Activities Among Negroes
A new item from Ashville, N. C., under the caption "Federal Appeals Court Upholds Negroes' Right to Vote," among other things said: 'The United States circuit court of appeals today ruled that the Democratic party in Virginia could not debar Negroes from participating in primary elections. This decision marks an important victory in the long successful campaign of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People against attempts of disfranchisement of negro voters in southern states.
"Today's decision of the appeals court affirms decisions by Judge D. Lawrence Groner of the federal district court at Richmond, in the case of James O. West against A. C. Billy, William Boltz, and William Richer, the three defendants being Democratic judges in the precinct in Richmond in which West lives. Three Judges denied to West the right to participate in the Democratic primary of April 3, 1928, refusing on the basis of the ruling by the Democratic party limiting participation in its primary elections to whites. Today's opinion was written by Judge Elliott Northcott of West Virginia and William C. Colemns, of Baltimore. The decision says in part:
'If all the political parties in the state of Virginia incorporated the same qualifications in their rules and regulations as did the Democratic party, nobody could participate in the primary except white persons and other persons could be deprived of a material right guaranteed to them under the institution as amended: That is, the right to participate in the selection of candidates to be voted for in the election.'
"It will be remembered that the disfranchisement method thus outlawed by today's decision follows successful efforts of the N. A. A. C. P. against state laws barring negroes from participating in democratic primaries. In the case Nixon against Herndon carried to the United States supreme court by the N. A. A. C. P. that court in 1927 ruled such laws unconstitutional. The N. A. A. C. P. is financing the Virginia and Texas cases and has rendered legal and financial assistance in similar action in Florida and Arkansas."
FISK COMMENCEMENT
The fifty-sixth annual commencement of Fisk university in Nashville, Tenn, was celebrated from June 6 to 11. The festivities begin with the annual oratorical contest on Friday evening June 6. Seven students under the leadership of Prof. John W. Work competed for prizes of $25, $15 and $10. The Judges were Mrs. Ethel B. Gilbert and Dr. Elmer Imes of the Fisk faculty and Dean George W. Gore, of A. and I. Tennessee State college. Marjorie Baltimore, discussed "The Native Problem South Africa”: Miss Ethel Brewer presented "Virgil and His Meaning to the World”: Tamenori Hara, a Japanese student, appropriately presented "America's Best Good Will Representative to Japan”: Lawerence Reddick, one of Fisk's best debaters, upheld the “Constitution”: Bereniece Roberts, told of "A New Appreciation of Women,” and Miss Pearl Sanders closed with "The Meaning of Fisk Traditions." Reddick won first place: Hara, second, and Miss Roberts, third.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
On Saturday at 1:45 p. m. students, faculty, alumni and friends made their annual pilgrimage to the National cemetery to hold a memorial service at the graves of the late President E. M. Cravath and his wife. His favorite hymn and spiritual was sung, prayer offered by Mrs. Sallle Palton-Burrus, of the class of 1876. Scripture was read by Miss Mary E. Spence, class of 1887; remarks by the present president, Dr. Thomas E. Jones, and wreaths were placed on the graves by Susan Harris Lowe, class 1875; Miss Harriett F. Kimbro, class of 1875, Dr. F. A. Stewart class 1885, and Prof. Thomas V Taller, class 1890.
BACCALAUREATE SERVICES
Miss Lydia Mason, bachelor of music, played Wagner’s march from Tannhauser as a processional at the opening of this beautiful service. Rev. Knox read the lesson after which the president of the university introduced Dr. William Douglass Mackenzie, president of the Hartford Theological Seminary from which school Dr. Jones graduated. The Baccalaureate sermon of Dr. Mackensie, stressed the need of the graduates belief in Christ. The Mozart society directed by Ray F. Brown of the Fisk music school singing "Gounod's Sanctus, and Benedictus," from St. Cecilia mass, John Whittaker, a senior and formerly a member of the Fisk jubilee singers abroad, singing the solo. Miss Catherine Van Buren sang Spicker's "Evening and Morning” as the offertory.
COMMENCEMENT
The commencement address was delivered by Dr. William J. Cooper, United States commission of education. He chose "Leadership" as the subject of his talk. Ninety-five students received their bachelor of arts degrees, twenty or these were majors in education, thirteen in English, six in music, two in anthropology; twelve in sociology; nineteen in business administration; six in mathematics, four in history; three in chemistry; eight in biology, and one in French. Six students graduated with special honors, one received his degree with magna cum laude. He majored in business administration; four graduated with degrees and cum laude.
VICTOR H. DANIELS WRITES
In a current issue of the magazine a most interesting article appears on "Negro Health Week a National Movement" by Victor H. Daniels, principal of the Cardinal Gibbons Institute at Ridge, Maryland. He has said in part: "It would be difficult to place too much emphasis on the importance of health to any people. This being said, it is most encouraging to note the number and character of the agencies which are cooperating with the National Negro Health Week." He then gives something the history of the movement and the value of the work done annually by the school over which he is principal, adding:
“Occasionally a question arises as to the necessity of this work for Negroes, especially in those localities where there is no official racial discrimination and where therefore the Negro is included in the regular health program of the local governments. The answer to this seems obvious. The necessity for special work will remain as long as undesirable living conditions exist. And even among those who live well, the stimulus of the concerted yearly effort to improve the environments and take stock of personal health is invaluable. Every year science makes its new contributions to the cause of human progress, and the yearly observance of health week carries these findings directly and convincingly to the people most in need of them. In the matter of health there is need for all the aid that private as well as public service can render. When therefore, as in the case of National Negro Health Week official aid for the general public is supplemented by private aid for special groups, both the special group and the general public are benefitted whether may be Negroes, or Scandinavian, Protestant, Catholic, or non-Christian.
PASS RESOLUTION
The Methodist Episcopal church conference for northern California just closed its annual sessions in San Francisco. Of the two hundred of more ministers representing as many churches in the district, there was but one Negro minister, Rev. H. T. S. Johnson of Taylor Memorial church of this city. He was successful in having this body of Christian ministers endorse and pass a resolution he introduced "opposing the segregation of Gold Star Negro War mothers', visit to France."
STATE CONVENTION
The California Federation of Colored Women's clubs will meet in annual session in this city beginning Wednesday, June 26. The official welcome will be extended to the delegates and visitors that evening at a public reception held in Fifteenth Street A. M. E. church. Among the speakers to extend welcome addresses will include Mrs. Daley, editor of "California Voice," and Delilah L. Beasley, who will speak on "The Value of a Friendly Press."
ENTERTAINS AT LUNCHEON
Miss Victoria Grace Shorey entertained at luncheon last Sunday the eight girls, who will serve as her bridesmaids at her forthcoming wedding which will be a social event in colored circles on Wednesday evening.
N. A. A. C. P. CONFERENCE
The twentieth annual spring conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will convene in Springfield, Mass., beginning June 25. The Spingarn medal will be awarded to Henry A. Hunt, of Fort Valley, and the Madam C. J. Walker medal to T. G. Nutter of Charleston, West V. A. Accounts of the conference will appear in The Oakland TRIBUNE.
RETURNS THANKS
Will Watkins, executive secretary of Filbert Street Y. M. C. A. wishes to return thanks and deep appreciation to all persons who in any manner contributed their sympathy for him and his family of small children in the sudden passing of his wife and their mother.
Activities Among Negroes/Sun, Jun 22, 1930 22 Jun 1930, Sun Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com
