Phoenix tribune., 1919-04-05
AMAZING ACHIEVEMENTS Of BLACK
AMERICANS IN PAST FIFTY YEARS
(Associated Negro Press)

Washington, D. C.-An address of
more than passing interest was deliv-
cred in the House of Representatives
on Lincoln's birthday anniversary by
Congressman Emerson of Ohio. 1t is
of special value to the country at this
time, as it forces the attention of the
public upon an array of facts which
show the remarkable progress made
by the Race during the brief period Of
freedom. Statistics are not generally
interesting. These as a revelation of
astonishing racial progress will prove
an exception to the rule. Congressman
Emerson said:
ION this, the 18th day of February,
the anniversary of the birth of Abra-
ham Lincoln, it is very interesting to
consider for a few moments the prog
ress of the Colored people in this coun.
try who feel greatly indebted to him
for his efforts in seucring for them
freedom and opportunity.
ION September %, 1862, President
Lincoln issued his emancipation proc
lamation wherein he stated that on
January l, 1863, all persons held as
slaves within certain states were to
be free The close of the civil war
found the Colored man free-not only
free, but he was invested with all
rights and responsibilities of citizen
ship.
How he has progressed since that
time is now matter of history, re-
duced to figures and facts, and it Isl
well for us to consider them, bearing
in mind that the civilization and prog
ress and accomplishments of this race
have taken place in the last half of
q century.
In 1915 the races of the world were
in about the following proportions:
Yellow, 7O9. 9.OO0,OOO white 6OOOO,OOO;
Colored, 25S 900, 900.
"To give an idea of the great in
crease in the efficiency of the Colored
race, l desire to submit the following
figures:
Homes owned, 1866, 10000; 1916,
100000
Farms operated, 1866, 10000; 1916,
$4,000.
Business conducted, 1866, 2,1OO;
1916, $4,000
Wealth accumulated, 1866, $20,OO0,-
coo; 1916, $1,OOO,OOO,OOO
Nov let us turn to the educational
statistics
Percentage literate, 1865, 10 per
cent; 1916, rs per cent.
College and normal school, 1866, Is;
1916, 500.
Teachers in public school, 1866, 600;
1916, $4,000,
Students in public schools, 1866, 100,-
900; 1916, 1.796,OOO.
Property for higher education, 1866.
100000; 1916, $21 100000
Expenditures for education, 1866,
100000; 1916. 14,60OOOO
The religious progress of the Col
ored race has been wonderful, but
here are figures:
Number of churches, 1866, 700; 1916,
$4,000.
Number of Sunday schools, 1866,
1000; 1916, $4,000.
Number of Sunday school pupils
1866, $4,000; 1916, 100000
Value of church property, 1866, ST.
100000 1916, $76,OOO,O0O
"In 1914 in the State of Georgia,
Colored citizens made returns upon
$SS,63,S07 worth CT property and owned
1,5s2,555 acres of land.
''1n North Carolina Colored citizens
made returns upon sS2,197,SgO worth
of property -
In Virginia Cclorcd people owned
1,674,97S acres of land and had $S7.-
S51,973 worth of real and personal
property.
'In 1900 Colored people were inter-
ested in 81 banks and insurance COM
panies and held policies to the amount
Of $25 100000.
"Colored people have interested
themselves in Fairgrounds for chill
dren, social improvement, Negro up
lift, civil improvement and health i'm
provement.
''They have won prizes in raising
corn, pigs, potatoes and other vege-
tables.
"They have noted preachers, inven-
tors. teachers, sculptors. actors, art
lists, singers and musicians.
"The Colored man in tho war of