The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1915-07-31
NEGRO BISHOP WAS BURNED IN
EFFlGY.

Friends of Dr.. W. T. Vernon Bitter
Against Bishop J. w. connor.
Because he opposed the reelection
of DR.. w. T. Vernon to the presidency
of Campbell college, Bishop ]. NJ. Con
nor of the African Methodist church,
was burned in effigy at the negro
Methodist church on Pearl street last
night. More than 500 angry and ex-
cited Negroes participated in the
event. A police squad was on hand,
but no effort was made to interfere
with the ceremony.
DR.. Vernon has served as president
of Campbell college for several years
He served as register of the treasury
under President Cleveland's admins
tration.
The ceremony had several humor-
GUS aspects. The et'figy of Bishop
Connor was notably fat and portly
Negro, clad in a silk hat and frock
coat. The figure was placed on the
end of pole, and after being carried
around through the crowd, was set
on fire.
Lengthy resolutions were adopted,
denouncing Bishop Connor, and de-
claring that his hostility to Dr. Yer
non was actuated by jealousy, spite
and malice.
Nearly 100 white people, attracted
to the scene b ythe angry shouts and
passionate speeches, witnessed the
ceremony. Diamond Cox presided as
chairman of the meeting, with A. j.
Wade as secretary The principal
speaker was P. w. Howard, who wrote
the resolutions denouncing Bishop
Connor.
DIR. Vernon is unquestionably popu-
lar among the colored people of Jack
son, and when the college board failed
] to re-elect him to the presidency much
surprise and astonishment was caused,
! eliminating in the mass meeting last
night.
One thing is quite certain regarding
the affair. Bishop Connor may hold
the whip hand, but it probably would
be rather unsafe for him to come to
Jackson and try to use it,
DR.. Vernon was defeated for re-elec-
tion to the presidency of Campbell
college by a vote of II to 10. Bishop
Connor appoints Is of the 25 members
of the board of trustees, and his OPP
ponents declare that he stacked the
board against DR.. Vernon, holding a
whip hand over the preacher-mem-
bers, who realized that they could not
get good assignments next year un
less they voted his wishes.
The Resolutions.
The resolutions adopted last night
we're framed by j. w. Howard, well
known colored lawyer, and are as fol
lows;
Whereas, DIR. w T. Vernon has
come to the city OF Jackson as presl
dent of Campbell college and served
this institution faithfully, efficient and
well; and,
Whereas, DR.. Vernon has made sac
rifices to come into the far southland
to render service among the rank and
file of our people that he might ele
vate our sons and daughters and teach
the mthe straight and narrow path t.
righteousness and truth; and,
Whereas, This community and tbs
great state of Mississippi have beer
inspired and enthused by the broaC
and liberal erudition of this great edu
Gator and platform speaker of nation
al renown; and,
Whereas, He has endeared himsel
IN the hearts of the people because
of his Christian character and nobl'
example together with the culture ant
refinement of his most amiable wife
and,
Whereas. There has grown up |
spirit OF jealousy on the part of Bish
} op j. M. Conner and few ministerial
minions because of the great abilit
displayed by Dr.. Vernon as a scholar