The broad ax., 1922-12-23

SOuC 10 see me d. AiOdhJB ~N"
York"
The latter part of February, 1918,
we started on a visit to our mother al
Harrisburg, Pa, and on returning
home from our two weeks visit
through the east we came by way
of Albany, N. Y, for the sole pur-
pose of paying cur respects to Gov
ernor Sulzer. Entering his large
room in the state capitol of that state,
it was filled with the leading politi-
clans and statesmen of that state, and
as we looked all around right sharp
we did not see another Colored man
in sight. Before we could collect our
self together one of his assistant sec
retaries demanded to know who we
wanted to see. We very softly in
formed him that We wished to see
Governor Sulzer. Then he asked us If
We knew the governor and we re-
sponded that we rather thought so, at
the same time handing him our card
as it came our turn to be presented to
him. He was busy, his head hanging
down while in the act of signing some
state papers and as he looked up, the
assistant secretary, with our card in
his hand, started to introduce us, but
before he could get the words out of
his mouth, the Governor jumped up
out of his seat and exclaimed, Il do
not need an introduction to my old
friend, julius F. Taylor" at the same
time warmly grasping us by the hand
and throwing his arm around our
neck, causing US to feel right sheepish
for a few moments.
Then he returned to his chair and
pulling a large chair alongside of his,
at the same time waving his hand for
us to sit in it, so we could watch him
at close range conduct the affairs of
state of the great state of New York
and it was one of the very proudest
moments in our life to behold him at
that time.
The night before our arrival in Al
bany, Friday, March IA, he had deliv-
cred great Grafton in favor of Home
Rule" and on that morning he received
hundreds of kilograms congratulating
him over its delivery. While he was
still engaged in conversing with the
politicians and statemen he handed US
a batch of them to read. One of the
kilograms was from George F. Pea
body, one OF the leading bankers of
New York City and for a long time
one of the trustees of the Tuskegee
Institute, Ala, the late Booker T.
Washington's School, and treasurer OF
the Democratic national committee in
1904. and he wished Governor Sulzer
"Godspeed in his noble effort to Sc
cure home rule for the people of New
York"
As the time had arrived to catch the
fast express train for Chicago. we only
had short time to visit with him be-
tween trains. He wanted to know If
there was anything that he could dc
for US. We responded that there was
only one thing that we wished him
to do, and that was to give the Col
ored people residing in the Empire
state square deal as he had prom
ised to do. He assured us that
Within a very short time we would
be we'll pleased with the treatment
which the Colored people residing in
his state would receive from his
hands"
Then extending his hand to bid us
farewell, he first thanked us for trav-
cling a long distance out of our way
in order to pay our respects to him
and his parting words were, Keep in
touch with me. Mr.. Taylor. You
know ! am your friend" We very
softly responded. I'VE know that.
Governor"
In less than sixty days after we had /
arrived in Chicago, Governor Sulzer
,aused the Legislature of that state to
'nact and pass a civil rights" bill
which he promptly signed. Then he
Induced It to enact a measure appro-
'riating $4,000 to enable the CoIored
'eople residing in that state to cele-
rate their fifty years of freedom in
9l3, which was cheerfully signed by
i'm. He selected Prof. w. E. B. Du-
'ois to serve as chairman of the COM
mission. Not content with that he
ad the Legislature enact and pass
Ill creating a Colored military regi-
lent which should become a part of
he National Guard of that state and
D be oficered from head to foot by
len of the same race. II Is almost
seless to state that ike the first two
ills, he cheerfuily and willingly,
gainsf the solemn and bitter protests
{ many prominent people residing in
II parts of that state, affixed his sig
ature to II.
The Colored people in all parts of
ne civilized world will ever feel very
rateful to Governor Sulzer for brave
: performing all of those grand and a
preaching deeds and they should &
yer worship him as their patron saint {