Detroit tribune. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1933, 1933-09-09
Copyright 1893 by Robert j. willis
BEGINNING or LAW CAREER
CHAPTER 4

Upon his return 10 the State O
Michigan after having been absen
TO over twelve years. Robert J
made up his mind that he woul,
take up that course in law whicl
he had deferred for some time. H.
realized that the great battles o
lie are fought with brain and no
with Drawn. He entered the Law
Department oi the University o
Michigan in 1890 and graduated il
1898.
Every generation has It's heroes
its pioneers its ideals. hut lev
ever produce an iconoclast. Il
order 10 be able to look situation
square IN the face one must HAY,
true courage and a clear insigh
into human nature: To be- able &,
feel the urge OF the brolherhoo,
of man and the fatherhood OF God
one must rub SHOULDER to shoulder
with Gods creatures in all walk,
lof life After YOU have caught IN,
broader vision ami have received
secrets from The lips Of God. you
then become imbued with an ir
rrsistihle desire to be- "A guide L,
Your shipwreckcd brethren
While in the University. Robcr
J kept apace with the curreu
events OF The day and did MOI hesi
iate To speak up when hr ihnup'i
the rights OF his more unforiumat
people were being usurpcd.
In 1892 senator Lodge OF Mas
sachusset's Introduced into IT,
Senate bill known as the Fore
Bill. This bill sought To give to IN
newly emancipated slave the rigl
of franchise in all sections OF Il
i country, and provided strenuol
a measures for the enforcement
81 the bill. These maneuverS on /
a part OF the Republican Party {
a taRon.zed the south and hampe
the trade relation between the
u Hecuons OF the country. ~
- were some members of the
publican party who did NOT a
III liz expedfent TO sacrifice their tr
81 with the south on account OF s
n timent, and they promptly vo
against tho measure.
Senator Mcmillan voted again
the passage OF the Force Bill h
cause he was the head OF a
i'eninsuar Car and Foundr
Company ami other large indu,
trial institutions. 4 great deal ,
his trade was carried on with IN
southern states. and he did no
want 10 lose their patronage.
Even President Harrison wa
weak -knced ON the subject ANA j
. seemed thai the Republican part'
was intending 10 ignore the col
Orcd citizens altogether. The hil
failed because of lack of support
and Il. j Willis al that time ;
Junior ia The Law Department o
the University OF michigan. deem
ed il .ns duty 10 bring To the at.
toniion OF the Republican Stat,
Central Committee the fact thai
the Negroes all over the state ha,
begun To distrust the Republican
party. and that if the Republican
party wished TO correct that i'm
preston. they should form a Col
ored Republican Club that would
bring the delinquent ones bacl
into the fold.
The result Of this letter was the
appointment of DAVID Augustu.
Strakcr Commissioners of the Cir
cult Court and the election o
William Ferguson to the I.cgisla
ture.
The citizens of Michigan. boil
white and colored. realized after
reading the following letter. thai
in the person OF II. j. Willis IN,
colOred race had found champion
who was sensitive to all issues
that concerned the future Of his
people:
Chairman.
Republican State Central
Committee.
Dear Sir:
Noticing the drift of the color
ed Republican voters Of Michigan
! find that they do not enthusiast.
tically applaud the nomination Of
Mr.. Harrison. and to a great eN.
tent arc becoming lukewarm TO
ward the party. In many instances
they believe it best to act or vote
independently.
1T is pointed out that the Re
publicans failed to redeem tn,
pledge made in their platform 70
the colored voters, and intend e
dodge il again: that certain Michi-
gan men in Congress assisted IL
the defeat of the Lodge bill. The
colorcd voter is asking this ques
ton Which is the most beneficial
TO them as a race. TO have the I'm.
dustries Of the country protected
dn which industries they have a
very small interesD. or to have tn,
lives of the citizens safeguarded D.