Richmond planet., 1927-11-05
Mr.. JONES SPEAKS AGAIN
Editor of the Planet.

Editor of the Planet.
Sir:
The people who read articles writ
ten by the undersigned and published
in the Forum of the News Leader,
will recall that recently about one
half of the Negro clubs in this city
were criticised because they were not
doing anything that would justify
their existence. The writer wishes
now to criticize the other half of the
same clubs, the half that are trying
to put something over. They are
criticized for not doing enough; for
not doing all or even half that they
are capable of doing. Clubs like indi-
viduals should give to our community
and to our group the very best that
in them lie. More than this cannot
be expected, less will not SUFFICE
1t is reported that the larger and
more influential clubs; the cubs
which are recognized as the leading
organizations, have upon their roster
the names of not more than two
thirds of the qualified voters that
they should have. 1t is claimed that
other clubs which more nearly ap-
proach the ones above in influence
and numbers, have much smaller
list of qualified voters to their credit.
According to the number of colored
clubs, and according to their men,
bership they ought to number quail
fed voters by the thousand instead of
by the hundred. One is disappointed
to learn of the small number of Ne
gro club members who actually vote.
Dancing Versus Voting.
Now, if all the club men had been
as willing and as eager to qualify
and vote, as some of their number
have been to dance, to put on card
parties and to engage in other social
pleasures; if they had all pursued
life's more serious and helpful ways,
there would have been no conflict in
the Common Council because the name
of faithful old Negro janitor ap-
peared among the names of employees
on !. the Arent's Library pay roll.
Think of it, four public officials of
this city baked at paying an old coll
ored man $500 per week for labor
performed. But what else can be ex-
pected from ward politicians, when we
leave all the voting to be done by
them and by their friends?
Compliments Bestowed
1t is desired in this connection to
pay high tribute of respect, honor
and appreciation to Mrs. Maggie l..
Walker, Mrs. Ora B. Stokes and Mrs.
Lizzie l.. Stannard because of their
wonderful influence among colored
women; and because of their marvel
Gus efficiency in the management of
the respective organizations which
they control. All of these noted wom-
en- are resourceful and clever church
workers who have accomplished much
in their several denominations. Too
high value cannot be placed upon
the activities of these leading colored
women.
Crying Need
The crying need of the hour is for
more efficient organizations and for
more trained leaders among the wom-
en- of our race. We need the wonder
full influence of the above named wom-
en- and Others, not only in fraternal
orders; not alone in the church work,
but we need their assistance and CO.
operation in the effort to induce the
masses of. our people to become in
terested in Democratic politics and in
the race of Democratic candidates for
Mayor. Colored women should no
longer be content to remain in the
background of politics. Since they
have the right to vote, they should by
all means exercise that right. They
should be as proud of membership in
woman's political club, as of MEM
bership in the church. And voting in
Democratic primary should be con-
sidered a religious duty.
Two Greatest Forces
Since the Negro pulpit and Negro
press represent the two greatest
forces for good in our group, they
should get squarely behind this poll
tical movement and make it the
largest in point of interest and num-
hors of anv nreyious movement ever