historical
and Industrial Association Asks City
Councils Aid.
Richmond, Va.-The commissioners
In charge of the plans and arrang-
ments for holding the state and ma
tional exposition In this city to show
the progress which our people have
made during the past half century
have selected Monday, July 5. as open
ing day.
The celebration will run for three
weeks, closing on Tuesday, July 27.
The Negro Historical and Industrial
association, under whose auspices the
exposition will be held, has petitioned
the finance committee of the city coun-
ell through its president, the Hon.
Giles b. Jackson, for an appropriation
Of $4,000 toward the general expenses
Of the celebration.
The text Of the petition as presented
by Mr.. Jackson is as follows:
"To the Honorable Board of Aldermen
and City Council of the City of Rich
mond. Va:
"Gentlemen-There will be held in
the city of Richmond at the state fair
grounds from the 9TH of July to the
27th Of July an exposition and celebra-
ton In commemoration of the fiftieth
anniversary of the emancipation and
achievements of the Negro. We lay
emphasis upon the word achievements
because the main purpose of this expo
sition is to show to the world the mar
velous progress made by the Negroes
Of this country, especially in the south
ern states and the state of Virginia,
within the past fifty years.
"This exposition was conceived by
the brain of those most anxious for the
white people of this country and espe-
cially those of the north and west, to
view the progress of the Negro and see
how much he has advanced In the last
fifty years. We want to dispel the idea
that exists in the minds of some who
are not so we'll acquainted with the
black man and the relation OF the two
races in the south. We want TO show
that the Negro is not hindered from
making Industrial progress in this sec
tion.
1T is for this reason that the Negro
Historical and Industrial association,
under whose auspices this exposition Is
to be held. appeaied 10 the national
government for the means by which TO
create this exposition. AMI in answer
10 their prayer an appropriation OF
500. geo was made at the time we ap
Piled for tie amount. At that time We
had the promises of certain lar<e cor
por;itions that they would contribute
largely to the fund we We're raising
an additional sum of $4,000. but no
sooner had the appropriation been
made by congress when the European
war broke out. and the corporations
which made these promises asked to be
excused because of the financial de-
preston which affected their business
affairs; hence we fell short of the
i'amount we hoped to realize.
1T is needless for ME to say that to
4 promote an exposition of this charac-
I ter, which embodies all the states In
the Union. would of itself cost within
the neichborhood Of 10000, including
the shipping and returning of the ex-
hibits. therefore you will see that we
| are in need of an additional fund to
carry out the purposes of our associa.
4 tien. Then the fact that President
| Wilson promised d committee, which
/ waited on him on Nov. 8. 1914, that
he would be present some day during
the existence of the exposition. If not
at the opening, causes us to make
special efforts to make this exposition
a success.
I'VE have extended invitations to the
governors of the different states and
also to a number of senators and rep
resentativeS of congress who have
promised to be present Therefore we
| will have Il number of distinguished
white gentlemen to entertain. While
they will come upon our invitation,
/ yet they must he entertained by you.
/ Now that the exposition will be held
In the city of Richmond. bringing to
| this city thousands of white and col
ored people. and when the people
come TO the exposition they come to
/ spend money among the citizens OF
| Richmond we will need an additional
fund to carry out the scope and plan
| of our exposition.
l I'VE feel that. whereas the Negro
| pays tax on $3.1S0.G62 worth Of prop
erty in the city of Richmond, which l.
direct tax and contributes so largely
10 the indirect taxes of this city. we
would be justified In asking that you
appropriate at least $4,000. to be ex-
pended through the same channel as
$4,000 Is being expended by the Ne
gro Historical and Industrial associa
don. under the direct supervision OF
the governor of the state of Virginia
and also an additional amount to bt
expended By your committee for en-
tertaining the president and the othel
visitors above referred to.
eve hope that you will see your way
clear to make this appropriation. al
this is the first time in the history o.
the city Of Richmond that the coioret
man has asked for such an appropria
don. and we feel that the occasion
justifies not only the amount OF SIC.
600. but more"