The broad ax. [volume], February 08, 1908, Image 1

About The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??

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Vol. XIII
THE COLOR
IN
BY RAY STANNARD BAKER, IN THE FEBRUARY NUM
BER OF THE AMERICAN MAGAZINE.
THAT NOTED WRITER LOOKS AT THE NEGRO
THROUGH SMOKED GLASSES WHILE WRITING IN
RELATION TO HIS STATUS IN THE CIVIC AND IN
DUSTRIAL WORLD, AT SO MUCH PER LINK
The February number of The
American Magazine, contains the first
installment of a series of articles,
which "will appear in it each month
for some time in the future, by Ray
Stannard Baker on "The Color line
in the North."
It is almost needless to say, that
we are greatly disappointed in this
much heralded article on the import
ant subject in question. In his for
mer articles on "Following the Color
Line in the South," Mr. Baker seemed
disposed to treat the subject in a
broader and deeper vein than he has
In his latest contribution.
After reading his article. It clearly
indicates to one who is capable of
sizing it up from all sides, that he is
bending his energies to create race
prejudice and strife between the
races in the North, instead of con-
tending for harmony, and the disap-
pearance of the color line in the civic
and industrial avenues.
Mr. Baker states In his article, that
during the past summer, he has vis
ited Chicago, Indianapolis, Philadel
,'t'a. New York, Boston and other
s and towns in the North, in
nr'-" to study the true condition of
t Negro. .
If e bas visited Chicago, as he
states, none of its better or progres
sive class of Colored people came in
contact with him or even heard that
he was in lowu. This being true, it
is the height of presumption on his
part, to attempt to write an intelli
gent account of the condition, the
progress, the substantiability or the
unsubstantiabllity of the Afro-Americans
in Chicago.
It is self-evident that he visited In
dianapols, Ind for he interestingly
refers to Bucktown, in that city,
which is principally Inhabited by thel
worst element of the race, and it was
there that Mr. Baker seemed to be
at home with his own. He failed to
mention the fact, that there are hun
dreds of Colored men who live in fine
homes of their own in Indianapolis
and are successfully established in
various lines of business.
He has illustrated his article on
a typical Negro alley In Philadelphia,
and he holds up that illustration to
prove that Colored people in that city
reside in alleys, at least the majority
of them.
Notwithstanding the fact that hun
dreds of Colored people in that city
reside in their own fine homes which
are located on some of Its best and
finest streets, and that these same
Colored people pay taxes on several
million dollars worth of property.
These facts are carefully Ignored
by Mr. Baker.
This holds true In reference to what
he has to say In relation to the Col
oired people of New York City. The
magazine In Question contains on Il
lustration of a narrow street In New
York City In -which thousands of Col
ored people of the poorest and, lowest
class are supposed to reside.
Not the slightest reference is made
by Mr. Baker to the Metropolitan
Mercantile and Realty Company,
which is composed of Colored men,
who are successfully conducting a
krge department store, corner of
LINE
THE NOR
Eighth avenue and Forty-sixth street
employing more than two hundred
Colored men and women, and who are
rated by both Dun and Bradstreet,
between $350,000 and $400,000. Aside
from the Metropolitan Mercantile and
Realty Company, there are many oth
er successful business men in New
York City, and real estate owners.
who pay taxes on property which run
far beyorfd the million mark. All of
these facts are silently passed over
by Mr. Baker, and in reading his ar
ticle, one is led to believe that all
the Colored people in New York City
reside on a narrow-street. knownas
"San Juan Hill."
