Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

-LIGHTHOUSE and INFORMER. COLUMBIA, S. C. Saturday, May 3, 1952 ‘The Strongest Link Is Civil Rights.” INFORMED me Published weekly by The Lighthouse Pub felling Company, Incorporated, at 1507 Har den Street, Columbia 4, South Carolina. TELEPHONE 2-7079 SUBSCRIPTIONS—Payable in advance—: 1 year, §375; 6 mos., $2.50; 3 mos.. $1.50; per copy, 10 cents Entered as Second Class matter in the Post Office at Columbia, South Carolina, undei the Act of xMarch 3, 1879. John H. McCray _ Robert E. Howard Thomasma Scott Julia G. Simkins President-Editor Sports Editor Society Editor Sec’y-Bookkeeper Make checks or orders payable to The Light house Publishing Company, Inc., and not to persons representing it. AI)\ ERT1SING RATES furnished on appli cation. National Advertising Representative: Inter state United Newspapers, Inc., 545 Fifth Avenue, New York 17, New York. CLOSING SCHEDULES: News, 12 noon Tuesday; Advertising, 3 P. M., Tuesday; Photographs, 10 A. M. Monday. What Does The Negro Want? Last week end the City ot Columbia ad vertised in daily newspapers for appli cants who might past the civil service ex aminations and be employed as police of ficers and firemen. v Ve understand that for some time the city has been waiting for five or six other colored officers to serve along with the three now on the force, and also plans to employ colored firemen before long. The fact that the city has now to beg for colored applicants who might be put on the police force is, to our way of think ing, “a scandal to the jaybirds.” Were call call that as far back as ten years ago there was considerable activity among Negroes for employment of colored police officers, fheir reasoning was of course sound as proved by the excellent service the city has received since several were hired. But what puzzles is that these same people who were so loud for colored policemen are now T so quiet when it comes to getting the eli gible men to apply and get the jobs, or of having also proof that their people really wanted th e chance to be on the enfo. ment end of law enforcement. Were this the only instance, and the on ly place where it is necessary to go around and plead with Negroes to make use of opportunities they said they wanted, and finally received, it would not be worth dis cussing. But the use of the municipal swimming pool in Seegar’s Park here over its two year period has been far less than was expected ,or has It? And there are be fore us reports from other communities Loss Of A Priceless Citizen Last Sunday afternoon they lowered the remains of a priceless citizen to their fin al resting place in Columbia. We refer to our late and good friend, James Arthur Roache, who for a number of years operat ed a printing plant at Benedict College, At one time he also published a newspaper, trained a number of young men and wo men in the trade of printing and lent as sistance to every deserving cause in his community. Mr. Roache had come to Columbia as a young man and had with diligence and pa- The Pawns And Puppets What may be a healthy sign is that more and more lay citizens are learning first hand that South Carolina’s political lead ers are the most ruthless rulers one can imagine. For example, most people are learning that the meeting of local Democratic pre cincts for the biennial reorganization is but a farce. Most of these are “cut and dried” process, which meet and do their business in a matter of a minute or two, and before the average voter has time to sit in his seat. And the process becomes more ruthless progressively. It is a little more rambunc- tuos in the county meeting and reaches its peak in the state convention where, for ex ample* delegates to th e national conven tion are all nominated by one man—one in the center of the machine, and done in such a manner as be informative, rather than a recommendation.. The Critical Steel Strike A federal judge ruled that the Presi dent of the United States has not authori ty to seize operation of a vitally important industry, as when President Truman took over the steel industry, assuming that the demands upon his country’s output during a state of emergency made th<r continu ous operation of the steel industry a ne cessity. The merit or demerits of the legal and which are an,, i.ave huu nixiicuxc times trying to find Negroes for jobs they said Negroes wanted and sohuld have. Then, take the matter of voting. Here is an area which was a sore spot ten years ago. Everybody was lamenting the fact that state laws did not allow Negroes the chance to hold an important vote — that is, everybody Negro. Now that it is easy to register, we have most of the eligible Negroes still unable to vote, only this time because of themselves. * Not only is the majority making liars out of their leaders by failing to make good use of these privileges before them, but they are also making clear to their traditional enemies favoring limitations and Negro exclusion, that their way of living in and operating the community may be the correct way after all. Nobody has patience and time for him who shirks his opportunities. And what is worse, the leaders who once stuck their necks out and endured all manners of abuse and suffer ings, are apt to get a stomach ful lof it tohn H. McCray It’s Interesting Moving About To anybody interested in gettin< r the more accurate view of what has happened and is haopening about tl em, I suggest: “Get out. Move about and talk with people.” You’ll learn much more this wav in one day than you can get from years of digging in books on the subject, or from the iips of your leaders, most of whom take facts and figures lightly, or dis- trott them. Two week sago, up in EdgefieU co”’^ long since regarded as one of the tou^hes^ for minority groups in this state. I listen- and elect to do what has been done in be- ed spellbound as one elderly citizen related what he knew actually took place during half of the race for too long—that is, noth ing. One wonders what the Negro really want? Does he want to be like the rest of the community, or