Hide Article Text (OCR)
NOT LIKE JOB•i- iSomebody said to the writer 'Thursday night, “Well, we got iti Like Job we waited utitil our chage £me, and the farty, like the Master, didn’t fail us.” We ’told the gentleman that Job differed from us in at least'two instances: He had plenty before he was ^tricken-parks, thousands of acres to play on; after he had stood the test he received more than he had at the beginning^ and we did not see in any records Where he was sore all over for “10 years. Well, we attended the commissioners' meeting, last Thursday morning. We had reason to believe that the playground -matter was going to be on deck or at bat; we also knew of the condemnation proceedings, but we didn’t know who would make the motion and whp would second said motion. Well, it did come up, we heard what was said and departed to interview the own^ er of the condemned-property. , .... ' - ' ...DR. STANTON'S STORY1 ' * *-»*/After calling in his brothers, Dr. Rufus and Elbert, the interview began: “A few day ago* Dr. Bob, you told me your block was worth $21,000 to you; you said you had in mind an exclusive Negro residential section or addition. I am not posing as a realty authority^ but if your land is worth that sum to you, unless, a miracle happens you are going to donate $5,000 .towards a playground for^the children of your race, because a few minutes ago the board of commissioners selected your property and the price to be given you is $16,0Q(v , Ar,e you going to fight the proceedings or accept the offer of the board?” 'I“I (Stanton) 'realize I haven’t a Chinaman’s chance to win. There is or0y one phase of the affair I regret; the proceedings of condemnation were Ordered instituted without the board making me any sort of offer for my property. I.had an5 agent from May 23 until midnight June 7, who was authorized! to act for.me £ndlt; to seli or offer to sell for $21,000. At the expiration of our. f 5-day agreement, I was automatically without an agent, and it seems right and fair that if the board wanted my property, they should have communicatedup v Cl wvwi uucicu lt;*liy tiling uy LI1C CILy UI 1 la ttgtSllLH.If their action was a challenge, I refuse to accept it. I_want to see the Negro children get what they should HaVk had long ago, a decent playground! t“You are at liberty to quote me as saying I know I am taking a ‘rap,’ but a man is foolish to fight when he knows within himself that he Is bound to lose. Regardless of the difference in the amount I wanted and the amount I get, I will always believe that I ought to have been made an offer prior £o any court procedure. I never accepted or refused any offer from the board, because they never, made me one.“I have owned some of that,property nearly 10 years; I purchased it with the intention of developing it, not to speculate on anj^playgrourid site of any kind for any particular group, but under no conditions will I try. to hold up the colored park; I would not want it said that I caused any delay. The City party delayed “10 years”; that was bad enough or too bad for all concerned. I am content to let all the tardiness blame remain where it has been for TO years.” Galveston is my home; whatever little Success I enjoy I owe to Galvestonians, among whom I hope to live harmoniously and die peacefully. I am as anxious to see the park a reality 4s the children^ are to play on its improved grounds. I am proud, not boastful; of the pleasing privilege and signal racial, honor which is mine in selling a portion of the site^ for the Negro playground to the city of Galveston.”BETTER Llt;ATE THAN NEVERSoon we will have our park. hope that as sotmjis the work is under way, they will put some benches on the grounds so we can sit down‘without fear of being arrested, jailed or fined* A friend rang me and asked if it would be appropriate to write something praising the acquisition of the , playground. These words were our answer: “If your \yife is se(v-eral-hours late with your supper after you have done what you promised her you would do, and the wood gives out and she can’t warm the food over, would you pfaise her for a supper both LATE and COLD ? If you would, ’write your swan songlt; of praise!” Let us pray! - / « : - ’' ............
Newspaper Details
Galveston Voice
Galveston, Texas, US
Sat, Oct 17, 1931
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 22 Jan 2024
Other Publications Near Galveston, Texas
News Tribune
Mainland Extra
Galveston Daily News
TheDailyNews
Galveston Tribune