In following his "Color Line in the
North," Mr. Baker reminds us of a
good story told on a Southern senator
some years ago. This Southern Sen
ator, who always boasted that he
Iknew all about the Negro, was posl-
tive that Colored men and women
were incapable of deporting them
selves like real ladies and gentlemen,
so a Colored man who knew him
quite well, made arrangements to es
cort him to a swell function which
was given by the leaders of Colored
society of "Washington, and on being
ushered into the finely furnished
drawing-room, this Southern Senator
was introduced to the hostess, who
in turn presented him to her guests,
and after listening to several classical
selections on the piano, and staring
with open-eyed wonderment at the
entire surroundings, the Southern
Senator turned to his Colored friend
and exclaimed, "John, let's be going,
for this is no place for me, for I
never met so many 'Nigger' doctors,
lawyers, business men and richly
dressed, and high-stepping Colored
women in all mv life, and I did not
know that so many of this class of
Niggers' was in the world."
So John assisted the Southern Sen
ator out of the house, and then they
walked four or five blocks, and enter
ed a low dive or gin mill, which was
filled full of the lowest type of Negro
with a sprinkling of white men who
were on the same leyel or plane, and
they were all shooting craps, drink
ing cheap fighting whisky, talking
loud, and cussing to beat the band,
and on enterine this low dive, the
Southerin Senator exclaimed, "These
are the kind Of 'Niggers' I like!" and
he immediately ordered drinks for
everybody In the house.
So it appears to us. that Ray Stan
nard Baker prefers to write about
this class of Negroes at so much per
line, In "Following His Color line in
the North!"
Alderman John J. Bradley, who has
served three successful terms in the
city council, frqm the 30th ward, has
finally decided to retire from that
body, much to the regret of his many
friends, and former Alderman Charles
J. Boyd, no doubt will be the next al
derman to represent the people re
siding In the SOth ward In the new
counciL
Mr. J. E. Allen, the popular shoe
maker, 3029 Armour are has been
confined to the house the last week
with the la grippe.
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The reigning queen of the "smart
Afro-Americans In Chlcano, who will
most expensive new costumes wnen 8 net. icaas tne nrana marcn at tne Fel
lowship Club ball, which will be given at Oakland Hall Thursday evening,
Feb. 20.
HOW TO KEEP WELL.
Some Helpful Hints From the Health
Department
The Neoro and Consumption.
During the past four years the death
rate from consumption among the Ne
groes In Chicago was 235.7 per cent
higher than the rate among the white
population. For the same period the
pneumonia death rate among the Ne
groes of the city exceeded the white
death rate from the same disease by
97 per cent and in bronchitis the Col
ored death rate was 15 per cent high
er.
Putting it in another way, it would
read like this: Of the 3,701 Negro
deaths for the past four years -3.5
per cent were caused by the chief
impure air diseases: tuberculosis.
24.8; pneumonia, 16.8 per cent, and
bronchitis, 1.9 per cent
Just at this time attention has been
called to the consumption death rate
among the Negroes of the country
by an article in one of the leading
magazines in which this subject is
discussed. For example, the article
quotes Dr. Furniss, a prominent and
able Negro physician of Indianapolis,
as saying that in that city the deaths
of Negroes from tuberculosis consti
tute over half of the total deaths from
this disease, whereas In proportion
to Negro population they should con
stitute only one-eighth.
Now, why this frightful death rale
from consumption among the Negroes
in all the large centers of population
throughout the country?
There are some who attempt to an
swer this question by asserting that
the Negro is predisposed to pulmon
ary troubles.
This Is not, however, the correct
answer. The so-called predisposition
of the Negroes of the cities to con
sumption Is due to their habits and
manner of living. Bad air, due to
crowded and illventilated homes, poor
food and intemperate habits are the
causes. "White men living under the
same conditions would soon develop
a high death rate from consumption.
Negroes are sociable people. They
love to gather In numbers and in
rooms where their Is little or no ven
tilation. They love warmth and com
fort, and are not alive to the danger!
of bad air. Like some of their wane
brethren, they would not drink dirty,
Khy water, but they axe, seemingly,
set averse to breathing dirty air.
Ad -dirty air is death.
We ave already stated In these
health talks that the diseases due
c- hall.
eft," or the fouc hundred, among the
befattlred in one of the finest and
I
-JSfc.
to bad air are preventable diseases.
