The times., 1899-04-10
HOPING TO SOLVE
THE Race PROBLEM
Aims of Bishop Walters Afro
American Council.
Efforts of Negro Leaders to Har-
monize Factions.
A Movement Having in View the
AmcIioration of the Conditions
of Colorcd People.

New York, April 9.-Bishop Alexander
Z. Zion Church and the President of the
National American Council. arrived
here yesterday from Philadelphia, where
he organized a subordinate council.
The Bishop is of the opinion that the
organization of which he is the head and
which recently held national convention
in Washington is destined to solve the
that Afro-American men and women of
prominence in all parts of the country are
associating themselves with the organiza~
tion. He said last night: Since the ad-
journment of our national convention,
which all concede was the most represen-
tative gathering of negroes ever held in
this country, | have been busy organizing
subordinate councils and effecting some OF
the objects of the organization.
There have been organized in Phila-
delphia and Washington councils which are
composed of the most intelligent, repre-
sentative, and influential citizens of color
in these two cities, and for the first time
in the history of the people the leading
minds of the race seem 10 have found COM
mon ground upon which they can unite.
manitarian, and if consummated should
be productive of great good not only to
us as race, but as citizens. having a
part in the welfare and prosperity of the
country. We propose to
'First-Investigate and make an impair
tial report of all lynchings and other out
RACES perpetrated upon American citizens
Second-To assist in testing the consti
tutionality of laws which are made for
the express purpose of depressing Afro
Americans.
'Third-To promote the work of securing
legislation which in the individual States
shall secure to all citizens the rights
guaranteed to tnem by the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution.
"Fourth-To aid in the work of prison
reform
''Fifth-To recommend healthy migra-
ton from terror ridden sections of our
country to States where law is respected
and maintained; 10 encourage both indus
trial and higher education; to promote bus
mess enterprise among our people; to edu
cate sentiment on all lines that specially
affect our race; to inaugurate and promote
plans for the moral elevation of the Afro
American people. and to urge the appropri
alton for school funds by the Federal Gov
ernment TO provide education for citizens
who are denied school privileges by dis
eliminating States.
"All religious and secular organizations
which have as their aim and work the
mental and moral elevation of the race
are entitled to representation in the
council, as editors of ro-American Jour-
mails and presidents of academies schools,
and colleges.
I'm order TO facilitate the work OF the
organization we have established legal
bureau, literary bureau, an emigration
bureau, a business bureau, and an indus
trial bureau Men best suited 10 each line
of this work have the bureaus in charge
and all seem to be aiding heartily in the
endeavor to ameliorate the condition of
our people everywhere.
Il have been very much encouraged and,
indeed much surprised, with the hearty
accord with which the leaders are now
working for the betterment OF the general
condition of the race.
THE officers of the council are men who
enjoy national regulations and are well
known in the republic of letters, while the
executive committee is composed of men
and women of prominence.
THE officers OF the council, other than
the president, are as follows: Vice presi-
dents, Bishop Abram Grant, d. D., of
Philadelphia; Bishop George w. Clinton,
D. D., of North Carolina; Bishop B. W.
Arnett, d. D., OF Ohio; Rev. George w.
Lee of Washington, ID. c.; John c. Dancy.
Of North Carolina; Rev. L. G. Jordan, Ken
tucky; Prof r. H. Terrell, of the District
of Columbia, and Lawyer c. ]. Jones. of
Mississippi Mrs. Ida Wells-B Barnett, of
Illinois, is the secretary: r. W. Thompson.
of Indiana, is assistant secretary; j. w.
Thompson, of New York, is the treasurer.
THE central headquarters of the council
are at No. Cedar Street, this city, with
T. Thomas Fortune as chairman of the
executive committee"