MISCELLANY CLIPPINGS National Association of Colored Women, 1899 - 1901

Chicago Daily News Mon. Aug. 14, 1899.
TO IMPROVE THEIR PEOPLE.
Colored Club Women Begin Convention in Quinn Chapel to Discuss National Plans.
FIRST OF BIENNIAL SESSIONS.
Many Prominent Workers from Other States Are Here as Delegates--Lynching Will Be One of Topics Discussed.
About 300 colored women from every section of the union assembled in Quinn chapel, 24th street and Wabash avenue, to-day to discuss plans for the advancement of their race. It was the first biennial convention of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, which was organized by the union of over 300 clubs and societies in the various states. It was a representative gathering and many women were there whose names have long been known in connection with work for educational and social improvement.  The chapel was decorated in their honor with bunting and flags, and Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, the president of the association, when she called the convention to order stood on a platform amid towering palms.
Seated on the platform with the president were Mrs. B. K. Bruce, wife of ex-United States Senator Bruce, Mrs. Lucy Thurman of Jackson, Mich.; Mrs. Josephine E. St. Pierre Ruffin of Boston, wife of ex-Judge Ruffin, whose appointment to the bench by Benjamin F. Butler was one of the notable events of Butler's administration of the governorship of Massachusetts; Miss Anna V. Thompkins of Washington, D. C., corresponding secretary of the association; Mrs. Booker T. Washington, wife of the well-known educator of Tuskogee, Ala.
Many Prominent Women.
Other women of prominence among the delegates were Mrs. L. A. Davis, state organizer of the association; Mrs. Bonnie E. Curl of Chicago; Mrs. Josephine Silone Yates, Kansas City; Mrs. Jerome Jeffrey, Rochester, N. Y.; Mrs. Libbie Anthony, Jefferson City, Mo.; Mrs. Jennie E. Holmes, Atlanta; Mrs. Frances E. W. Harper, Philadelphia; Mrs. Mary Lunch, Salisbury, N. C., Miss Elizabeth C. Carter, New Bedford, Mass.; Mrs. Rosa Bowser Branche, Kansas City; Mrs. Silvia F. Williams, New Orleans; Mrs. J. W. E. Bowen of Chicago, and others. 
There was a little tilt at the opening of the proceedings when the committee on credentials was appointed.  It was found that some of the delegates were not provided with credentials and Mrs. Terrell, the president, who is known as the "mother of the association," because it was mainly through her efforts that it was organized, ruled that these delegates could have no part in the convention unless they obtained credentials by telegraph.
Mrs. Terrell said she would not permit a bad precedent to be established and ruled Mrs. Ruffin out of order when that lady attempted to address the delegates on the subject.
Mrs. B. K. Bruce.  Mary Church Terrell.
Mrs. Lucy Thurman. Mrs. Booker T. Washington.  Mrs. J. W. E. Bowen.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COLORED WOMEN.
Reports of Clubs Are Read.
The morning session was consumed in the organization of the convention and the reading of reports from clubs in the association.
This evening City Prosecutor H. A. Taylor, representing Mayor Harrison, will deliver an address of welcome to the delegates.  This will be followed by a reception to the delegates by the colored women's clubs of Chicago.  Among those expected to be present are Mrs. John A. Logan, Mrs. Shelby Cullom, Dr. and Mrs. W. R. Harper, Maj. W. F. Tucker and Mrs. Tucker.
The convention will be in session three days and among the subjects it will discuss are the convict lease system of the south and its effects and lynch law.  On the latter subject Mrs. Carrie C. Fortune of New York will read a paper.


