The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-28
COLORED EDITORS MEET
SESSION OF THE AFRO-AMERICAN
PRESS ASSOCIATION YESTERDAY.
Officers Elected and Addresses Deliv-
ered-Programme of the Exercises
-Committee ON resolutions

at Bethel Church yesterday The election
occurred in the afternoon and resulted in
the substitution of two new officers for two
who served during the year past. George
l. Knox, of this city, editor of The Free
man, was chosen for the associations vice
president. instead of J. T.. Bruce. of AL
bany, n. Y. A. L.. Manly. of Martinsburg.
w. Va, editor of the Daily Record, Wash
ington. ID. G, was elected secretary in
place of J. r. Clifford, OF Martinsburg, w.
Va. Cyrus Field Adams. editor of The APP
peal, Of Chicago. was reelected president,
and w. ii. Steward. of the American Bap-
fist. Louisville, KY, was again chosen
treasurer.
A formal programme had been prepared
for both morning and afternoon sessions
yesterday, but the member whose names
appeared on this programme failed to put
in appearance. and a new arrangement
had to be made. In the morning the pre-
liminary business of the organization was
transacted. A. L.. Manly was made tenn
porary secretary. and the credentials of
members were received and recorded. There
was a general discussion of the outlook for
the coIored newspaper in the United States.
A brief talk was made by Prof. r. r
Wright. president of the Georgia Indus
trial School for Colored Young People and
an e~x-newspaper editor, in which he de-
clared for greater independence of colored
editors. Mr.. Wright spoke against the al
legged practice of accepting money for the
printing of articles in negro papers which
are not in line with the best interest and
development of the race. He also said the
colored men would do we'll to read their
OWN newspapers and encourage Them by
their support. T. L. Fortune. editor of
the New York Age, discussed 1.-The Afro
American Editor" and showed an inclina-
ton to resent the assertion that the col
ored man accepts money for inserting GER
tain articles in his paper. He declared
that in reality the negro editor has stooo
by his race better than it has stood by
him. He said what is wanted is rather
better readers instead of better editors.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION,
The afternoon session opened with a
short address by A. L.. Manly. who told
about the time when he was driven from
North Carolina in the race riots of 1898.
The reason for his expulsion was that he
took a stand which was nonpartisan and
fought against the action of the people
who tried to drive out the progressive ele-
ment Of the colored race. Prof. James
Lawson, of Washington, ID. c., who is an
employe of the Pension Bureau, followed
Mr.. Manly in a three-minute talk. He gave
the interesting information that there are
LIS negro newspapers published in the
United States.
President Cyrus F. Adams read a letter.
printed in the Chicago Record last Tues
day, from that papers Jamaica CORE
spondent. W. J. Thorpe, i'm which he mar
rated the equality upon which the different
nati0nalities represented I'm the island
dwell The letter declared that the negroes
of. Jamaica are orderly and law-abiding
citizens, and that a white woman is able 10
traverse the extent of the island without
suffering the slightest indignity. Mr..
Thorpe said the progress of the negro in
the island has been marvellous. He declared
that the negro will not "go under" be-
cause he has too much vitality; he thrives
on civiization; none of the crimes alleged
against the negro race in the. Southern part
OF the United States are known in Jamaica,
where the colored men are left TO govern
themselves. The writer said in conclusion
that those in the United States who are
seeking TO solve the race problem would do
We'll TO turn their eyes toward Jamaica for
valuable points.
The discussion of Mr.. Thorpe's letter
was led by It. It. Fortune, who said he has
often been called one of the 'irebrands''
designation by making a vigorous appeal
to his fellow-citiZens not to submit to the
treatment which he declared has been
melted out to them. He referred TO sep
separate school laws, saying that doubt
less. after a while there will be separate
streets for the colored men to walk on and
separate grayeyards in which they must
be buried. He continued, II am in favor
of getting up and denouncing these things,
but when we do they will call us fire.
brands. Newspapers I'm this town de-
nounce US for saying that when you deny
men their rights you are making desperate
roa, bat No. cfatoponnf tCn rtra A. ~
other point in his talk Mr.. Fortune de-
clared with emphasis: Il believe in telling
the white men of this country that we ex-
of us" a sentence which drew forth vigor-
Gus applause from the few who were pres
w. III. Steward, of Louisville, pleaded for
moderation of discussion of the race ques-
ton. He said the mob spirit very often
prevails against a white criminal and that
occasionally a white man Is unJustly con-
| victed by a jury just the same as a colored
man. He cited the Caleb Powers trial at
| Georgetown as an example of this. Mr..
Steward said that possibly the feeling
| against negroes I'm Georgia may be due to
the fact that. on account of funds for free
education of the colored children. they are
able TO obtain educational advantages de-
MED to the poor white children, and that
the parents of the latter have become jeal-
Gus.
DIR. r. f. Hurley, former pastor of Bethel
Church., now editor of The Christian Re-
corder, Of Philadelphia, spoke in a manner
| similar TO that of Mr.. Fortune. The white
man of the South has got to be educated
in the elements of true manhood" he said,
''He has got TO learn that manhood is not
found in the color OF the skin. The white
man of the South must be taught the ele-
ments of morality. The lawmakers of
the Southern States must learn that crime
IS none the greater because committed by
the black man." The speaker declared
that the solution OF the race question will
never come by compromise. A statement
made by him which was heartily applauded
was I'VE ask all the rights of any citizen
Of this country, to vote as we please
COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS.
At this ~juncture the committee on resolu-
tions. composed of w. NJ. Lewis. Miss Lii
Ian T. Fox and William III. Steward, was
named and directed TO retire for the pur-
pose of drawing up a set of resolutions to
be read at the night session. A commit
tee was also chosen to nominate officers.
This committee was made up of George Z.
Stewart, w. II. a. Moore and Rev. r.. r.
Hurley. Its selections were unanimou
Endorsed by the delegates.
The discussion was resumed with a plain,
STRAIGHTFORWARD, eloquent plea for modera-
ton. made by Robert Bruce Bagby, ex-
record clerk of Marion county Mr.. Bag
bv's speech was frequently applauded, and
al the close of the session he was congrat-
ulated by many who pronounced il one OF
the best made during the day. He said IL
is the duty of the colored man TO protect
always deport himself as a true gentleman.
that No Rkrh na.Gn