If this be true then the high death
rate in Chicago and other cities from
these diseases is an unnecessary and
avoidable death rate. It means that
thousands of people die each year
who might have lived had they only
followed the simplest rules of health
and hygiene.
But, getting back for a final word
as to consumption among the Ne
groes, the lack of proper medical ad
vice and attention is a big factor. Too
many of them have little use for the
skilled and trained physician so long
as they can get some old "Mammy
to doctor them. Then, too, too many
of them pin their faith to advertised
nostrums and do their own doctoring.
All this is unwise. Chicago today has
Negro physicians who are able and
skilful men, and who are deeply in
terested in helping their own people
to a better knowledge of health and
sanitation. The editors of Negro
newspapers are also aroused and alert
and doing splendid work in helping
to educate their readers in the knowl
edge of "how to keep well." And It
is along these lines and for the same
purpose that in this week's talk we
have used for our text the figures
showing the Negro's contribution to
the consumption death rate of Chi
cago. "P."
RESPECT FOR NEGRO WOMEN
How can we expect members of
the opposite race to give our women
the reppect that Is rightfully theirs
when so many men of our race fail
in that particular? "When editors
of our different papers persist in re
ferring to our women as a "Negress,"
what more can we expect of white
people and their publications? An
editor of Indianapolis gives a front
page article concerning a Colored
woman whom he calls a "Negress."
This man has a wife and children
and is considered one who is inter
ested In the uplifting of his race, yet
he stoops to use this degrading term.
If a woman is so low as to deserve
such, then she Is too low to be taken
into account
There Is no cause for our papers
to name the ' nationality of those
whose names appear In their columns
unless they are white, tor it Is rea
sonable that papers Issued In the be
half of the Negro race will always
refer to their own.
If the woman weald referto them
as a "bnrley Negro," , they would be
highly Incessed over the Baatter, but
Ktin fhev are so careless ,. ot ueir
women.
DOUBLE
DEALING
REV. E. J. FISHER, PASTOR OF THE OLIVET BAPTIST
CHURCH, PREVENTED FROM SKINNING ONE OF
HIS LAMBS BY ATTORNEY WALTER M. FARMER,
WHO HAS PROVEN IN OPEN COURT THAT THIS DI
VINE IS UNWORTHY OF HIS HIGH CALLING.
"We the Jury In the above en
tiled caused find the issues for the
plaintiff and assess his damages at
three hundred dollars." Such was tho
recent verdict In the case of William
Bruner against Rev. Elijah J. Fishe.
Sr. Behind this simple finding of
twelve "good and true men" is an
Interesting story of the dealings of a
leading Divine with one of the lambs
of his flock. The evidence in the
case which was tried before Judge
Eberhardt of the Municiple Court
disclosed the fact that a young man
by the name of William Bruner, being
a frequent visitor at Olivet Baptist
Church where Rev. Elijah J. Fisher,
Sr., dispenses spiritual consolation,
and finds his flock in packs of truth
and honesty, became so impressed
with the reverend gentleman's Integ
rity that he concluded, to seek some
advice from the good man? as to how
to invest a little money he haJ
saved from his earnings. Meeting
the noted preacher one day in April,
1906, he told him he had saved up
about one thousand dollars and would
like to invest it in real estate; that
he did not know enough about tne
business to attempt it alone, and
that he did not know any one whom
he would trust more implicitly tnan
him (Rev. Fisher). The pious leader
assured the young man that his con
fidence was well placed and showed
Bruner two cottages on Vernon Ave.,
2821 and 2823. Bruner paid his di
vine agent $1,000 to pay on the place
and $75 which the good doctor said
attorney Walter M. Farmer would
charge for looking after the abstract
and deed. By some peculiar
mental freak this doctor of div
inity forgot he was buying the prop
erty for Bruner with Bruner's money
and had the deed made to Elijah
J. Fisher instead of to Bruner.
It must be admitted that this
practice is not so very unusual
with some people. We hear dally
of men who demonstrate their
inability to recall that they do
not own the other man's property.