TWO GREAT COLORED CONVENTIONS IN CHICAGO.
The greatest convention of colored ladies that ever assembled in the United States convened in Quinn Chapel, A. M. E. Church, Chicago, Ill., Aug. 14th, and remained in session day and night until Aug. 17th, Mrs. Mary Church Terrell of Washington, D. C., President. A lady of finished scholarship, well informed in parliamentary rules, and exceedingly apt in maintaining peace, good humor and turning everything into a rapid disposal of business. The only thing we heard her criticised about was one the most commendable qualities connected with her presidency.  So far, from introducing every little pigmy and bob-tail person to the consumption of time and the detriment of important business, she introduced nobody to her convention, gentlemen, ladies, lawyers, doctors, prelates, Bishops, orators, or any one.  The convention consisted of about a hundred and seventy-five of the most distinguished ladies of the country; and scores of the ablest addresses were delivered from manuscript and off-hand we ever listened to.  Indeed, Mrs. Yates of Kansas City, Mo., grappled with metaphysics in a manner we have never heard surpassed. It would be a waste of time to attempt to name the able ladies present; as we kept no notes, and to name the few we can remember and to omit the names of others, might possibly give offense, so we had better omit all of their names; but a grander cluster of females, beauty, intelligence, learning, oratory and polished diction, we do not believer every assembled of any color in female flesh.  Moreover, every phase of the race question connected with this country was considered and passed upon, such as race discrimination, prejudice, disfranchisement, jim-crow cars, child-bearing, child-rearing, industry, co-operation, science of business, virtue, prostitution, temperance.  The only thing that they exhibited profound ignorance about was emigration.  Yet a number were willing to try that if it would benefit the race.  But, in addition to the fact that women are not statesmen, the large majority of those who were present are above the lowly condition of our people in this country, and, as a general rule, people judge everybody to a greater or less extent by their own status.  Hence, it is not surprising that the bulk should be opposed to emigration.  We were surprised, however, to find that we had such a galaxy of grand women belonging to the Africanite race in this country.  If our men do not wake up, the women will surpass them at an immeasurable distance.
The Afro-American Council, Bishop Alexander Walters, D. D., President; Bishop A. Grant, D. D., First Vice President, and a number of other vice presidents, secretaries and other officers, met in Bethel Church, Rev. R. C. Ransom, D. D., Pastor, corner of Dearborn and Thirtieth streets, August 17th, some two hundred and more representatives from all parts of the country being present.  In addition to the divines, doctors, business men, politicians, editors and an endless quantity of lawyers, five Bishops were present as participants: Bishops Walters, Harris and Clinton of the A. M. E. Zion Church and Bishop L. H. Holsey, D. D., of the C. M. E. Church and H. M. Turner of the A. M. E. Church. After three days of hard work, during which time a number of able papers and statesmanic speeches were delivered, the convention adjourned.  A finer looking body of men we never saw assembled, and the array of talent was simply amazing.  But unlike the women, however, they confined themselves to the civil and political status of our race in this country.  And if ever one country got a good threshing, the United States certainly received it.  Colored Republicans, Democrats, Populists, immigrationists, anti-immigrationists and administration and anti-administration adherents, were all together doing business, saying what they pleased and respecting each other, as we never witnessed in a colored convention before. Every man appeared to be willing to hear anything the other might say for the good of the race.  Nobody cared what political tenants and racial theories the other possessed.  "Hear him! Hear him!" was the cry and the desire of every man who had anything to say.  In that particular we do not believe any convention like it ever assembled in this country before.  His Grace, Bishop Walters, presided with marked ability and was able to define every question with a satisfactory accuracy that stamped him as a superior man.  So that his re-election as President was practically unanimous.  Mrs. Ida B. Wells-Barnett, the Secretary, and one of the greatest little women in creation, exhibited a fitness for the office, and almost any other, that entitled her to the gratitude of  every one present.  An address to the country was prepared and adopted.  A series of resolutions, after considerable debate, were also adopted, and several bureaus were also created, which we will not attempt to name beyond the bureau of emigration of which the writer is chairman.  Much speculation had gone through the country by means of the public press to the effect that the convention would denounce President McKinley and condemn the administration in general, but no such thing was done, nor was there a direct resolution offered by any member of the convention to that effect.  While the president was criticisingly referred to by some of the speakers, commendable remarks were made by others. But the general sentiment prevailing, held that the president had law enough if he was disposed to check the vast amount of lynching going on in the country.  Indeed, the law enacted by the United States congress was presented and read before the convention, giving the number of the statute and in what books found, etc.  The most charitable consideration, however, was that the president had such a big job on hand with Spain and the Philippine islands, that he was afraid to shoulder any more responsibilities; others thought, however, that if he expected the support of the black man, in the existing wars, he should stand between him and the mobs at home; or show a disposition to do so. As the VOICE OF MISSIONS should now be in the hands of the printers, we cannot enter upon further detail of the convention and its doings.  Letters were received from Bishop Arnett, who was absent by the indisposition of his wife, and a number of other distinguished men from all parts of the state.  A communication received from Hon. W. A. Pledger, of Georgia, called upon the convention to do all in favor of emigration possible, produced quite a sensation.  The policy of Bishop Holsey to ask congress for sufficient territory somewhere within the domain of the Unites States to create one or two states for the use and benefit of the colored people, commanded considerable attention.  Some, however, regarded it as impracticable as others regard African emigration. But the general sentiment of the convention was that the Negro must go somewhere or make a desperate effect to revolutionize this country, if it involves life and existence; for the present condition of affairs could not last.  Sympathy was undoubtedly with the Filipinos, in the aggregate, as the United States was not a fit nation to carry its discriminating and color prejudices to any section of creation this side of perdition. The Christianity and civilizing virtues of the United States as a Missionary agent were caricatured in merciless terms.  Dispatches of sympathy were telegraphed to Dreyfus, now being tried in France, and Col. Robert G. Ingersoll, who recently this life, was complimented in the most lofty terms, while his piety and prospects for future felicity were regarded far above the Negro-hating, white-preacher hypocrites of the country, etc., etc.