does he want to be a second class, inferior citizen, a sort of civic scavenger who feeds upon the scraps and wastes set aside for this lower type of citizen? The only answer certain right now is that h e isn’t particular about be ing anybody important. the “Phoenix rioting’’ back in 189^ vvhen enforcement of the “white-only” state con stitution w r as begun. I was particularly im pressed when he began the subject a sa casual experience, being the first person had ever heard discuss this clash which was long before my time. He rambled through this experience be fore his attentive audience and then relat ed other experiences as a boy on his fath er’s farm, which left the impression that. willing, though he lives in a hellish and tick lish spot, the Negro can command respect and match wit for wit with anybody else. I got the impression I had gotten on mam T tience worke dhimself u pto good standing occas j ons before in convertation with the in the community. He was the faith- olde timers that nobody trampl ec J the rights ful sort of reliable plugger the world of a Negro in Edgefield county * n the good knows too little or in our present day old days, nor were the whit e people as crop. He held a high position in his church mean and tough as they are said to have since the days of his youth, and could be been. vilte Negroes. His church had to have $2,000 immedi- atelv. He tossed and prayed at night for some solution, then one morning while ty>o main street, the thought hit him that this white man who was said to be the biggest “Negro-hater” might be just the man. So he went in to see him and walked out with a check for the $2,000 and i what is more, the man wouldn’t take one tt'bvr as security. “Reverend, your word is enough security for me. T know you folk aren’t c-oing to mistreat me,’ ’he is quoted as saying to the minister. The church membership was startled. Thev iust couldn’t believe this had happen-j c ’ i" th Q ir interest from this man of all t neoole. But it had, and that was the begin-; ning of a happier community and better un-i _ _ derstanding between both races. Of course howeT'candHate 7o7 the Repub- the money was repaid and much quicker nomination for President, than had it been loaned under normal con- ^ up and explain his views ditions. a variety of topics. One of Calvin’s Digest by L. BAYNARD WHITNEY (For Galvin News Service) REBELS vs. YANKEES . Sometimes a little horseplay develops into a tragedy. I have in mind the manufacture, display and wearing of Confederate and Union caps, flags and uniforms. Although many of our best editors look innocently upon the practice as something for children to toy with, adults are taking it up, too. From here, it looks like a very potent form of psy- i chological warfare. Elements that seek to divide the Na- ! tion are making increasing use of it to remind us of hatreds | that should have been Gone With The Wind. Comes now Chicago’s Edgar G. Brown, a Republican, who says he will sport a “Union soldier” hat during his campaign, in the First District, to unseat Congressman William L. Dawson, a powerhouse Democrat. Of course no one can imagine Dawson putting on a “confederate to gain publicity is decidedly silly and undignified, soldier” hat just because he is a Democrat. Such folderal jv Brown’s clowning ought to go far toward pushing votes for Dawson. But, juvenile as the practice may be, it is reported that Army brass has “okayed a request that the bandsmen” of the lily-white 31st Infantry Division of Alabama and Miss issippi National Guardsmen . . . “be permitted to wear Con federate uniforms at a time when Navy has ordered De stroyer Division 122 to haul down its Confederate flag.” Perhaps one reason for (he request being granted Is that most of the high-brass seat warmers in the Penta- I gon are Southerners, and other white supremacists. Is it any wonder that natioas abroad that look to America for leadership, see us a divided country unworthy of their confidence? Do* the Negro’s enemies throughout the Nation plan to fight it out again rather than grant him the sam e Freedom enjoyed by white Americans? WHAT IS A BRAT? The Thorndike-Baronhart Dictionary says a brat is a con- I temptuous name for a child. By which we easily infer that - when the conduct of any child is such as to cause us to re gard it with contempt, disgust and righteous irritation, it is a BRAT—even though said child “unbrats” by subse- | quent good behavior, and i sno longer a brat. This is about I movie brats. Last week a group of white mothers in San Francisco, calling themselves the Lafayette Mothers Committee on Mass Communications went on record against “rodyism, roughhousing and horseplay” at Saturday movie matinees. They sent out a questionaire to theatre managers. In the preface the mqthers charged that “children cannot hear the dialogue” because “missiles are thrown, hair is pulled, fists fly, children are tripped, there is running up and down the aisles and unrestrained traffic to and from the candy coun ter during the performance.” The kids also slash the seats with knives and break things. Wpll the managers couldn’t deny it and were there fore all the more angry at the mothers blaming it all on lack of proper home training. (The women had vari ous retorts for that one . . .) The theatre men’s chief reply was that kids are like that. Which is the poorest of all excuses for not maintaining discipline. The excuse also completely ignores the rights of adult patrons, many of them parents who accompany the children, w’ho pay to be entertained instead of suffering agony in a madhouse. STRAIGHT AHEAD BY JULIUS ADAMS NEW YORK (Global) — The, pressure is on General Eisen-i j on The more you move around the more! the issues many folk would like counted on. What support he could, he gave to those agencies and movements about him which purported to bring a happier people and community. In his death, Columbia and South Caro lina have loss an invaluable citizen, whose place will remain unfilled, but whose works will be long remembered. The net result is that, as long as we have been