Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1910-09-16
OF
NEGRO EDITORS
National Negro Press Assocla-
tl0n Holds Big Meeting,
WELCOMED BY ]. 4. ANDERSON
Members of tho Profession From Many
Sections Of tho Country Attended
Second Annual Session In New York.
Duty Of Negro Journals to Lead In
Racial Advancement.


Duty Of Negro Journals to Lead In
Racial Advancement.
BY N. BARNETT DODSON.
The morning and afternoon sessions
of the second annual meeting Of the
National Negro Press association was
held in the Metropolitan building, New
York, on Tuesday. Aug. 16. The even
ing session was held at st. Cyprian
z. e. church on Sixty third street.
The meeting was called to order by
James FL. Anderson, editor Of the Am
sterdam News, New York. In bidding
the editors and correspondents well
come to the city Mr.. Anderson said:
"You will find New York very pret-
ty place. Here you may come in con.
tact with the best and most helpful
influences of journalism We have here
the best typographers and most fin
ished reporters.
"The great need of Negro journalism
in this country" he said, ''is affilia-
tion with some great association which
distributes news, such as the Asso-
ciated Press.
IF we prove that we mean business"
he continued, II bave no doubt that
the day will come when many of us
will have an Associated Press fran
chise.
"You will find the press Of this city
cordial and courteous in Its treat
ment of race questions. 1t is true that
we do things that deserve condemna-
ton, and the newspapers here con-
denim us. On the other hand, they do
not withhold commentator when 1t
is due, u.s.
"There are times when we are carica-
tured and ridiculed, but will not say
that is not generally our own fault.
Prejudice does exist here. 1t could not
be otherwise when you consider that
in this city every nation is represented,
and as a consequence we must feel
what I may term combination Of
prejudice.
"Our duty should be to lead in the
advancement Of the Negro race. We
can mold sentiment, white sentiment
as well as colored, and I feel that In
these causes we should be systemat-
ically aggressive. The white press ap-
preciates intelligent aggressiveness
and is more impressed by it than by
indecision and lack of definite policy"
After Mr.. Anderson's address Pres
ident r. w. Thompson outlined the
program for the day and introduced
N. Barnett Dodson,, editor of the Afro
American page Of the American Press
Association, who told in brief way
how the service began and the man
ner in which it is supplied to editors
and publishers.
NJ Nj. Levy, editor Of the Florida
Sentinel; Paul II. Bray Of the Yonkers
IN. " Standard, Rev. Mr.. Byrd Of the
Rochester IN. " Sentinel, Horace D.
Slater, +. +. johnson Of Baltimore,
G. w. Singleton Of the Omaha (Neb.)
Enterprise, N. D. Brascher Of the
Cleveland (O) Journal, Rev. Il. s.
Boone of the Atlantic City IN. J) Mes
senger, DR.. Jackson Of the Dallas
Tex.) Express, Rev. DR.. l.. G. Jordan
Of Louisville, Ky, and Emmett J..
Scott of Tuskegee, Ala, were among
the other speakers at the morning
session.
Editors from twenty-five states were
present, and the sessions Of the con-
vention were marked by earnestness
and enthusiasm. President Thomp-
son's annual address was received
with hearty approval.
Miss Henrietta Vinton Davis, Miss
Geraldine Troutman Of Paris, ILL.,, and
Miss Irene L. Moorman of Brooklyn
took an active part in the proceedings
Of the convention. Charles Stewart
Of the Associated Press gave some of
his experience as a newspaper cor
respondent in the south and west,
where he contributes largely to the
white dailies as well as to our own
weekly papers.
The election of officers resulted as
follows: President, M. M. Levy, edi.
tor Of the Florida Sentinel, Pensacola,
Fla; vice president, N. D. Brascher.
Cleveland, O.; recording secretary,
Horace d. Slater, Hopkinsville, Ky;
corresponding secretary, r. w. Thomp-
son, Thompson's National News bu-
reau, Washington; treasurer, DR.. L. G.
Jordan, Louisville.
The following resolutions were unan-
imously adopted:
= NATIONAL NEGRO
PRESS ASSOCIATION.
The National Negro Press association.
in convention assembled, congratuates
the Negro newspaper men of the country
upon the steady progress they are max
ins, in the number, character and infiu-
ence Of their publications. Never before
In the history Of the race has there been
stronger demand for honest. fearless
and well equipped journals than now. and
we feel greatly encouraged by the many
evidences that our 300 or more representa-
tive organs are proving equal to the task
confronting them.
We believe in the future of the race,
and. while bravey struggling against all
forms OF prescription and oppression. we
cannot be discouraged when we find our
schools and colleges turning out thou
sands Of trained leaders every year and
note the constant growth OF our people IN
education. civic pride and business pros.
pcliiy.