[*Chicago Tribune Aug. 15, 1899.*]
NEGRO CLUB WOMEN MEET
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION CONVENTION 
AT QUINN CHAPEL.
Sixteen States Represented by Delegates 
in Attendance-Many Colored 
Men of Wide Reputation Among the 
Spectators - Sessions to Continue 
Until Thursday Night-Mrs. Mary 
Church Terrell, the President, Calls 
the Meeting to Order.
Mrs. Mary Church Terrell of Washington, 
D.C., called to order yesterday morning at 
Quinn Chapel the second convention of the 
National Association of Colored Women's 
Clubs. Mrs. Terrell is President of the association. 
The main body of the church 
was two-thirds full of delegates, representing 
sixteen States. On the platform with 
the President were the following other national 
officers:
First Vice President-Mrs. Josephine B. Bruce, 
Indianapolis.
Second Vice President-Mrs. Lucy Thurman, 
Jackson, Mich.
Treasurer-Mrs. Josephine S. Yates, Kansas 
City, Mo.
Corresponding Secretary-Miss Anna V. Thompkins, 
Washington. 
Recording Secretary-Mrs. Christine S. Smith, 
Nashville, Tenn.
Organizer-Mrs. Jerome Jeffrey of Rochester, 
N.Y.
Chairman of Executive committee-Mrs. Booker 
T. Washington, Tuskegee, Ala.
In the balconies which extend around 
three sides of the church were gathered the 
members of the various colored women's 
clubs of Chicago who were not delegates. 
Many of the prominent leaders of the colored 
people in Chicago and colored men who 
have held important positions in the nation 
and are known by reputation all over the 
country were among the spectators. Many 
of these men have come to Chicago to attend 
the national convention of the Afro-American 
Council of Colored Men, which will 
meet in Bethel Church, Dearborn and Thirtieth 
streets, tomorrow. 
Reports Made by Delegates. 
After Mrs. Terrell had made a brief speech 
congratulating her hearers on the assembling 
of the association again after a separation 
of three years, Mrs. Minnie Roach, Secretary 
of the Women's Civic League of Chicago, 
told of the work of the league during 
the last two years in rescuing women and 
aiding them to live better lives. 
Mrs. Fannie Taylor, Secretary of the I. B. 
W. club of Chicago, read the report of that 
organization. The report of the Ideal Woman's 
Club of Chicago was read by its Secretary, 
Mrs. L. D. Gordon. 
Reports from the visiting delegation were 
read at the afternoon session. Miss Frances 
A. Riley of Titusville, Pa., read a paper on 
"The Best Methods of Establishing Schools of 
Domestic Science." General discussion 
followed, led by Mrs. Florence Cooper of 
Memphis, Tenn., and Mrs. S. Lillian Coleman 
of Omaha, Neb. 
Forty-six Clubs Represented.
Mrs. Christine S. Smith, the recording secretary, 
announced that there were 146 delegates 
present at the convention, representing 
forty-six clubs from sixteen States, as 
follows:
                                                                     Delegates. 
Tuskegee Woman's club, Tuskegee, Ala. . . . . . . . 1
Ten to One club, Montgomery, Ala. . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Woman's club, Atlanta, Ga. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
Athens Woman's club, Athens Ga. . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Woman's Commercial Reciprocity club, Indianapolis, 
Ind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Woman's Improvement club, Louisville, Ky. . . . 2
Phyllis Wheatley club, New Orleans. . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Afro-American union, New Orleans, La. . . . . . . . 1
Woman's  Era club, Boston Mass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Willing Workers' club, Detroit, Mich. . . . . . . . . . . 1
Woman's federation, Ann Arbor, Mich. . . . . . . . 1
Sojourners' Truth club. Battle Creek, Mich. . . . . 1
Detroit Improvement club, Detroit, Mich. . . . . . . 1
John Brown association, St. Paul, Minn. . . . . . . . 1
Woman's Missionary club, St. Louis, Mo. . . . . . . .1
Wednesday Afternoon club, St. Louis, Mo. . . . . . 1
Self-Culture club, St. Louis, Mo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Woman's club, St. Louis, Mo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Orphans' Home association, St. Louis, Mo. . . . . . 1
Palmyra Willing Workers, Palmyra, Mo. . . . . . . . 2
Woman's league, Kansas City, Mo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Jefferson City Woman's club, Jefferson City, Mo. 2
Progress Study club, Kansas City, Mo. . . . . . . . . 2
Woman's Loyal union, New York City. . . . . . . . . 2
Woman's club, Rochester, N. Y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Woman's club, Omaha, Neb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Woman's Improvement club, Omaha, Neb. . . . . 1
F. E. W. Harper club, Pittsburg, Pa. . . . . . . . . . . 1
Woman's Minerva club, Cleveland, O. . . . . . . . . . 4
Woman's league, Newport, R. I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Coterie Migratory, Memphis, Tenn....................... 4
Colored Orphans' and Old Ladies' Home, Memphis, 
Tenn. ...............................................................4
Woman's league, Jackson, Tenn. ............................2
Phyllis Wheatley club, Nashville, Tenn. ..................3
Woman's Mutual Improvement club, Knoxville,
Tenn. ...........................................................................4
Nashville Relief club, Nashville, Tenn. .....................1
Peoria Woman's club, Peoria, Ill. ..............................3
J. R. Gaskins club, Evanston. Ill. ................................2
Colored Woman's federation, Chicago. ...................3
Progressive Circle, Chicago........................................5
I. B. W. club, Chicago .................................................5
Ideal Woman's club, Chicago ....................................5
Woman's Civic club, Chicago....................................23
National officers from different States ..................18

Addresses by White Women.
Three white women made brief speeches 
of welcome and encouragment to the delegates. 
The first was Mrs. Corinne Brown,
Vice President of the League of Cook County 
Woman's Clubs, and chairman of the Industrial 
committee of the National Federation 
of Women's Clubs. She deplored class
distinction between colored and white women, 
and said the only remedy was for the 
white and the colored women to work shoulder 
to shoulder for the common purpose of
abolishing the feeling of caste.
Miss McDowell, of the University of Chicago 
settlement surprised her hearers by 
announcing that she was a delegate. She is
the founder of the Lucy P. Gaston club of
Chicago, and, being asked by the colored
members of the club to serve as a delegate,
she said she had gladly consented.
Miss Elizabeth M. Farson, Assistant Superintendent 
of Schools of Chicago, expressed 
the opinion, drawn from many 
years of observation, that colored children
have by heredity greater musical ability
than white children.
Sessions of the association will be held
morning, afternoon, and evening, the convention 
closing on Thursday evening with a 
reception to the officers, delegates, and members 
of the association by the Federation of 
Colored Women's Clubs of Illinois. Mrs.
Fanny Barrier Williams is President of the
local association of Colored Women's Clubs,
which is entertaining the convention. She
is assisted by the following Chicago women,
who are chairmen of committees:
         Committee on Arrangements- Mrs. Agnes Moody.
        Committee on Transportation- Mrs. Douglass.
         Committee on Entertainment- Mrs. M. L. Davenport.
         Committee on Music- Mrs. Albert Hall.
         Committee on Social- Mrs. R. E. Moore.
          Committee on Ushers- Mrs. Taylor.


