The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-08-27
NEGRO COUNCIL
TO UPLlFI RACE
ORGANIZER OF NEW MOVEMENT
DISCUSSES PLANS.
Loyal Legion Cooperative Educational
System May Be, Put into Operation
Here to Adjust, Affairs Of Colored
People and to Make of Them Better
Citizens. 1872

z. W. Mitchell, founder and principal
of the Loyal Legion cooperative educa-
tional system, with home office at
Akron, who is now in Minneapolis, is a
was employed on the Tribune under
A.uJ. Blethen and was editor Of the
Protest. -
In 1892 Mr.. Mitchell went south to
study racial conditions among his own
people, and in general. After five
years of study he then began the work
of experimenting as to methods Of i'm
proving conditions north and south. The
Organization now has twenty seven dis
trict educational headquarters. 1T in
cludes eight diff different states. II it's scope,
with more than one hundred counties
organized and II @iinn f.: oberratinn: r..
- Petition Circulated. az
The question is now being discussed
as to whether a general district coun-
cil.,of the Loyal Legion shall be estab
! lished in Minneapolis. A petition. is be-
| ing circulated to get the matter in for
NAL shape to present to Mr.. Mitchell
! for consideration before he leaves the
city.
The real object Of the Legion is to
get hold of the great mass of the negro
race under live conditions, and teach
the more important lessons Of life:
Among others, how to make the best of
each opportunity afforded; how to
avoid things giving rise to prejudice,
contempt and disgust on the part of the
dominant race. Especially the purpose
is to reach the worthless criminal ele-
ment Of the race and lift it to higher
planes Of effort.
This work is done thru the co-opera-
ton Of the master or employing class Of
whites, with the better class Of negroes.
who are selected as officers.
Work Is Tested.
The first test Of the work was made
at Akron after 100000 worth Of prop
in that city. How successful the labors
have been is suggested in resolutions
passed by the Akron council in July
recounting the good. effects of Mr..
Mitchell 8 work and asking President
Roosevelt and all others interested to
consider the worth Of the movement
and the merits Of the Legion.
With the Endorsement of President
Roosevelt and thru him of the admin
work Of the legion as a. practicable and
sane medium for bringing about har
monious solution Of the so-called race
problem. -
At Akron at. the time the Mitchell
work began, there were q great many
idle, reckless and criminal members OF
the negro race to- be found, with two
and other questionable places. Now
thru the efficient work of the head Of
the organization there is not saloon
gambling place or public place Of ques
tionable character, conducted by ne
gro in the city or county.
How Council Operates.
Should a council be secured for Min
neapolis the method will be to appoin
a council board Of twenty-five member
who will serve their race in the same
the city, All matters touching the in
terests of the race from any viewpoint
will become the property Of this board
From among the councilmen, MIN
officers will be elected thru whom tn,
work Of dealing. with each phase of thu
race question will be reduced to bust
ness system. - d -. IT,
The movement is entirely undenom
national and on:partizan. If coun
Gil is organized in Minneapolis MI
I Mitchell will authorize council in st
Paul andjin Duluth, from which stat
= council will be organized.
"The work." said Mr.. Mitchell
HFhas the unqualified Endorsement O
4 Booker T. Washington and many other
of the most influential Of the, race, a
well as ssmany Of the leading white mel
of the country, including United State
senator's, governors and clergymen. =,
Commander Recommends Plan,
R. B. Brown Of GAINESVILLE, Ohio
who was electeds commander in-chief o
the Grand Army of the Republic i
: Minneapolis a week ago, writes highl
: Of Mr.. Mitchell's work. He said i
| part: 1T would be difficult. to con
| ceive of a higher duty devolving upe
any man than that ,of uplifting thos
| less fortunate than himself. Professo
Mitchell presents a practical plan,
believe, for the solution Of the racia
/ problem in this. country. He propose
| to uplift the brethren Of his race
organized effort on the part Of bot