Mr. Booker T. Washington advocates the cause of the race from an industrial point of view. His idea is valuable, and a condition to which many must concede, if high attainments in laborious circles are sought for. While Mr. Washington opens this channel, his labors must be preceded by a successful surveyor, so that the grounded implements may be put in action. “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” will not then be asked. Give positions suitable to the accomplishment of the colored men and women, boys and girls, and do away with Discrimination and Imposition of Injustice upon them. And then “let them alone.”
Bishop Benjamin F. Lee stands foremost in the educational career, but always connects “work” with his platform. He is not satisfied with having filled the souls of men with the glorious tidings of the truth, but may very appropriately be called the “surveyor” for the physical wants of the people.
As to colored school teachers, etc., wages have been arranged to a low price. Some second grade teachers receiving from 25 dollars to 30 dollars per month; while some 3rd grade teachers receive a stipulated salary of from 10 to 15 dollars per month. Such a reduction in these cases can only be attributed to the unfair basis upon which the Boards of Education conduct the matters to favor their people and impede the progress of the colored race.
CHAPTER V.
“THE JIM CROW CAR.”
The titles—Porters—Baggage-men—Coleman on the “G. P.” 1892—Mississippi Delta.
Thus far we have seen that mal-treatment, deception in court, murdering, etc., are associated with the “Jim Crow Car,” for the title itself means fraud—and all debauchery and injustice meted out to the colored race are material in the “Jim Crow Car.” If we are to see the state of things as they are in various parts of the world, we are generally conveyed by “the train,” as a preference when it is serviceable. In countries where there is no R. R. locomotives, the stages of higher civilization have not yet been reached. The first thing therefore, right or wrong, coming under our notice by the way, is on the “front.”
The car in which the colored people are forced to ride is not marked “Jim Crow Car.” Most every R. R. line has a different mark. As a rule “Colored” just over the entrance is marked on the cars designed for the colored people on the majority of roads. Other marks are: “For Colored People,” “For Africans,” (L. R. & M. R. R.) “Negroes,” etc. Regular colored passengers are so well acquainted with the style and inferiority of their car, it is hardly necessary to read the sign. Carthage, Miss., is the county seat of Leake County, and 31 miles from the railroad lines. Many of its inhabitants have never seen a train. Nevertheless, most of the colored citizens have heard that the train is a pretty thing, but the colored folks must pay as much to ride as white passengers, and yet occupy an awful “Jim Crow Car.”
Two colored men having decided to go off, came to Goodman to “take” the train. When the train arrived that they desired, the smoke prevented them from seeing the “colored” car near the engine. The colored passengers stood quite a distance from the site, refusing to board it, from the very reason that they feared the smoke. They admired the cars for white passengers. Although they had purchased their tickets, they decided to wait for the colored car to come along. After the train made its departure from the station, the two passengers went in hiding, being afraid that they would be arrested for not going up to the engine to get the car. Shortly a freight run in, and the two passengers fully concluded “that must be that ‘Jim Crow Car’ for the colored folks that we have heard so much talk about.” With this idea they aimed to board it, when they were considered intruders, and were driven back to their homes.