Chicago Tribune  Aug. 16, 1899
MUST ELECT NEW CHIEFS.
--
COLORED WOMEN'S CONVENTION VOTES DOWN AMENDMENT.
--
Discussion of the Proposed Changes
in the Constitution Occupies a Large
Part of the Business Session- One
Hundred and Forty-four Delegates 
Present- Expression of Views on 
Kindergartens in the South- Widow 
of Senator Bruce Speake in Evening.
--
As a result of a decisive vote taken in the 
convention of the National Association of 
Colored Women's Clubs yesterday at Quinn 
Chapel the association will be obliged to 
elect a new set of national officers today. 
The second day's proceedings of the convention 
opened rather late because of the late 
hour to which the banquet and reception of 
the previous evening had been extended. It 
was some time after 10 o'clock when President 
Mary Church Terrell called the meeting 
to order, with a few words of apology and 
explanation for the delay.
There were 144 delegates, representing 
clubs in sixteen out of the forty-eight States 
to which the organization has been extended. 
The States represented were Pennsylvania, 
North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, 
Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, 
Iowa, Mississippi, Massachusetts, and New 
York. The District of Columbia also was 
represented.
Mrs. Lucy Thurman, Jackson, Mich., offered 
the opening prayer, and then the delegates 
gave five minute reports of the work 
done in their organizations.
Amendments to Constitution.
During the business session several amendments 
to the constitution and rules were 
discussed. The discussion over the proposition 
to permit the reelection of the association's 
national officers indefinitely was 
argued and fought at great length. When 
the vote finally was taken the proposed 
amendment to the constitution was defeated 
by a decisive majority, and as a result of 
that ballot the association will be obliged to 
elect an entirely new set of national officers 
today.
No sooner had the important amendment 
been defeated than new trouble sprang up 
over a proposed change in the constitution 
which would compel all local organizations 
wishing admission to the national association 
to apply through the national organizer 
instead of through the State organizers, as 
at present. Mrs. Terrell got so near to the 
settlement of the new trouble as to take a 
vote on it, when the delegates from all 
parts of the church arose to ask for explanations 
of the amendment and the result 
of the vote was not announced, the convention 
adjourning for luncheon.
The fights over the proposed amendments 
to the constitution had been so vigorous 
that the morning session had extended half 
way through the afternoon. It being 3 
o'clock instead of noon when the recess was 
taken.
Mrs. Helen M. Barker, National Treasurer 
of the W. C. T. U., opened the afternoon 
session with prayer.
In Behalf of Kindergartens.
Mrs. Haidee Campbell of St. Louis read 
a strong argument in behalf of the establishing 
of kindergartens by the influence 
of the National Association of Colored Women. 
The discussion on the subject was led 
by Ms. Ida J. Jackson of Jefferson City, 
Mo., and by Mrs. Lucy E. Phillips of Jackson, 
Tenn.
Most of the speakers favored the establishment 
of kindergartens in the Southern 
States. As there seems to be little hope 
of such schools being started by the States 
themselves the only hope of getting them 
lies in the influence and contributions of 
the National Association  of Colored Women.
During the progress of the discussion 
pamphlets were offered for sale which contained 
a speech delivered by the President, 
Mrs. Terrell, and the proceeds of which 
were devoted to the kindergarten fund, that 
the delegates say they intend to start.
At the Evening Session.
Quinn Chapel was crowded to the doors 
long before 8 o'clock p. m., the hour at which 
the evening meeting of the convention 
opened. Many men were scattered through 
the audience, and on the platform were many 
colored men of national prominence, who 
have arrived in Chicago to attend the convention 
of the National Afro-American 
Council, which begins its meetings today at 
Bethel Church, Dearborn and Thirtieth 
streets.
Only women were allowed to appear on 
the program, the leading feature of which 
was a speech upon "One Phase of the Labor 
Question," by Mrs. Josephine B. Bruce, 
widow of B. K. Bruce, once United States 
Senator from Mississippi and Register of the 
Treasury at Washington. 
The greatest hindrance to the prosperity 
and success of the colored man in the 
South as well as in the North, in Mrs. Bruce's 
opinion, is the antagonism of the labor unions, 
which she ascribes to business jealousy 
and racial prejudice. But she thinks both 
of these strong factors in keeping down the 
colored man are being gradually overcome, 
particularly in the South.

[*Chicago Times-Herald Sun. Aug 20, 1899.*]

BANQUET ENDS IT 

Close of the Afro-American Council's 
First Conference.

PUBLIC ASKED FOR ITS AID.

Long Address Issued Setting Forth the 
Race's Hopes and What It Wants 
by Way of Justice.