watching it—and that is ten years now-—the position this state has had to hold to in the national picture, is one the rank and file—the lay citizen—has noth ing at all to do with. The people—all of them—are conse quently nothing but pawns and puppets on the politician’s chess board, or at the end of his maneuvering string. And it is only honor and integrity which has kept the people from pushing through a revolu tion which would end this sort of Then, last Sunday, following a visit to Bishopville in Lee county, we got into con versation with an experienced minister who once pastored in the county and commum- ty. Twenty years ago when be preached there, he said, he found it easy to get a- long with the white leaders and on one oc casion, entered into a business deal with one of the town’s biggest men, which some what revolutionized the thinking of Bishon- tn previous efforts of the GOP in Presidential (campaigns. The Party has been kept off balance, has been maneuver ed into positions to make state ments or anstver questions at most unpropitious times and under unfavorable circum stances. There is hardly any ns ed for v~m get to know the people—all of them.; to hear “Mr.” Ik? discuss is that Here and there you sit down and talk with of civil rights. It is only fair "•bite men. While it is yet difficult for most that ‘.he voters should ask a of them to discard the traditional approach candidate for his stand on im- worry over Ike’s failure so far to ♦•dlring about community problems with portant Questions and it is quite to speak out. For one thing > the a Negro, once they get warmed to the sub- likely that the General will give very company he keeps speaks ject, all of them wind up thinking alike, his answers. The big point is the Wl “ 11 for him • Dewey, Duff, And I say to you that not all the white timing—which is important ir Lodge ’ Ive ’ Dnsco11 - Saltonstall. people in South Carolina are bad—like, say politics as it is in mechanics, the Dixiecrats Not one-half, nor a quarter Mosl probab , y the Eisen . of t em is a . hower big brass intends to rnmwmm V » MoK- Bowman J. H. Jackson, Vice-President of the Na tional Baptist Convention of America. Inc . pastor of Mt. 0]iv e Baptist Church. Chica go. Illinois. It is common knowledge that Dr. Jackson is one of the world’s foremost ora- rule and government, the likes of which tors and thousands of preachers will attend we went to war to defeat in Germany and pre-convention session just to hear Dr. Jackson. An interesting program has been planned. Dr. Daniels will be at his best in his annual address. We will hear sermons by Dr. W. H. Neal, B. J. Whipper and oth ers. Other outstanding personalities sched uled to appear on the three-day program are: Dr. G. L. Prince, president of the Na tional Baptist Convention of America. J. M. Hinton , member of the Board of Direc tors of the NAACP, Charles H. Brown. Dean of the School of Theology of Benedict College, Dr. H. E. Hardin, Dean of the School of Theology Morris College, Dr. J. A. Ba- Italy. The operation of the present “Demo cratic” party of South Carolina is but a farce against the intended manner such organizations were intended to be run ir a democratic society. And the background of it is racial at home and for personal gain among its politician-leaders. constitutional issues involved we do not Under The Shadow Of The Cross On May 6th thousands of Baptist preachers from every “nook andi corner” of the State will make their way to Mullins, to attend the State| Baptist Convention being held at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Rev. J. L. j Brooks, Pastor. There will be a special incentive to go on Tuesday this year because the pre-convention speaker will be that nationally known orator Rev. not be given to Benedict College. We have been neglecting the cause of! Mission, if the world is to be saved, it must! be saved by preaching of the gospel in eve- ry land. This cannot be done excent we give more for the cause of Missions. The Fore ign Mission Boards of the National Baptist Conventions need funds now more than ever. have the carniidat* take the field of battle, but they may be wise in not allowing the opposition to choose the bat tleground or the hour the of fensive is to begin. This has been one of the weak spots Ives These are all good men and ‘.rue j —men whose position and stand on civil rights and all otbir Am erican rights are beyond ques tion. It is doubtful if they would be so strong for Eisenhower or if he would Lave his affairs in their hands if they didn’t see pretty nearly eye to eye on the major United States and World issues. • discuss, but if the chief executive has not coats, president of Benedict College, Dr. O. authority to keep such vital industries operating in a time of distress, congress, the courts or somebody ought to have that authority. The war isn’t over yet in Korea, nor is the world and America yet remov ed from the brink of war. The soldier in the foxhole cannot strike or refuse to bar gain fairly with his employee. R. Reuben, president of Morris College and many others. The goal has been set to raise $50,000 for Mission and Education. Morris College, our school, must have a Science Building by September. We must raise $25,000 in the convention session. Benedict College needs funds for its building rehabilitation pro- - r.:. "’here is no reason why $10,000 can- We should give not less than $5,000 to help the emergency needs of the Foreign Mission Boards. Every genuine Baptist preacher in South Carolina should attend the meeting, take part in the discussions, and support the cause. The revised consti tution is up for adoption again this year, we should b e there to see that our ideas j are incopropated in this constitution which ! will guide the Baptists for the next hun-j dred years. Do not forget the office of PuffSc Rela tions which has been working hard to keep the objectives of the convention before the public. See you in Mullins, South Carolina, May 6th. Let us Watch, Fight, and Pray! “Keep your hair neatly groomed, but don’t lose self re spect doing it.”