Activities Among Negroes
Among the many letters of appreciation received from delegates who attended the recent biennial convention of the National Association of Colored Women held in this city, a great many speak of the welcome extended the convention by Mayor John L. Davie of Oakland, characterizing it as most sincere. Others write to urge the colored people to vote solidly in support of Senator Samuel Shortridge in the coming election. The following is an extract of a recent appeal of this kind:
1 "I beg leave through your column to appeal to the colored electorate of the great state of California to return to the U. S. Senate the distinguished statesman. Senator Samuel Shortridge. He is needed here, not only for the colored people at the capital but for all of us in the nation, for all of our discriminations here and our fights against them are national in their character and influence.
2 "As president of the Washington, D. C., branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and as a member of its national directorate, I am forced into continued contacts with the men and women who run this nation. There are so many wrongs for which we get no relief, and so many new hostile measure preposed by those high in authority that this organization must wage relentless conflict, so I have constant opportunity to take the measure of our statesmen. Senator Shortridge is one magnificent figure and has never failed us. And since there are so few here who worry much over the misfortunes of our disadvantaged group, we I can not spare him."
The letter then recounts the many valuable acts rendered by the senator in aiding favorable legislation for the great state of California, and the people of the nation. Continuing, it says:
"But of all of his claim to fame and all men's support will rest upon his brilliant, courageous and alturistic (altruistic) fight for the anti-lynching bill. In this long and bitter struggle he loomed a magnificent solitary gladiator, holding his own against the solid South and a sympathetic or at least an apathetic North. He made the lengthy. learned and human report on the bill which read like the documents of the giants of the great Reconstruction days. He forced it upon the Senate and successfully withstood the combined fire of its host of enemies, both North and South. It was a brilliant fight and a distinguished service for it brought lynching home to the nation.
"I am sure the good patriotic colored people of California realize that our interests are one and inseparable, that the wrongs of one section are the wrongs of all and will use that most powerful social lever, the ballot, with the single thought of keeping men in places of power who work for all people. The present incumbent, Senator Shortridge, is just such a man. Will you go to the polls in large numbers and return him to the Senate. (Signed) "NEVEL H. THOMAS, "President Washington, D. C.. Branch N. A. A. C. P."
Walter A. Butler, a former president of the Oakland Branch, N. A. A. C. P., has just returned from a tour over the northern part of the state and has made the statement that the colored people are lining up solidly in their support of the re-election of Senator Shortridge because he is not only a good friend to the race but a true booster for the best interests of the great state of California."
The colored citizens of the United States have had to their credit only three graduates from West Point Military Academy. The late Colonel Charles Young, who died in Africa last year while on a special mission for this government, was the last colored graduate from this institution,
some thirty years ago. During this time the colored voters have tried in vain for an opportunity to stand the examination to enter this government school of military training. It remained for Robert Abbott to make a very serious appeal for the American colored youth to be given this chance. During the past summer Colonel Theodore t Roosevelt Jr., while in Chicago to address the annual conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored, People, was invited by Robert Abbott to visit the plant of his paper, the Chicago Defender, which is considered the largest weekly paper in the world. It was while inspecting the plant that Abbott asked Colonel Roosevelt if he could explain why colored youths were not admitted to the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, notwithstanding that even his father, who was a great friend to the colored people, never made it possible for colored boys to be admitted. This conference has resulted in President Coolidge doing very recently what no other President has ever done. He used the authority vested in him as commander in chief of the army and navy of the United States and make the first appointment at large of a colored youth to appear for entrance examination to West Point Military Academy.
This candidate is Vance H. Marchbanks Jr., the son of a warrant officer of the Tenth United States Calvary (colored). The regiment is located at Tucson, Arizona. The boy is to notify the adjutant general of his acceptance or rejection of the appointment and be prepared to report at Fort Bliss. Texas, to take the examination next March.
Colonel Taylor, the commander of the 369th New York Guards (colored), has received notice that a perliminary (preliminary) examination for entrance to West Point will be held Nov. 5, open to enlisted men (colored) of the National Guards who may be able to qualify for admission to the National Military Academy. An urgent request is being fostered by the race that all colored men of the National Guards who have the necessary scholastic preparations and who are physically fit take advantage of this opportunity.
