Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-11-24

The outstanding feature of the
great Municipal election of this city
last week. was the clcc ion OF T.. a.
Johnson, as the Negro member of the
ASScmb y of the Nineteenth District
and mus ends one of the most noted
political fights ever waged by Negroes
in ting city for elective Representations.
The election OF Mr. johnson has
brought forth wide comment from
,he daily newspapers of this city, and
the large co orcd population Of this
city, has rcjoiccd over his election
and 1T will mark the fist time in tho
history Of thc Negro in this city when
thcy VIII be represented by one of
their own in the legislature. Ever
since MIR. Johnson was nominated in
the Primary he has been the center
Of attraction in this election and his
election was regarded as an impcssi
bility on the part Of clever politicians
OF this city. lie won in one Of the
largest districts in New York. the
majority of voters, being white lie
pollcd 3,S63 votes. and won over his
white opponent by 1923. The entire
voting strength Of the district Is 10.
700. 1000 OF them being co.ored. and
while 1t is safe to say that the bulk
OF the colored voters went 20 Mr. John
son it was the assistance to a large
degree of the white votes thaH made 1t
possible for him to win. Mr.. Johnson
goes to his new office with a noted
record and has received fine back
ground for the office. He has long
been foremost in the national life OF
the race and long before he came to
this city his reputation MS an
author. educator, and juri.t was well
known. His career which has been
varied is inspiring to the youth Of
the race and he has won his present
place in 'ifc thru the sheer strength
OF his ability and character. He was
born IN Raleigh, n. c., and was educat
cd IN the public schools of the city,
and in Atlanta and Shaw Universities
After his graduation fl ON the law
school OF Shaw he became teacher
OF law and rose to the office OF dean
1T was while serving as dean that hc
came To prominence as q lawyer. He
N'a2 acIIVc III the Pr Nticai lie OF that
Stale and served rs Alderman in tho
city councils Of Raleigh, and was elect
cd assistant district Attorney of
that State. He was formely principal
or the Washington Strcey School in
that City, and his .hool book of the
Negro has been adopted b the cduca
tional authorities for use in the pub
lie schools. he came to this city in
1906 and HAS since been active in the
civic life of the race here. He lives
at II West 1872 Stree in the heart OF
the Negro population. and his interest
in the race will cause hicl to take
keen interest in I'll matters relating
to their interest. re made his appeal
to the voters on a platform that was
Dased upon a Square deal" for the
working man and promises to work
Tor legis hticn hat will be of aid to
the laborer. He has also made close
study of the food question in this di
rcctlon he will be OF great id to the
interest Of the women of the race.
The election OF James G.. Thomas,
Jr.. who ran for Alderman in the 26
District is sti Il in doubt. The Negro
population of this big city which mas
rose to its besl self h done a magni
flccnt history event, and November
=, 1917 ought TO be held sacred by
the Negroes Of America 1t was the
persis;ency of the United Civic Lea
que fcnndcd by John NJ RoyaN and
made up OF group Of we'll known
business and professional men, that
sible for the eection OF Mr.
johnson. Since 1913 the league has
been waginG a fi.sht to have n. II of
the race cctcd to public office
Since ,hen they have kept a colorcd
candidate in the field. 1t is .lopcd
that at the next writing a more favor
aMc report will be made concerning
young Thomas.
ltEV. DIR. c. G ALLEYNE MAX
ING GOOD AS GEN. OFFICER