The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1901-07-06
AFRO-AMERICAN COUNCIL.

Call fol Annual Meeting at Philadelphia
~. Louisiana Test Case. ~}
= The fourth annual session of the Ma
tional Afro-American Council will be
held at Philadelphia, Pa, (probably in
the City Council Chamber), Wednes-
day, Thursday and Friday, August Z,
8 and 9, 1901. It is hoped that every
church, college, benevolent society, and
other race organizations, and editors
of race newspapers, will be represent
ed. It is the purpose of the officers
to make this meeting the largest and
most potent for good CT any which the
council has ever held. In recent years
Philadelphia has been the storm CEN
ter of several important national gath
erings for the discussion Of the race
question, and the outcome has not al
ways been the most favorable for the
Negro. We now have an opportunity
to refute the erroneous statements
which have been made there, and
change the unfavorable sentiment
which has been created by some of
the enemies of the race who have Sc
lected the Quaker City, as the forum
from which to hurl their philippics
against loyal and inoffensive people
on account of their color and previous
condition of servitude. "
Again, it is our earnest desire to col
lect sufficient funds at this meeting to
pay the remaining expenses Of our
Louisiana Test Case. We have just re-
ceived notice from our chief counsel,
Lawyer A. A. Birney of Washington,
D. c., informing us that the case is
progressing satisfactorily. GA full re-
port of this case will be made at the
Philadelphia meeting). We have al
ready paid $1,000 for counsel fees, and
$500 are now due. One thousand dol
lars more will be needed when the
final decision has been rendered by the
Supreme Court of the United States. If
there ever was time when every Me-
gro church, college, benevolent society,
and other race organizations should
send representatives, accompanied by
the annual tax of five dollars, to a
great national gathering, now is that
time. The meeting should be so great
in numbers and influence as to forever
set at rest the oft-repeated statement
that the Negro is not interested in his
civil and political rights. l.. : -e.s
The basis of membership, as provid-
ed for by the constitution, is: .sThe
Afro-Amerlcan Council shall be com
posed OF members as follows: Cd All
persons who hold life membership. (2)
Council delegates, representing duly
accredited Local Councils (3) Affili-
ated delegates, representing organiza
lions of similar plans and purposes,
cooperating with the Afro-American
Council. Every local Afro-American
Council shall be entitled to representa-
ton in the National Council by dele
gates elected on a basis Of one dele
gate to every fifty members, said dele
gate to qualify upon presentation of
credentials and payment of the annual
tax OF five dollars. Religious and sec
ular organizations which have for their
aim and work the mental and moral
elevation OF the race, and which de-
sire to cooperate with the National
Council, may be represented by af1ili-
ated delegates, not more than two del
egates to- each organization. Said dele
gates shall have the right totvote upon
payment of five dollars for each dele
gate. Editors of Afro-American news
papers and principals Of academic
schools and colleges may be admitted
to membership in the National Council
and be entitled to a vote, upon preserl-
tation Of credentials and payment of
the annual tax Of five dollars"
'ss The citizens of Philadelphia are pre-
pairing to entertain the Council on a
magnificent scale. "A special rate of
fare and third on the certificate plan
has been granted on all railroads for
delegates. Those who intend visiting
the Pan-American Exposition at Buff
falo on their way to or from the Coun-
Gil meeting, will be allowed "stop
over at Philadelphia, thus getting the
advantage of the half-fare rates.
ALEXANDER WALTERS
President National Afro-American
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