The San Francisco call., 1895-07-31
AFRO-AMER|CAN LEAGUE.
The First Congress Held on
the Pacific Coast in
Session.
A THREATENED DISSOLUTION.
Order Restored, r. w. Houston
Made Temporary Chairman and
Delegates Seated.

The first congress of the Afro-American
Leagues ever held on the Pacific Coast was
called to order in California Hall, on Bush
street, yesterday afternoon, by T. B. Nor
ton of San Francisco. The first act in the
proceedings was prayer offered by Rev.
George e. Duncan, pastor of the Third
Baptist Church. The call for the congress
issued by the Afro American Leagues of
the State was read, and Mayor Sutro deliv-
cred an address of welcome which was
punctuated with outbursts of applause.
Mr.. Morton responded in brief but
earnest address, in which he said:
We trust that our deliberations will be pro-
duetive of most excellent results; that the ad-
dresses delivered and the essays read will in
spire US with higher ambition and purpose In
life and that in future we shall look back upon
this assemblage OF our people with unalloyed
satisfaction.
Thus far the floor of the convention was
occupied by as quiet and orderly a body of
men as might have been found in re-
ligious assem- blage. w. E. Henderson ad-
dressed the chair with a motion for the
appointment of committee of five on
temporary organization. Then the quiet
and peacefulness was transformed into a
chaos of shouts, demands, warnings and
accusations,
George W. Dennis demanded recognition
from the chair, but the heavy pounding of
the gavel was the only response. He de-
manded the adoption of parliamentary
usage in nomination of candidates for
temporary officers. In the turmoil a sec
ond to the motion of Mr.. Henderson was
recognized by the chair, the motion put to
vote and carried by a storm of ayes and
in spite of the protestations of Mr.. Dennis
Ouvpnc Cy
named were appointed on the committee:
w. Z. Henderson, W. A Brinkley, Mat
Stephens.
''Will you allow me to make state
mentp shouted Mr.. Dennis.
You are aware" returned the chair
man, THAT | cannot recognize any one
whose credentials are not filed here"
Dennis declared that his credentials were
filed, but the chairman disregarded his
assertions and the proceedings went on
despite the opposition offered by Messrs.
Dennis, Collins and Jackson. They wanted
to know whether Mr.. Morton were a cZar
or servant of the people. They charged
him with insulting the intelligence of the
people of California and disgracing his
race. They asserted that he was the tool
of Dan Burns. There were roars, and
shouts, and imprecations, and amid it all
the committee on temporary organization
reported R. w. Houston of Bakersfield for
temporary chairman. He was we'll re-
ceived, and delivered an address which for
the time restored order.
Then George w. Dennis again endeav-
ored to object to what he called the gag
rule of the proceedings and was called
down on point of order made by T. B.
Morton that Dennis claimed to represent
the Anti-Lynch League, now dead, which
point of order the new chairman promptly
sustained. Mr.. Dennis made few further
and Intellectual efforts to secure recogni-
ton, and after introducing himself person.
ally to the chairman and shaking his hand
warmly subsided.
The following-named committee on cre-
dentials was appointed and retired:
j. B. Wilson, Alameda; II. A. Collins, Stock
ton; F. A. Sample, Redding; William Prince,