Bruner however thought it strango
that a leader of the followers of the
meek and lowly one should be so
careless in handling of other people's
money. He became dissatisfied and
Mauy of them (who are supposed
to be of the best) will Join white
men In slighting remarks about their
own women, while nearly any com
mon white man will resent any re
mark made about a white woman in
their hearing.
Boys must be taught from baby
hood to respect their mothers and
their sisters and there will be no
complaint when they grow to be men.
To whom shall we appeal vfor pro
tection from some Negro publlca-
tions? What man will come to our
rescue? From the Woman's Column,
in The Freeman, Indianapolis, Ind.
This is the gospel truth far too
many would-be editors or newspapers
who seemingly delight to refer to Col
ored women as "Negresses," out of
the highest respect for our wife, dear
old mother, sisters, and for all decent
womenkind this slurring term Is
never used In these columns and any
man, especially any Colored man,
who claims to stand for the "uplift
Ing" of the race, who uses the term
In the public press, should be looked
upon with the greatest scorn and con
temptEditor.
IVo. 1
told his saintly agent that he wanted
to sell the property. He was tola
that such was the proper thing for
him to do. Rev. Fisher then gave
Bruner $477 In notes for his Interest
In one place without telling Bruner
his indeed was really worth $575,
thus clearing up at his principal's ex
pense $98. He then sold the other
house for Bruner receiving $650 for
Bruner's interest and paid his princi
pal $585. Thus taking down $65 for
himself. Now the strange thing
about it all is that Attorney Farmer
supposed he was working for the
learned doctor of laws and did not
charge anything and would not have
known anything about the fee of $75
had not the distinguished divine
given Bruner a check for $250 that
was refused payment because there
were no funds In the bank to ,Rev.
Fisher's credit with which to pay the
check. Bruner came to Mr. Farmer to
see about the money knowing that he
had given Rev. Fisher $75 to retain
the attorney for him. It was then April
21, 1907, for the first time that Mr.
Farmer .learned the trick of the
whole matter. Bruner and his at
torney called on the Rev. Fisher and
asked an explanation. The explanation
did not satisfy. To make a short story
or the matter Rev. Fisher was made
to pay the $75. Then it was founo
that in addition to the $163 he had
withheld in buying and selling Brun
er's property, he got $150 from him.
after the deal was closed and deed
delivered for this amount he gave.
Bruner a note dated July 16 drawn
In favor or William Hawley for $150
and made payable one day after date,,
as balance of purchase price of the
property and signed ny Elijah J
Fisher, Sr. After months of confer
ence, suit was brought to recover
these amounts including rents col
lected by Rev. Fisher and not acconnt
ed. The result is stated in the verdict
quoted above. This whole transac
tion is shocking In the display or a
tot I lack or sense or moral duty, of
christian uprightness and manly in
tegrity, on the part of one who
claims to be called of God to lead
his people, that we are forced to ask
"what shall we do to be saved"
from such leaders? "T. M. W."
CHICKEN THIEF SHOT TO DEATH.
Falls Exhausted In a Snow Bank
After Being Given Long Chase.
Potlsvllle. Pa., Fru. 6. Exhausted
after a long chase, Isaac Bevan, of
Shenandoah. Fa was riddled with
bullets from two revolvers which his
pursier, Anthony Slnklewics, emptied
Into his body as he lay helpless Jn a
snow drift Twelve Bhots took effect,
one passing through the heart, caus
ing Instant death.
Sinkiewlcx had been annoyed by
chicken thieves and fixed up a burg
lar alarm. He was awakened by this
alarm, and he and a boarder gate
chase to the Intruder by means of
tracks In the newly fallen snow.
The chase continued for more than
a mile when Bevan dropped from ex
haustion and was shot to death. Seven
chickens were found In a ba$ he car
ried. He was unarmed.
Sinkicwicz gave himself up and has
been charged with murder.
This chicken theif was a white gen
tleman and not a Colored man. Editor.
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