has been active in promoting all of her interests and
that his services have been valuable is cheerfully admitted
in the Board of Trade and industrial circles. He was
conspicuous in advancing the prospects of the famous
exposition of 1895, and is now striving to round out the
work of securing a commodious federal building for the
enterprising Georgian capital. He bore the brunt of the
fight against the "Hardwick bill" and was potent in
defeating both that infamous measure and the "Payne
resolution." He has been repeatedly elected a delegate to
the national conventions of the Republican party.

Since July 26, 1897, Mr. Rucker has been collector of
internal revenue for the District of Georgia with
headquarters in his own city, Atlanta. The receipts for the
last fiscal year were more than double those of preceding
years and exceeded in the same proportion the revenues
gathered in any single year since the organization of the
state. This marvelous showing is due partially to Mr.
Rucker's prompt, thorough and painstaking plan of operation
and of course in large measure to the national prosperity,
growing out of President McKinley's shrewd financial
policies. Brilliant as has been the past of this progressive
Afro-American, the future holds out the promise of grander
achievements. The race honors Mr. Rucker and holds him close
to its heart, because he has proven himself a leader that
can be trusted. When he commands "close ranks, steady,
march," the Georgia populace goes forward in one conquering
phalanx, determined, aggressive and undaunted, remembering
that enduring power comes not by "fits and starts," but by
clinching with mailed hand the rewards that have been won.

One who has never been taught to appreciate what health is and to
understand hygienic laws can not become a safe guardian of his or her
physical being. For when this being is attacked, as is constantly the
case, by its millions of enemies, if all of its portholes have not
been properly guarded it easily falls prey to disease and death.

As a race the Negro has had neither the time nor the opportunity to
inform himself on the principles of health saving or in those of
health getting--if there be such. Both prior to and since his
emancipation his time, except nominally, has been the property of
others from whom he