Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-02
ASSOCIATION TOLD
OF SLAVERY HERE
History of Emancipation
Legislation Traced in
Address Last Night.

Slavery in the District of Columbia
was discussed by the Association of
Oldest Inhabitants last night in regu-
lar meeting at their headquarters, when
the principal address of the evening
was delivered by James F. Duhamel,
vice president.
He related the history of emancipa-
ton legislation. and the growth and
decline of the slave population in this
city. Mr.. Duhamel said the slave pop
ulation in 1920, was barely more than
4 per cent, that later it rose to a much
higher percentage, but declined before
emancipation became effective. because
of the growing practice here of freeing
slaves.
The names of many of WaShingtons
most prominent shareholders were read
by Mr.. Duhamel, who related the ex-
periences of his own family which had
slaves. His principal purpose, how
ever, Mr.. Duhamel said was to dis
prove that idea that there was cruelty
to slaves here" He declared that
EVERY good treatment and considera-
ton" was generally given to slaves in
Washington, and that the medical rec
ords of his own father showed that
many slaves were accorded medical
treatment. The principal punishment
melted out to disobedient slaves here, he
said. was to sell them for shipment
South. He recalled one slave family
which was broken up when the mother
and children were sold South.
Reimbursed Owners.
Fred A. Emery said that the govern
ment paid for 2,989 emancipated slaves,
reimburSing the former owners to the
sum of about a million dollars. The
highest price, he said, was $788, and
the lowest $1095 for an infant
John Clagett Proctor ridiculed the
idea that there were slave pens" in
Washington. That's all bunk" he
said
Henry L. Bryan, vice president, was
given a vote of qualification" upon his
return to the chair of the presiding
officer after recent illness.
When the death of Albion K. Paris,
vice president of the association, was
officially chronicled by the secretary,
j. Eliot Wright, several members paid
high tribute to Mr.. Paris character,
business genius and wonderful life"
HE was one of our best men," declared
Vice President Bryan.
VIII Use Old Engine.
The cid horse-drawn steam fire engine,
which appeared in the Labor day pa
rade drawn by the three old fire horses,
Barney, Gene and Tom, which was re-
QueSteQ as an eXElDlG LOT TIE U1uSeuIH
of the association, is still be to used
annually in parades, Commissioners
Crosby informed DR.. Duhamel. as chair
man of the Committee on Halls and
Archives. The Commissioner asked the
association ito hold" its request for the
present, as the Fire Department wishes
still to use the engine in parades.
An old horn, which had been gift
to william w. Goddard, first paid chief
of the Fire Department of the District
of Columbia, in 1865, was presented to
the association last night from Joseph
Tunney, 1928 Holbrook street northeast.
The presentation was made by Secre-
tary Wright.
Mr.. Proctor presented to the associa-
ton an old handmade brick from the
old Capitol, which has been torn down
to make way for the new Supreme
Court Building. He read letter from
w. r. Bright, 90 years old, which re-
called memories of the old Capitol,
which later had been used as a prison.
New members Of the Association adj
nnitted last night were Charles H. Fran
zoni, w. @. Gleason. John j. Rosemond
and Samuel NJ. Wagner.