   The dramatic incident of a woman arising 
in a banquet hall to defend her husband, 
whom she believed to have been unjustly attacked, 
was enacted last night at the dinner 
which closed the National Afro-American
Council's conference at the Sherman House.
Mrs. Booker T. Washington had been told
that her distinguished husband was the target 
of verbal denunciations at the afternoon
session of the council. When called upon to
answer to the toast "Character Building"
Mrs. Washington stated in the sweetest
manner possible that she felt the council 
had done well in its resolutions, excepting 
one, and that one referring to Booker T.
Washington.
  She averred that she knew the gentleman
and admired him a great deal and could not
indorse anything said derogatory to him.
There were creies of "No, no!" and of "Nothing 
was passed by the council against him,"
but the woman in her earnestness to defend 
her husband seemed not to hear these assertions. 
She finished this reference and continued 
with a characteristically able address.
The incident was closed later when President
Walters arose and contradicted the erroneous 
impression received by the eminent
colored woman.
   There were over 100 at the banquet. Mrs.
Ida B. Wells-Barnett was toastmistress.
Rev. R. C. Ransom gave the address of welcome, 
Edward E. Brown toasted "Our
Hosts," Mrs. Mary Church Terrell of Boston
spoke feelingly of "Our Cause," Professor
W.E.B. Du Bois talked of "Lights and Shadows 
of Race Life," President Walters talked 
of the future work of the society, Louis Post, 
editor of Public, said a few words, and
Charles Winterwood recited a clever sketch.
      Attack on B. T. Washington.
   The delegates to the convention of the
Afro-American Council spent a busy day
yesterday debating the recommendations reported 
by the committee on resolutions, and
an address to the people of the United States
setting forth the wrongs of the colored men
asking for reforms. The most exciting incident 
of the day was an attack on Booker T.
Washington, superintendent of the Industrial
School at Tuskegee, Ala., who for many years
past has been considered one of the leaders 
of the race. (Rev. R. C. Ransom of Chicago 
declared that Mr. Washington was a 
trimmer "who was afraid for political or
financial reasons to take part in the deliberations 
of the council.")
  Mr. Ransom's speech was made at a time 
when many of the delegates were absent
from the hall attending committee meetings, 
and as soon as the substance of the speech
became known resolutions were presented
and adopted almost without a dissenting 
voice which stated that (the condemnation of
the Tuskegee educator was not the sense of
the convention, and that it entirely repudiated 
the attack made on him by Mr. Ransom.)
         Report on Resolutions.
   The report of the committee on resolutions 
was made during the morning session, and
the following were adopted:
   The Afro-American council in convention assembled, 
recognizing the grave crisis which this
country has reached and desiring with all good
citizens, the highest welfare of this, our common
fatherland, recommends and indorses the following 
resolutions:
   Resolved 1. That it is the duty of the United
States government to see that the life and property
of its citizens are not taken from them without
due process of law, and to this end we shall
solemnly demand such national and constitutional
legislation as shall at least secure as great protection 
from mob violence to American citizens
as is to-day afforded citizens of foreign countries
resident here. We affirm that the widespread 
crime of lynching and intimidating persons accused 
of law-breaking without affording them
judge, jury or legal trial is an offense against
civilization, which demands punishment, and we
believe that it lies in the power of congress to
enact such repressive legislation as shall prevent
justice in American from becoming a by-word and 
a mockery.
   Resolved 2. That we deeply deplore the prevalence 
of crime in this land and especially of that
among our own people. Although we do not believe 
that crime among us is more usual than
might justly be expected under the circumstances, 
yet we recognize the necessity of making it far
less frequent than it is, and we heartily condemn
the thief, the despoiler of homes and the degrader
of womanhood, be he white or black, high or low.
    Resolved, 3. That the attitude of trades unions 
and nearly all forms of organized labor toward 
negro workingmen is both shortsighted and cruel.
The divine right to work ought not to be taken
from a people who have already had so many
rights stripped from them. We recommend that
a committee be appointed to wait upon the labor
leaders and the national industrial commission
and seek by every effort to bring about between
white and black laborers that spirit of fraternity
and co-operation which is to the best interests of
both.
   Resolved, 4. That we are heartily grieved that 
the President of the United States and those in
authority have not from time to time used their
high station to voice the best conscience of the
nation in regard to mob violence and the fair
treatment of justly deserving men. It is not right
that American citizens should be despoiled of life 
and liberty while the nation looks silently on, or
that soldiers who, with conspicuous bravery, offer
their lives for the country should have their promotion 
result in practical dismissal from the army.
   Resolved, 5. That we especially recommend
that negroes enter into business life and seek to
become factors in the industrial development of
America, and this council desires especially to
extend to mechanics, merchants and inventors all
possible aid and encouragement.
   Resolved, 6. That the determination of some persons 
to base the right of suffrage in the South on
race rather than on intelligence and property is
dangerous and un-American, and bound to bear
bitter fruit in the future; and we sincerely trust
that the good sense of the nation and the wisdom
of its officers of justice will prevent the further
progress of this fatal plan.
   Resolved, 7. That since we and our fathers and
our fathers' fathers were born on American soil,
have fought and bled for American liberty, and have
toiled for American wealth, it is just and proper
that we should enjoy the rights and share the
duties of American citizens; and we declare it to be
our unalterable resolution to strive by all power
and manly means to vindicate our privileges and
fulfill our duties right here in the land of our birth.
      Address to the Public.
   The morning session was continued until 
late in the afternoon, when a recess of a 
half-hour was taken to allow the hungry
delegates time to get something to eat.
Shortly after the delegates reassembled the
address of the council to the general public,
which had been prepared by a committee appointed 
for that purpose, was read. The
committee had spent considerable time in the 
careful preparation of the report, which was
adopted in its entirety by a unanimous vote. 
The report follows:
   The National Afro-American Council, in convention 
assembled, makes the following address to
the people of the United States:
   We point with pride to the growth and national
development of our country; to the place she 
occupies among the sisterhood of nations; to the
principles she proclaims for justice and fair play,
and to the doctrine she has announced that "governments 
derive their just powers from the consent
of the governed." We congratulate ourselves upon
the fact that the colored people have never done
anything to retard the progress of the United 
States, but have always defended her honor,
whether assailed by foes within or enemies from 
without; that the flag intrusted to our keeping
has never been allowed to trail in the dust; that in
all the wars in which this nation has been engaged, 
from Lexington to Santiago, the colored 
man has proved himself to be a good and valiant 
soldier and the equal of any man in arms, according 
to his opportunities.
   Through all the dark and cruel days of slavery
he never raised his hand against the government,
and since he became a citizen of the United States
he has proved himself to be worthy of the new
condition in which he finds himself. His progress
has no parallel in the history of the world. Coming 
out of slavery empty-handed, and ignorant
even of the alphabet of the language he attempted
to speak; hindered and hedged about by proscriptive 
laws and race prejudice, born of a 
previous condition, and opposed at every step by

