Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1909-09-03
WESTERN NEGRO PRESS AsSOCIA.
TION MEETING. iii

The regular annual meeting of the
Western Press Association held its
meeting In Kansas City, Mo-, last week
While In number of attendance 1t was
not much of success for only about
twelve actual editors and newspaper
men were present, while the local citi.5
zens' attendance was small. due per-
haps to the fact that 1t was not suffi-
ciently we'll advertised and the coun-
ter attraction of the X. of p. was so
great and interesting all of these
with the Grand Masons Lodge of Kan
sas meeting in Kansas City, Kans., all
detracted from the Press Attendance,
yet 1t was a good meeting, especially
the last day for all the papers and ad-
dresses appealed to the intellect and
very interesting. The principal feat
ure of the association was the opening
prayer by Rev. John Jacobs, pastor
Of the M. E. Church of Kansas City,
Kan, then the president appointed
the following committees on resolu-
tions, r, E. l., Bailey of Kan
sas City: M. H. King, of st.
Louis, Mo-, Prof. H. r. Graham
of Quindario, anK.; on address to
Country and Resolution, i. Smither-
man, OF Muskogee, Okla. Prof. j. Dali
las Bowser of Kansas City, Rufus Lo-,
gan of Columbia, Mo-, and Harris of
Kansas City; on Nominations and next
place of meeting Nick Childs OF Tope-
ka, Kan, Mrs. j. Silome Yates of JEFF
ferson City. Mo-, A. j. Smitherman VI
Okla. The following visi-
tors was introduced and made inter-
esting addresses. A. L. King Of st.
Louis, Mo, Prof. Owens of Lane Col
lege of Texas, Mr.. ShackelfOrd of Kan
sas City, Mrs. Williams Of Kansas City,
Mrs. j. ,Silome Yates Of Jefferson City,
Rev. Jno. Jacobs, Rev. Jones Of Kan
sas City, Kan. P. E. Mcdowell of Kan
sas City, Mo-. Rev. w, NJ Graham Of
Kansas City, Rufus Logan, Prof. J.
Dallas BoWser.
+ The resolution committee made Its
full report and address to country was
read and adopted. Then the commit
tee on nomination and location re-
ported the following officers: For
president, John C. Thompson OF Des
Aloines. Iowa; vice president, A. Y.
of Muskogee, Okla; res
cording secretary, Mrs. J. Silome
Yates OF Jefferson City, Mo-; cores
ponding secretary, Prof. j. Dallas OF
Kansas City, Mo-; treasurer, John
Bass, Helena, Montana; chairman Of
executive committee, Prof. II. R. Gra-
ham Of Quindario, Kan, and the next
place OF meeting is Muskogee, Okla.
Time, the Friday and Saturday fol-
lowing Thanksgiving in 1910. The
presidents
Address to the Country.
First, that we editors CLEAN from
past experiences and using them as a
guide for us in the present and fu-
lure welfare of the race we can see a
ray of hope and better things for the
negro race in North America while
IN South America, Canada and Mexico
hey are making great advancement.)
The lessening of crime among our
element, the reducing OF the
number Of lynchings. with a larger
per cent Of our children in the COM
non public high schools and colleges
with lower per cent of illiteracy
han any other time with more OF our
aborers entering the organized and
skilled labor unions, with the recent
Georgia discussion regarding the col
pred firemen, giving them equal pay
with other firemen, all point to general
but sure advancement along
Ill lines.
Second, that we urge our people In
every community to acquire property
earn trade. enter into business, live
! good moral life, create a friendly
and neighborly feeling with your cau-
:asion brethren, thereby cementing
he chain Of friendship with will be
effective. Ef
Third, while the race has gained, but
little Of her equal political rights
1enied them, yet the settling Of the
affair by the efforts Of
Hon. j. b. Foraker and others where
~ those discharged soldiers may be
reinstated with full rights and full
back pay from date of discharge.
/ Fourth, but further resolved that we
urge congress to take some cOnstitu-
.ional procedure whereby those states
which have violated the constitution OF
he United States be furnished or else
/ reduction Of representation in con-
gress be made In accordance with the
republican party pledge in national
platform. RI.
Fifth, we would urge to become
more united, the identity themselves
with the best elements of American
life and seek only those things that
are uplifting and elevating to this
much watched race the tendency to
suppress intemperance and lawless-5
ness in the southland by the better
class of both races.