The Denver star., 1915-01-09
GOOD BUSINESS
IN JACKSONVILLE
Florida Metropolis AftaFds Our
People Fine Chance.
STATE LAWS ARE LIBERAL.

Former Auditor For Navy Department
Makes Encouraging Report the
Progress Of the Race In Sunny South.
Finds Many Thrifty and Some Very
Wealthy individuals.
By RALPH W. TYLER
Jacksonville, Fla.-In many ways
this city more clearly emphasizes the
progress that is being made by the
race in the south under the most try
ing handicaps than any other city.
First, it is blessed with a white popu-
lation that is not SO overly charged
with race prejudice as is found in
many parts of the south. Secondly.
among its $4,000 colored population it
has fine representation Of men and
women who have the determination to
succeed. The laws of Florida do not
deny the race the right OF suffrage.
and freedom from restrictions in this
respect to some extent ameliorates con-
ditions.
However. in spite of this fact it must
be admitted that too many Of the race
in this city and state are Indifferent to
the matter of exercising the right to
vote. Proportionately, there are just as
many whites in this state who do not
vote. This indifference, whether among
whites or blacks. is bound to serve as
handicap to the best possible prog
ress. educationally as well as mate
rally. The $1,000 colored people In
Jacksonville own S1.OOO.OOO in real es-
tate; they have invested in business
100000 and have ON deposit in the
several banks $25O,OOO. These posses
sions with approximately S2o0.OOO in
personal property, stocks and bonds.
bring the total wealth of the colored
people Of Jacksonville up to Sl.9OOOO
Here, as in other parts of the south.
l find to a regretable extent higher and
better education subordinated to de-
sire to amass wealth. the belief pre-
vailing that material possessions
lands and cash in bank-will eventual
iy prove panacea for race discrimina-
ton and segregation. The A. NJ. +.
normal school is doing splendid work.
and the enthusiasm manifested by pu-
pills and teachers from the president
down is most encouraging for the hope
that the race in Florida will yet awake
to the belief that II the highest and
| best education is desirable for the chill
dren of other races it ought to be de
sirable for those of our race.
The NJ. e. school. inappropriately
called a college, is presided over by Il
white minister. who, judging from the
unkempt condition of the building on
the day l visited it and the apparent
lack of enthusiasm on the part OF the
pupils. is content to draw his salary
alone. The work of this school. the at
tendance and the interest manifested
reflect no credit on the NJ. E. church
and contributes but little to the adj
vancement OF the race There are 40
colored teachers in Jacksonville. in
cluding the public and endowed schools.
There is total of fourteen schools
open for the education and guidance OF
colored youth six days in the week.
but there are sixty churches to CON
serve the spiritual welfare OF the race
open only one day in the week. Jack
sonville. like many other cities. has
too many churches and ministers to
support Some OF these churches are
presided over by able ministers. who
are doing Il grand race work. notably
the A. NJ. E. church and the lnstitu-
tional church. Some are simply exist
ing for the benefit of poorly equipped
pastors.
Due in large measure to the re-
sourcefulness and organizing ability OF
Benjamin J. Davis. Atlanta. Ga. pos
sesseS the largest and finest Odd Eel
lows temple in the country. Jackson
vile possesses the largest and finest
Masonic temple i'll the country, Il S105.-
COO building. This city has two of the
best informed insurance men TO be
found in the south in the persons OF
A. l. Lewis and A. Price. who have
made a splendid success. The largest
sea food merchant in the country is 10
Gated here about ten members of our
race being employed by the concern
Mr. Charles Anderson. the proprietor.
is also one of the most consistent race
men l have ever met. He is founder
and head OF the only banking institn-
ton in this city conducted by our peo-
pie.
This is the home Of J. II. Blodgett.
the big-both in avoirdupoiS and scale
OF business transactions-real estate
man. who has in past years contribut
ed more to advertising throughout the
country. Jacksonville. Fla, than any
one single person. Some fifteen years
ago Mr.. Blodgett was working as
laborer for 81 per day. Now he to-
tails his possessions in six figures.
There are two department stores in
this city. owned and conducted ny col
ored men, one by Richard Anderson
ard one by John l.. Harrison There