the sharpest competition of an Anglo-Saxon
civilization, he has forged his way to the front
until to-day there are among us men who stand
the peers of any men in America. Thirty-six years 
ago he had nothing. Now he owns property
amounting to $940,000,000; he has 20,000 graduates 
from colleges and academies; he has raised $15,000,000 
for the education of his people; he raises almost 
the entire cotton and rice crops of the South, 
and the greater portion of the sugar cane; he has 
always been the substantial labor element at the 
South, and he is now doing very commendable
work in the factories at the North. In no instance 
can it be pointed out that the colored people of the 
United States have undertaken to interfere with 
the rights of other people, or to molest them in 
the enjoyment of their freedom. The colored
brother has observed the golden rule in that he 
concedes unto others what he maintains for himself;
he upholds the doctrine taught by the 
Declaration of Independence as he defends the 
faith delivered unto the saints. 
      Natural Protection Demanded.
   The Constitution of the United States is to him 
the bedrock upon which it is founded all true civilization, 
and he wants it enforced in its entirety. 
He seeks no special privileges and asks no favors. 
All he wants is fair play, and this he demands. 
He has placed himself in line with the best
thought of the present day, and he now assumes to 
speak for himself and to present his case to the 
American people. Having now complied with
every condition which our civilization imposes 
upon him, he asks that that civilization guarantee
to him immunity from outrage and wrong in the 
exercise of his rights as an American citizen and 
in the enjoyment of his freedom as a member of 
society. 
   So long as the rights of the humblest citizen 
are trampled upon with impunity, civilization fails
of its purpose, and the ends of government are 
subverted. Men do not respect institutions that 
are not potential in scope and execution. Paper
blockades are not recognized in the laws of nations, 
nor are they respected by the powers of the 
world. To receive recognition they must be effective 
in execution. In every walk of life men 
want the thing offered to be a perfect sample as a 
pattern of what is to follow. The white people 
of this country claim to be superior to the colored
brother, and the colored brother demands proof of 
that superiority. The first attribute of a superior
nature is its consideration for the weak and the 
humble. Did the slave-trader comply with that
condition when he separated husband and wife, 
violated the sanctity of the colored man's fireside, 
and tore the helpless babe from its mother's 
breast, and sold him for sordid gold to distant 
parts? What wrong had the black man done him?
What wrong does the black man do to him now?
   Another evidence of superiority is "to suffer
long and be patient." Had half the insults and 
outrages heaped upon the colored people of this 
country by the whites of a certain section been
visited by colored people of that section upon the 
whites the land had hardly been able to contain 
the graves of the dead. For 250 years the colored 
women of the South were outraged by the "best
blood" of that section, and the mixed blood in 
our population is largely due to that fact. They 
were then sowing the wind and and now they are 
"reaping the whirlwind." When their white men 
were away fighting to dethrone the Stars and 
Stripes and to erect in its stead the emblem of 
the southern confederacy, we had their women 
at our mercy, and could have slain and ruined 
them, but our superior nature asserted itself, and 
not a hair of their heads was harmed. On which 
side of the balance should superiority be placed?
      Advance in Education. 
   At the close of the war the colored man had no 
schools and colleges; to-day he has fully 200 institutions 
for higher education; the best colleges 
and universities are open to him, and the public
institutions in which he is permitted to be educated 
run high up into the thousands. He has 
demonstrated his capacity for education, and as 
a student in our northern colleges he has proved
himself second to none. In the senate of the 
United States, in the national house of representatives, 
on the bench and before the bar, in 
the chair as college professor, in the editorial 
sanctum, in the world as a man of letters, in the 
medical profession, in the industrial walks of
life, in the exacting and difficult department of 
surgery, in the arts and sciences and as a sweet
singer the colored man has shown that under like 
conditions he is capable of producing the same 
results as are produced by men of other races. 
Whenever the test has been made the colored man 
has never been shown to be the inferior. Men look 
with wonder and amazement at the genius and 
ingenuity displayed in the plan and construction 
of the Brooklyn bridge. They regard that bridge 
as the result of a wonderful piece of engineering,
but they forget that the first bridge spanning our 
navigable waters was constructed by a colored
engineer of the name of Deitz.
    Far be it from our purpose to claim for our race
in the United States perfection in any department
of life, and we condemn unsparingly every act of 
violence or outrage committed by any colored man 
against anybody whomsoever, be he black or be 
he white, and we pledge ourselves to do all in our
power, as citizens and electors in the United 
States, to bring before the bar of justice every 
perpetrator of wrong and outrage. We appeal to 
our people on the farms and the plantations of the 
South, or wherever they may be found, to so conduct 
themselves in their relations among one another 
and toward the other race, that they may
avoid even the appearance of evil doing, and having 
done everything to merit justice and fair 
treatment, we appeal unto the American people, 
North and South, and the God of Nations, to protect 
us in the exercise of our rights as citizens and 
members of society. 

