|
By 1884 this program had sufficiently aroused the public to activity. A Bill was introduced in the Legislature to abolish the section in the Constitution which prevented the Negro attorney's admission. A Petition was presented the Legislature asking that something be done, this petition being signed by more than a hundred names.
Incidently the bill was not acted upon finally as it was one of the bills to be "lost."
Foremost among those interested was the Rev. Dr. Harvey Johnson, then pastor of the Union Baptist Church of Baltimore, and regarded as one of the bravest and most courageous leaders of his day. He was prone to organize an effort to take the matter to Court to see just what could be done in correcting this evil. He accordingly assembled at his home a number of his fellow ministers and outlined a plan of procedure. The outgrowth was the formation of The Brotherhood of Liberty.7 The Brotherhood was the forerunner of the NAACP and undertook within Maryland, the mission that is now being assumed by the NAACP nationally.
The following April (1884), the organization consulted Alexander Hobbs, Esq., very capable and popular attorney. Mr. Ashbie Hawkins, able attorney and himself a champion of our rights, has very ably told of that effort and results of the very fine characters who projected this fight. Mr. Hobbs made his plans for the second test for admission of a Negro to the Maryland Bar.
Fortunately, at this particular time there resided in Maryland a school teacher, a Mr. Charles S. Wilson8, who had finished a law course, had at one time been admitted to practice before the Massachusettes Courts, but now had removed to the State and was a teacher within the school system. Mr. Hobbs prevailed upon Mr. Wilson to apply for admission to the Courts.
On Saturday, February 7, 1885, Mr. Wilson did apply to the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City for admission to practice law, and Mr. Hobbs moved his admission. The matter was forthwith tabled until the follow-ing Saturday, at which time the Court indicated it would hear argument. On the appointed Saturday the Court room was filled with distinguished citizens of both groups. Dr. Harvey Johnson was there, also Bishop A. W. Wayman, noted prelate of the A. M. E. Church, along with the officials of the Brotherhood of Liberty.
7 Dr. Johnson assembled the Revs. Annanias Brown, Wm. C. Lawson, P. H. A. Braxton, W. M. Alexander and J. C. Allen within his study, presented them with a proposed constitution, organized The Brotherhood for Liberty and accepted the presidency. Its aim as set out is. "to use all legal means within our power to procure and maintain our rights as citizens of our common country." Consult Minutes of this organization, published under title. "My Day in Court" (Alexander) Library of Congress. Also. "Con-tribution of Harvey Johnson" (Hawkins).
8 Mr. Wilson studied law in Boston, was admitted there in 1880, practised for three years and then came to Baltimore (1883) and taught school at Sunnybrook. See Baltimore Sun. Feb. 16. 1885.
6
|
