The Denver star., 1915-03-13


work is national in scope and its influ-
ence for good bas been felt by our
people In foreign countries.
The primary objects that called the
Equity congress into being were. first.
the securing of representation for col
ored men In the national guard OF the
state: second. the getting Of colored
men on the police force and in the fre
department.. and third. to arouse col
ored men and women to the advan-
tages of the civil service offered by
the city. state and national govern
ments
The congress has succeeded beyond
the expectations of its organizers and
sympa thizers In accomplishing all three
OF these objects Through its mill
tary committee. aided by other civic
and political organizations. 1t secured
the passage OF a law creating a regi-
ment Of infantry in the city Of New
York. to be composed exclusively of
Negroes. This law. which passed the
legislature unanimously. was placed
upon the statute book on June 9. 1913.
Governor william Sulzer having signed
II on that date.
The regiment has not yet been mus
tered in. due to difference Of opin
ion In the Interpretation of the law by
those officers of the national guard
whose duty 1t is to carry out the
provisions of the act But the con-
gress is still doing everything possible
to have the will OF the people, as ex-
pressed through their representatives.
put into effect And. with the change
OF administrations which has Just tax
EN- place at Albany. the chances of
mastering in the regiment and having
colored men as part and parcel Of the
national guard Of the state Of New
York grow brighter.
1t has succeeded In getting colored
men upon the police force. and so, for
the first time since consolidation this
city has four colored men among its
peace officers. This number will. It In
hoped. be Increased yearly until there
shall be a sufficient number OF colored
men upon the force to proportionately
represent the colored population of the
city. Two colored men have passed
the entrance requirements and have
been admitted to the fire department.
while others are preparing for the
forthcoming examinations. As a re-
suit OF Its campaign Of education con-
Quoted by the civil service committee.
large numbers of men and women have
competed In the examinations for po-
kitions In the municipal. state and ma.
tionnl service.
The congress enjoys the rare distinc-
tion Of being honored each month with
the presence Of distinguished men. who
consider themselves honored In turn
BY being permitted to address the con-
Rresa Governors. United States sena-
tors. congressman. Judges. a lieutenant
general Of the United States army and
other men distinguished In all walks
Of life have appeared before the con-
gress from time to time. Candidates
during their canvass for once seek to
appear before the Equity congress as
often a. possible.
The organization Of the congress Is
patterned after and Its business is con.
Quoted after the manner In vogue in
the national congress. The presiding
od]cer = deaixnated speaker" and
there are majority and minority door
leaders. lts committees are compris-
I'd Of the following: Executive, rules.
ways ana means. laws and legislation.
military, clvtl seEvice, complaints. rro-
rsam ana co4cuxz00t UoA9urea.