[*Chicago Times Herald. 8-20-99.                     2d Sheet.*]

   The race problem in America is not with the 
colored people. The white people make the problem 
and they must solve it. Colored men do no 
lynching. To stop lynching the lynchers must be
brought to terms, and they are all white. They
need regeneration, and that work must be accomplished 
by some force or agency other than those
operating in our civilization at the present time.
The country is drifting into anarchy. Day by day
the lawless and barbarous spirit of the mob becomes 
more defiant. But yesterday, as it were, the
so-called best elements of Alexandria, Va. (the
mayor standing in their midst, without ordering
the arrest of even one man, though all, or at least
most of them, were well known to him), immolated
on the altar of race hatred, almost in front of the 
church where George Washington was wont to 
worship, and under the shadow of the capitol, a
helpless victim, because it was alleged that he
chased a little white girl. This act was not done
by the so-called rough elements in the back woods
of Georgia, or the rice swamps of South Carolina, 
or in the canebrakes of Louisiana, but in the 
ancient City of Alexandria, which borders on the 
national capital of the great American people. The
specter of that murdered man now hovers over that
city, and the inhabitants thereof are frightened by
the stir of a mouse. They sent to Richmond for
Winchesters, but Winchesters cannot shoot to
death nor lull to sleep the voice of outraged justice
crying from the ground.
      National, Not State, Concern.
   The lynch law is a national sin, and national
sins are punished by national calamities, because
there is no punishment for nations in the hereafter. 
How to put an end to mob violence is not
a theory which should concern the colored people
alone, but it is a condition which confronts the
American people, and sooner or later civilization 
will call upon them to meet it. The lynching of
five Italians in the State of Louisiana may bring
about international complications, and it certainly 
ought to cause the arrest and punishment of all
who were engaged in the perpetration of the crime.
Our government is known in international law as
an entity, a state, a sovereign power, and it cannot 
escape the responsibility of affording protection
to all persons within its borders on the plea that
the outrage was committed in a part of the Union,
and the rest of the Union is powerless to act. That
would pervert the mathematical law, and make the 
part greater than the whole. We have abiding confidence 
in the ability of the government to act
in every instance, and we call upon those in authority 
to exercise their power under the constitution 
for the protection of the life and the property
of everybody within the jurisdiction of the United
States.
   As American citizens we expect to receive the
same treatment that is accorded other citizens of
the republic, and we are willing to bear our share
of the responsibilities. We ask that colored men
in the military service of the United States be given
an equal chance with the whites to fight for their
country, and to share alike the emoluments of 
victory.
   We ask for the appointment of an industrial commission 
to inquire into the condition of the colored
people in the United States, that we be given a 
fair representation in the taking of the next census 
of the United States, not only in the clerical force
and among the minor employees in the office, but the 
board of supervisors, and among the special
agents; that at least one member of our race be
appointed on the board of commissioners to the
Paris exposition; that a bill be passed by the
next congress appropriating $20,000 as an indemnity
to the Baker family of Lake City, South Carolina,
and that the department of justice use all of the
resources at its command to bring the assassins of 
Postmaster Baker to justice; that congress be
asked to so amend the revised statutes of the
United States as to place beyond quibbles the
authority of the general government to act at
once in the case of lynchings.
    We further recommend that our people use all
honorable means at their disposal to cultivate a
friendly feeling among the races in America; that
patriotism be taught in each local Afro-American
council, and that good citizenship be the watchword 
in every home, and around every fireside
where colored people are assembled.
      Election of Officers.
   A large part of the time of the afternoon
session was taken up by the election of officers. 
The result follows:

President--BISHOP ALEXANDER WALTERS
of New Jersey.

Vice President--E.C. Morris of Arkansas.

Second vice president--CONGRESSMAN GEO.
H. WHITE of North Carolina.

Third vice president--BISHOP CLINTON of
South Carolina.

Fourth vice president--BISHOP HARRIS of
North Carolina.

Fifth vice president--BISHOP HOLSEY of
Georgia.

Sixth vice president--C. J. PERRY of Philadelphia.

Seventh vice president--T. T. FORTUNE of
New York.

Eighth vice president--REV. R. C. RANSOM of
Chicago.

Ninth vice president--BISHOP ARNETT of
Ohio.

Treasurer--J. W. THOMPSON of New York.

Financial secretary--J. E. BRUCE of New York.

Recording secretary--MRS. F. L. BARNETT of 
Chicago.

Corresponding secretary--MRS. JULIA LAYTON
MASON of Washington.

Assistant corresponding secretary--F. L. M'GEE
of Minnesota.

Chaplain--REV. A. J. CAREY of Chicago.

THE CHICAGO EVENING POST
TENTH YEAR.     NO.  3,578. 
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1899.

NEGROES IN COUNCIL 

Prominent Men Meet to Discus 
Problems of the Race.

MUCH ORATORY IS EXPECTED. 

Speeches of Welcome and Responses 
Are Followed by Reports at First 
Session in Bethel Church.

Educated colored men from all parts of 
the country assembled at Bethel A. M. E. 
Church to-day to consider the burdens of 
their race, to make protests against recent 
outrages upon negroes in the South and 
to determine upon a plan of action to uplift 
the colored man.

