Cayton's weekly. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1916-1921, 1918-02-02
ALDRICHs' CONGRESSIONAL IDEA
Editor Cayton's Weekly.

ripe time for a permanent organization OF
the entire colored population Of this coun-
try for effective work along the lines OF
selfdefence and preservation. We have
many worthy organizations doing good
work. but not one covers the points IN
question and not one OF them is organized
in such manner as to reach every person
of Negro blood.
l respectfully suggest to the leaders IN
each State anad county through your paper
and suoh other papers as will see tit to
copy this article, that permanent Con-
gress be organized and on the same lines
as is our o. S. Congress; with two houses,
which should meet at Washington d. o.,
with each regular session of the U. 5. Con-
gress That this proposed Negro Congress
be charged with the full care Of all matters
pertaining to interests Of Negroes and with
power to lobby in their behalf and to in
fuence members Of the U. S. Congress in
every possible legal way in their behalf
The sessions of this Congress should be OF
the same length as that Of the U. S. Con-
gress and that the term of office be four
years
The first congress shall draw up Con-
stitntion along similar lines in regard to
the interests of the race as their Articles OF
incorporation and submit the same to all
Negro electors for adoption or rejection be-
fore incorporating A two-thirds vote Of all
Negroes voting shall suffice to adopt by
sections. Said proposed Constitution to be
published in the Negro press of the United
States for three months prior to the time
designated for the vote to be taken. Con-
gress shall provide the means for holding
this election by voluntary subscriptions in
each state. Local congresses to be organ
lied on similar lines after the national body
1>>n
ton.
l believe that such a general organization
among the colored people would tend to
unity and make effective our actual strength
in this Nation in our own behalf. Every
Negro held to be member by the fact of
his being a Negro the only indispensable
qualifications being Negro with visible
traces of Negro blood and law abiding
citizen.
A Pan-Negro organization for ALL No
membership fee, no dues, but no member
shall participate in any election meeting or
other operation Of either the National or
State organization who does not contribute
at least 25 cents per annum-1O cents for
the general congress national work and Is
cents for state or home work.
The delegates from each state shall be as
signed to a congressman from his own state
gro delegation to Washington, and the rep
resentative from each state shall endeavor
to influence the U. S. Congressman from his
or her state exclusively. And no such work
shall be undertaken on any matter unless
directed to do so by majority vote Of the
Negro Congress. All information that may
be obtained by any delegate of the pro-
posed action of Congress Of the United
States, in any matter affecting Negroes to
be laid before the Negro body or such dele
gates as may be appointed to receive said
information.
The power of the Negro Chief to be care
fully restricted and defined plainly, so with
the powers of the state Chiefs
I believe that in this way the Republican
and Democratic parties can be handled by
bringing to bear the entire Negro vote, in
stead Of begging at every election. Every
effort being backed by the entire power of
the Negro race in the United States
- In each State of this Union we should
have similar body independently acting in