The Indianapolis journal., 1899-08-14
CONVENTION OF NEGROES
IMPORTANT CHICAGO GATHERING OF
COLORED MEN THIS WEEK.
Factions VIII Clash Over Resolutions
DenOuncing Mckinley for Not
Preventing Lynchings.

CHICAGO, Aug. 13.-A convention of the
Afro-American Council of Colored Man will
be held at Bethel Church beginning Wednes-
day and lasting until Saturday evening
This convention will probably be one of the
most important gatherings of colored men
that has been held for some time. 1t is ex-
pected that fight will result over the reso-
lutions which 1t is promised will be intro
duced denouncing President Mckinley for
not using the federal authorities to pre-
vent lynchings in the South. There is no
doubt that resolutions of this import will
be brought before the convention and on
that issue the forces on both sides are al
ready lining up
The faction which will support the reso-
luton. 1t Is understood. take the ground
that the broad humanitarian line should be
drawn. that lynchings should not be toler-
ated either in Georgia or Illinois, and that
when the state authorities are unable to
prevent the recurrence of such crimes the
strong hand of the national government
should step in, no matter whether the victim
be white or black. From Washington are
coming Congressman White, of North Car
olina. the only colored congressman in the
present Congress; Judson Lyons, registrar
of the United States treasury; John p.
Green. United States stamp agent. and II. P.
Cheatham. recorder of deeds. They will, it
is said, stoutly oppose resolutions censuring
the President. - -..-
Among other questions to be taken up is
that of immigration. There is growing be-
lief. it is said among the leading colored
men of the country that If half million
negroes were taken from the South and scat
tered through the Northwest the conditions
in the South would be ameliorated TO
very great extent The revised state con,
stitutions of Mississippi. Alabama, North
and South Carolina and Louisiana will also
receive careful consideration and funds will
be raised to get the questions involved
squarely before the United States Supreme
Court The colored men claim that the con-
stitutions mentioned permit the white peo-
pie in those States TO disfranchise the COL
Another question which will come up for
discussion Is the separate car law In vogue
throughout the South. The constitution ality
of the law will be tested If possible. The
convention on these questions, expects 10
hear such prominent colored men as Booker
T. Washington. Bishop II. NJ. Turner of At
lanta. Bishop b. w. Arnett of Ohio, and
Bishop Alexander Walters the president of
delegates to the convention are delegates
to the convention of the National Associa-
ton of Colored Women's Clubs and are now
in the city attending this week the two
conventions.
Saturday evening a banquet will be given
the visiting delegates at the Sherman House
by the local committee.
Delegates to the convention of the National
Association of Colored Women's Clubs Will
meet tomorrow in Quinn Chapel. Monday,
Tuesday and Wednesday will be devoted
to the business of the convention. Especial
attention will be given to the department
of home work and the report of the COM
particular notice will be taken of the pris-
ons In the South.