The San Francisco call., 1895-10-18

the conference, which was to consummate.
If possible the one feature particularly
advocated by the recent congressional is,
the establishing OF commercial enterprises
to be located throughout the State, run
by and in the interest of the colored
people. It was unanimously decided to
open mercan tile houses in San Francisco
Oakland, Stockton, Los Angeles and Bak-
ersfield, and a committee was appointed
to solicit subscri ptions to stock among the
wealthy colored men in this City and the
State at large. R. W. Houston of Bakers
field is one of the principal movers in the
undertaking, and he talks confidently of
the outlook so far as his immediate section
is concerned.
''It is our purpose to establish mercan-
tile houses in all the principal cities of the
State" said Mr.. Houston, in explaining
the proposition to the council. SIN
Bakersfield the first store will be started,
this point being selected because of its ag-
ricultural advantages L have canvassed
the situation carefully and have talked
with many of the most prominent white
people of my city relative to the advisable
ity of such a move. Among those seen
may be mentioned Judge Conklin, D. D.
Hill and President Tevis of the Kern
County Land Company, and without a
single exception they not only gave it
their hearty Endorsement, but assured me
that the Afro American store Will receive
at least portion of their patronage.
The capital stock will be fixed at $4,000,
with the privilege of increasing to $4,000.
In order that every colored citizen may
feel able to subscribe for at least one share
of stock it has been thought advisable to
place them at $50. That there may be no
faz1 1f k.~fn lf he
proposed stockholders 1 will say that those
who are placed in charge of the business
will be required to execute goou and suf-
ticient bond for the faithful performance
of the trusts imposed in them. They will
also be required to furnish statements OF
the business so often as to preclude any
possible misapproprlatlon OF funds.
among those who have already sub
scribed may be mentioned T. B. Morton,
our president; J. NJ. Bridges of Fresno,
Charles Aukrum, Mathew Stevens, B. L.
Gary, A. w. Vessel and myself all of
Kern County, and Jacob Overton, San
Jose; Wiley Hines, Tulare; S. l.. Hogan,
Woodland, and William Upton OF Santa
Cruz, all represen tative colored men, and
among the wealthlest of our race. Sew
eral others have sIgnifed their desire to
join in the enterprise.
"The store or stores will be cooperative
in their nature. and will be extensive
enough 10 admit of a man buying any
thing from pin to a threshing- machine.
We also propose to run blacksmith-sho
and tailoring establishment
A committee of seven was then ap-
pointed to draft articles OF incorporation,
when, after passing the following resolu-
ton, the council adjourned subject to the
call Of the president:
Whereas The Afro-American Congress
adopted resolution providing that the first
day OF January in each year be generally OBJ
therefore each local league throughout the
State is hereby instructed and requested to
take steps to celebrate in fitting and becom-
portance to the whole Afro-Amercan race of
the United States. 1t is also recommended
that collection be taken up for the John
Brown and Frederick Douglass monument