Activities Among Negroes
The colored people throughout the nation are deeply grieved over the death of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. He was a true and dependable friend of the race.
Echoes from the national election give the colored people many offices of importance. Most of them are residents of Chicago. The leader of all the Republican party activities among colored people was Roscoe Conkling Simmons, a staff correspondent of the Chicago "Defender." He is also the president of the Lincoln league, which is composed of all the leading colored men of the United States. The activities of the Republican party colored women voters was given over to the leadership of Miss Hallie Q. Brown. Both activities had offices in Wrigley building of Chicago.
Illinois will have in the state legislature three colored men, namely Warren Douglass, and S. B. Turner, who were re-elected, and William E. King. In the state senate they will be represented by Adelbert H. Roberts. He has served two terms in the Illinois house of representatives, making an enviable record. Previously he served for many years as clerk of the municipal court of Chicago. The city of Chicago will also have a colored municipal judge in the person of Attorney Albert B. George. He is well qualified for the position. He was born and educated in Washington, D. C., afterwards entering the Spencerian business college. Graduating, he went to Altoona, Pa., where he studied law under the tutelage of {sic} Mervin while serving as justice of the peace. Later he went to Chicago, and entered the Northwestern University law school. After graduation he was admitted to the bar, and has practiced in Chicago for twenty-six years. His candidacy was endorsed by the Chicago Bar Association and other white organizations. But recently Attorney Sulley James of Springfield, Ohio, was appointed to that position by Judge Miller of that city. Other colored men who have filled similar positions have been J. Pennoyer Jones, who served as probate judge in Arkansas during reconstruction days. Later George L. Ruffin, of Massachusetts, was appointed by Governor B. F. Butler of that state to serve as Judge of the Charlestown police court, and Robert H. Terrill, appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents to preside over a magistrate's court in Washington, D. C.
The "Negro World," which is the official organ of the U. N. organization and as such endorsed the election of President Coolidge and Governor Albert Smith of New York, in this week's issue, has an article headed, 'Something New Under the Sun." The article states "that on Tuesday evening. October 27, Mr. Davis, candidate for U. S. president, and Governor Albert Smith, of New York, addressed six thousand negro voters in Liberty hall, New York city. Davis said in conclusion, 'I hope you will all vote the state Democratic ticket,' and everybody said 'Yes.' Afterwards Governor Smith closed his remarks with a plea for everybody to vote for Davis and Bryan." The article then states, "Something New Under the Sun. The six thousand colored voters remained very silent, for they had been instructed by their leaders to vote for Coolidge."
California colored people distinguished themselves in the east. The latest to receive commendable press notice is Mrs. Eloise Bibb Thompson, of Los Angeles. She spent last year in Columbia University, studying short story and scenario writing. This year she is attending the Ethiopian Art school of New York City. Recently this school rendered three one-act-plays, the workmanship of students of the school under the auspices of the National Ethiopian Art theater. The second play produced was one written by Mrs. Eloise Bibb Thompson, called "Cooped Up." The New York "Age," weekly; in commenting on the play, has said: "It was the most realistic play written." The writer will add that Mrs. Thompson had written and produced in Los Angeles, several years ago, a scenario that was well received by the public.
The other Californian of distinction was Leviticus Lyons, who sang several well-rendered selections on the occasion that Mrs. Thompson's play was produced in New York City. The reader will recall that he is a native son, and while acquiring an education earned his living as an elevator boy in the custom house in San Francisco. He studied vocal culture from the best teachers around the bay cities. The Knights of Columbus and the Native Sons discovered his talent, and each sponsored a concert in which he displayed his talent. The proceeds of these concerts enabled him to go to New York, where he has been studying between hours when he is not earning his livelihood. He was the first colored person asked to broadcast from & radio in New York City. He has been asked to go abroad and make his debut as a singer. But he is very proud of his home state, and will in the near future come to Oakland to make his public bow for recognition. He will sing in several languages.
The local branch of the N. A. A. C. P. is looking forward to a large crowd to greet Congressman L. C. Dyer next Wednesday evening in the theater of the Municipal auditorium in Oakland. He is the framer of the Dyer anti-lynching bill that is scheduled to come before. congress at the next session.
The Girls' Reserve of the Linden street branch. Y. W. C. A. will hold their annual "Mother and Daughter" banquet at the "Y" on the evening of November 20. The Fanny Wall Children's Home and Day Nursery will hold its annual dinner on November 21 at the home on Peralta street, West Oakland.
The Alameda County League of Colored Women Voters held their regular monthly meeting Wednesday, afternoon at the Linden street Y. W. C. A.
