Chapter VI
THE ADMINISTRATION OF
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
THE COLLAPSE OF THE BANK
FREDERICK DOUGLASS MADE PRESIDENT
ESTIFYING before the Douglas Committee
 in 1876, Dr. Purvis, a Negro mem-—
 ber of the board of trustees, explained
why Frederick Douglass was made president.
“Prior to the last election in March, 1874,” he
said, “we had determined to get rid of an element
which we believed to be the cause of all our disasters,
 and we colored men put into the Bank
Mr. Douglass. We looked upon Mr. Alvord as
old and incompetent.” The testimony of others
before the Douglas Committee and the Bruce
Committee shows that for various reasons nearly
all concerned were willing for Douglass to be
made president and for several of the District
of Columbia trustees to be replaced by others.
Some, looking for a scapegoat, were anxious that
colored officials be in charge when the bank
failed as they were sure it would; others thought
that a Negro administration would restore the
confidence of the depositors and enable the institution
 to survive until better times.
Douglass was elected president in March,
! Douglas Report, p. 76.

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