The French government has just sent through the United States War Department a diploma to Colonel Charles W. Fillmore of New York City. This was sent as a part of the award of the French Croix de Guerre with the bronze star which was given him for bravery in action Dec. 6. 1918, at the French general headquarters. Colonel Fillmore is an Ohian and saw service with the Ninth Battallion (Battalion) as its commander until the outbreak of the Spanish American War, when he resigned and served in Cuba with the Eighth Ohio Volunteers regiment. After the close of this war he held positions of distinction in the department in Washington, D. C., for many years. Later he resigned and went to New York City to live. He soon became identified with the old Fifteenth Regiment of colored soldiers. During the World War this regiment became the 369th Infantry. Colonel Fillmore received his promotion during this service, and served as one of its commanding officers overseas, winning honor from both his own government and France.
Rev. W. H. Coston, who served as United States Army chaplain with the Eighth Ohio regiment during the Spanish American War in Cuba, has had made for souveniers (souvenirs) of the Sesqui-centennial National Exposition a bronze medal stamped with the likeness of the late Colonel Charles Young. Local society has been enjoying a round of public benefit dinners during the past week. The first one was held Sunday, when the Kappa chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority held their first educational dinner in the Bush-Orvis building. The sorority members
served as waitresses, while Mesdames Lennix, Orvis, Stafford, Newman, Turner, Brock and Crawford, society matrons, acted as hostesses. Mrs. Melba Stafford made the many decorations for the tables. It was a perfect success.
The national organization has pledged to raise for education this year the sum of $2000, each chapter giving their share. Half this money will be used to assist some sorority sister who is deserving and unable to complete her education. The other half will be used to assist some girl whose scholarship warrants assistance.
Sunday afternoon the choir contest took place in North Oakland church. The choir of Fifteenth A. M. E. church won the banner. The senior choir of this church is preparing an organ fun recital benefit for October 28, at which time Professor Keeton will render several pipe organ numbers and Mrs. Sadie Phipps will be special soloist.
The benefit dinner sponsored by the Texas, Louisiana and California societies at the Cooper A. M. E. Zion church. Oakland, Tuesday evening, was a great success. Rev. W. E. Shaw, the pastor, closed his conference year with this dinner which was given to aid in raising the church conference dues. Rev. Shaw is a product of Wilberforce, Ohio, and previous to coming to California had spent four years as a missionary of the Gold Coast Colony in Africa. He has won distinction as a writer, and during the past year served as president of the bay cities Ministerial Alliance. He has made many friends for the race in other groups of peoples. This was demonstrated by the large number of persons of distinction who acted as hosts at this dinner. Among the number was Victor Dunn, with 12 of his personal friends, and Burton Becker, with 22 of his personal friends. There were many others of prominence present. Credit for the success of the dinner is to be shared with Mrs. Lennix and Mrs. Ceola Brown, together with Mrs. Ruffin and C. Spears, who is the official chef for the Oakland council of the Boy Scouts.
The colored Baptist convention for Northern California met at Visalia Oct. 12 to 15. They were the guests of the white Baptist church. This convention was organized seven years ago by Rev. G. C. Coleman with three churches. This year a membership of 16 churches and 100 delegates with church property valued at $6450, reported to small and needy churches in Northern California, $500 was distributed. It was voted to change the name to St. John's Baptist Convention of Northern California. The meeting next year will be held in Oakland.
Mrs. Minnie Bates of Los Angeles, past president of the California States Federation of Colored Women's Clubs and past right noble governor of the District Grand Household of the state of California, stopped in Oakland last week en route home from the National Grand Household convention in Baltimore, Md. She was one of 14 California delegates. Mrs. Clayton and Miss Victoria Shorey of Oakland were delegates.
Mrs. Morris of San Francisco entertained the President's Council with a breakfast Wednesday morning.
Father Wallace reports St. Augustine church active in preparation for the annual bazaar.
Rev. Owen Troy of the Market Street Seventh Day Adventist church will close his seventh and last week of tent meetings Sunday
evening, taking as his subject, "The Bible and the Colored Man.'
