Subscriptions $913.96 Printing and Stationery $5,731.53
Memberships 126.00 Petty Cash 709.90
Contributions 8,239.50 Stenographic Service 1,134.60
Advertisements 255.15 Rent and Light 438.61
Rent and Light 198.61 Miscellaneous 86.10
Books 75.40 Salaries 1,225.00
Traveling Expenses 77.21
-------- --------
Total $9,808.62 Total $9402.95
Balance on hand Balance on hand November
Sept. 30, 1920. 48.86 12, 1921 454.53
--------- -------
$9,857.48 $9,857.48
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary-Treasurer.
Upon the recommendation of the committee on nominations the officers
of the Association were, in keeping with the custom of this body,
elected by a motion to the effect that the Acting Secretary be
instructed to cast the unanimous ballot of the Association, for those
recommended by the committee on nominations, that is, for John R.
Hawkins as President, for S. W. Rutherford as Secretary-Treasurer, for
C. G. Woodson as Director and Editor, and as members of the Executive
Council the three foregoing officers together with Julius Rosenwald,
George Foster Peabody, James H. Dillard, Bishop R. A. Carter, R. R.
Church, Albert Bushnell Hart, John W. Davis, Bishop John R. Hurst, A.
L. Jackson, Moorfield Storey, Bishop R. E. Jones, Channing H. Tobias,
Clement Richardson, and R. C. Woods.
The evening session of the 14th was held at the Eighth Street Baptist
Church where were assembled a considerable representation of the
members of the Association and a large number of persons seeking to
learn of the work and to profit by the discussion of the Association.
Dr. R. C. Woods, President of the Virginia Theological Seminary and
College, presided. The first speaker of the evening, Dr. W. H. Stokes
of Richmond, Virginia, delivered a well-prepared and instructive
address on the value of tradition. His aim was to encourage the Negro
race and other persons interested in its uplift to do more for the
preservation and study of its records. The next speaker of the evening
was Professor J. R. Hawkins, Financial Secretary of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church. He delivered a very forceful and informing
discourse on the history of the Negro Church. How the church has
figured in the life of the Negro; how it has been effective in
promoting the progress of the race; and what it is doing to-day to
present the case of the Negro to the world and offer him opportunities
in other fields were all emphasized throughout this address. Dr. R. T.
Kerlin, former Professor at the Virginia Military Institute, was then
introduced. He briefly spoke about the importance of acquainting the
white race with the achievements of the Negro, and showed that his
task was not, therefore, to appeal to the Negroes, themselves, but to
the white people, who too often misunderstand them.
The morning session of the 15th at the Virginia Theological Seminary
and College was called to order by the newly elected President, Prof.
John R. Hawkins. The Director, Dr. C. G. Woodson, was then introduced.
He showed how the Negro is a menace to the position of the white man
in trying to maintain racial superiority. The significant achievements
of the Negro in Africa and this country were passed in rapid review to
show how untenable this position of the white man is and how unlikely
it can continue in view of the fact that the Negro is accomplishing
more now than ever before in the history of the race. Professor John
R. Hawkins then delivered a brief address showing how the development
of the schools and the maintenance of the proper school spirit through
teachers and students can be made effective in the social uplift of
the race. President Trigg of Bennet College then followed with
impressive remarks expressing his interest in the cause and his
confidence in those who are now doing so much to preserve the records
of the Negro and to popularize the study of them throughout this
country and abroad.
There was no afternoon session of the Association except a brief
meeting of the Executive Council, to which the public was not invited.
The conference closed with the evening session at the Eighth Street
Baptist Church, where a large audience was addressed by Dr. I. E.
McDougle, of Sweet Briar College, Dr. E. Crooks, of Randolph-Macon
College, and Professor Bernard Tyrrell of the Virginia Theological
Seminary and College. Dr. McDougle briefly discussed Negro history as
a neglected field, showing that it is generally unexplored, and
introducing an abundance of material which may be discovered with
little effort. He spoke, moreover, of Negro History as a neglected
subject, giving statistical information as to the places where the
subject is now being taught and the manner in which such instruction
is offered. Dr. Crooks spoke for a few minutes on self-respect as a
means by which the race may develop power. He unfortunately, however,
drifted into a discussion of certain phases of the race problem and
disgusted his audience by advancing ideas with which, as he was
informed, Negroes cannot agree. Professor Tyrrell then delivered a
scholarly address on Negro ancestry and brought forward from his study
of ancient history and especially that of Africa, facts showing that
the Negro race has made a record of which it may well feel proud. He
explained, moreover, how historians since the early days have become
prejudiced against the proper treatment of the achievements of
Africans and have endeavored to convince the world that the record of
the race is not significant.
This meeting on the whole was a success, above and beyond that of any
other hitherto held. The attendance was large, the enthusiasm ran
higher, and the financial support secured far exceeded that of other
meetings. There was expressed a general interest in the plans for the
future prosecution of the work and the intention to give it more
support that it may be extended in all of its ramifications throughout
this country and even abroad.