Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-07-07
STATE COUNCIL
PASS RESOLUTION
CoLoRED PEOPLE AT DIES MONIES
MEETING DEPLoRE CRIMINAL
ASSAULTS ON WOMEN.

Des Moines, July 8. Criminal
assaults upon women, whether COM
mitted by white men or negroes, We're
severely condemned by the members of
of the Iowa State Afro American
council at its regular annual session
held in Des Moines all day Saturday.
The council congratulated the people
of Iowa that there is such respect for
law and order, that lynchings have not
been resorted to in these cases.
The council further took occasion to
praise Hon. j. B. Foraker for his
labors in behalf of the negro soldiers
discharged at Brownsville, and MADE
the request that congress and the Iowa
members thereof pass the Foraker bill
soldiers not proven guilty of any
wrong doing
At the annual election held in tn.
afternoon four Des Moines negr oes
were honored with offices. S. Joe
Brown was elected president, Mrs. j
L. Edwards assistant secretary, E. L.
Banks treaturer, and Rev. e. P
Geiger chaplain.
Address to Public.
The complete address to the public
adopted by the council is as follows:
I'VE reaffirm our gratitude to the
Hon. j. B. Foraker of Ohio for his
labors in behalf of the negro soldier
discharged at Brownsville and ASK
congress and Iowa members hereof
that at the next session they fail nc!
to pass the Foraker soldier bill OF
some similar measure that these sol
diers not proven guilty be restored
10 their honorable positions.
I'VE note with appreciation the
present tendencies of the press both n
reportorial and editorial columns tc
handle questions affecting the negro
race with greater care, and we ASH
those responsible in these matters tc
give struggling people the benefits
Of whatever influence shall better theil
condition.
Iowa citizens have recently heart
much Of the crime of criminal assault
alleged to have been committed by me-
groes, and the state has also beer
sbacked by the news that a white mar
has confessed to the commission d
this crime upon negro girl.
We therefore especially condemn
this crime whether attempted or com
mitted by black or white man and con.
tEere is such respect for law and ordeI
that lynchings have not been resortei
tc in these cases.
Race is Progressing.
we congratulate the negroes o
Iowa upon their splendid progress an,
Increase in prosperity and brsinec
enterprise, also in skilled trades an
graduates from high school and col
lcges and advise stronger race prid
among our people,"
This address was signed by e. A
| Carter, M. D., of Buxton, chairman
of the committee; George H. Woodsor
Oskaloosa; Rev. T. L. Griffith. De
Moines; w. S. Stratton Mason City
| w. S. Page, Ottumwa: j. B. Rust
Des Moines; Mrs. w. l.. Jones, Maso
City
The officers elected for the ensuin
year are: President, s. Joe Brown
Des Moines; vice president, Miss Edn
Martin, Ottumwa; secretary, Mrs "
L Jones, Mason City; assistant secre
tary. Mrs. j. l.. Edwards, Des Moines
treasurer, Rev e. P. Geiger De
| Moines; organizer, w. L. Jones, Maso
City; assistant organizer, W. s. Page
/ Ottumwa; executive committee, Rev
1 I. L, Griffith, Rev w. S. Brooks, Rev
| F P. Geiger, J. B. Rush, Mrs Matt
| Warricks; extension committee, MI!
| Helen Downey M. O. Culberson, d
! G. Sumner Taylor Miss Martha Lef1e
Rev. J. c. Reid.
/ The day sessions of the council wer
/ held in the Burns M. e. church an
the night meeting at the st. Paul 4
i M. e. church. George H. Woodso
made the principal address at til
evening session.