The most distinguished educators, clergymen, 
professional men and other intelligent 
representatives if the colored race answered 
during the roll call of the first annual convention 
of the National Afro- American 
Council. The topics referred to in the opening 
addresses of welcome and the responses 
included almost everything that was brought 
to public attention through happenings during 
the last year in the South. The several 
hundred delegates were aroused to wild enthusiasm 
by every bitter complain against 
oppression of and injuries to negroes in Dixie 
land. It was evident early that the convention 
will be marked by oratorical pyrotechnics, 
that "vials of wrath" will be spilled 
and that there will be lively debate.

The opening session was taken up with 
speeches of welcome and responses. Bishop 
Alexander Walters, a stalwart negro, as 
resident of the council, called the convention 
to order. The executive committee arranged 
the order of business, and the appointment 
of committees before the session 
was opened. In the opening prayer by 
Bishop C. R. Harris of Salisbury. N.C., the 
spirit which animates the council made itself 
evident. Because he is out of the city, Mayor 
Harrison, who was announced to deliver the 
address of welcome for the city, sent City 
Prosecuting Attorney Howard S. Taylor to 
represent him and deliver a speech. This 
address was followed by an address in behalf 
of the pulpit of the city Rev. A. J. Carey, 
pastor of Quinn Chapel, a speech on behalf 
of the colored people of the city by Attorney 
A. H. Roberts and responses by Bishop H. M. 
Turner of Atlanta Ga., Mrs. Josephine St. P. 
Ruffin of Boston, Rev. G. W. Lee of Washington, 
D. C., and George H. White of Tarboro, 
N.C.

President Walters Speaks.

President Alexander Walters of the council 
delivered an address, in which he recited the 
objects and the work of the council. The remaining 
time of the first session was spent in 
hearing reports from Secretary Ida B. Wells 
Barnett of this city and Treasurer John W. 
Thompson of Rochester, N. Y. and the appointment 
of standing convention committees.

Although the delegates were generous in 
bestowing their applause at every reference 
to the colored race question the statement by 
Prosecuting Attorney Taylor that if he were 
able he would "pluck a few feathers from the 
helmet of Theodore Roosevelt and bestow 
them upon the swarthy soldiers of the colored 
infantry who were the first to storm 
the heights of San Juan Hill" literally 
"brought down the house." The colored 
men joined in the applause which greeted 
this utterance, and three cheers were given 
for the colored regiments which took part in 
the Santiago sledge. Second to this in popularity 
were the bitter expressions from the 
speakers against race oppression, lynching 
and discrimination against the colored race 
and against the promotion of the colored veterans 
of the war upon the same footing with 
white veterans. Rev. A. J. Carey of Quinn 
Chapel provoked another storm of applause 
when he uttered the warning that "be it 
either the Republican of the Democratic 
party which fails to heed the protests of the 
colored race, that party will be remembered 
and punished on the ides of November , 1900."

Opening Religious Exercises.

After a few appropriate words by Bishop 
Walters in opening the convention of colored 
men Bishop C. R. Harris was introduced and 
requested to lead the opening religious exercise. 
He selected the thirty fourth chapter 
of Jeremiah, in which Zedekiah's captivity 
is foretold and the paragraph referring 
to the order "that every man shall let his 
manservant and every man his maidservant, 
being a Hebrew or a Hebrewess, go free" 
was dwelt upon with emphasis.  Bishop Harris 
concluded his prayer with the words: 

"Almighty God, who rulest not over the 
inhabitants of one country, but over the inhabitants 
of all countries, be present at this 
council. We are here assembled to take up 
the interests of the colored race and we pray 
that You will prevent disruption or confusion; 
that You will give us wisdom and aid 
to help the ignorant, poverty- stricken and 
oppressed of the race which we represent. 
We pray that they may be freed from the 
bonds of taskmasters and that after the 
shackles which have fettered the body the 
shackles which imprison the mind may also 
be torn asunder.  Eradicate, we pray, all 
that savors of prejudice in this country or 
that leads to the infliction of injury or outrage 
upon any race in this country."

Mr. Taylor's Speech.

Prosecuting Attorney Howard S. Taylor 
was then introduced as the person representative 
of Mayor Harrison, to deliver the 
address of welcome in his behalf. Mr. Taylor 
said in part: 

"I have been instructed to inform you that 
while you are the guests of our city there 
will be no white-capping or lynching. We 
welcome this council heartily. It is burdened 
with solemn work and a high purpose. 
When I returned from a four years' 
service in the civil war I thought we had 
liberated the negro and had unified the nation 
again. But from the many pin-hole 
views which I have subsequently obtained 
I doubt if we did accomplish in that war what 
we set out to perform. The colored race is 
still in bondage, as distressing as it was 
before the war. The history of this country 
recounts in deeds most eloquent the 
heroic effort of the colored man, shows the 
black countenance in the foreground of those 
who fought in the revolution, again in the 
drubbing which 'Old Hickory' administered 
to the red coats at New Orleans and again in 
the civil war." 

"I want to say there is one man who has 
received more plaudits for a little fighting 
than any other man I know. That is Theodore 
Roosevelt.  Were I the all-powerful adjuster 
of things I should not hesitate to pluck 
a few feathers from his helmet and place 
them upon the hats of the brave colored infantrymen 
who stormed the heights of San 
Juan and first planted Old Glory upon its 
crest."

This speech was interpolated with animated 
applause and shouts of approval in all 
parts of the auditorium. Following this address 
Rev. A. J. Carey, pastor of Quinn 
Chapel was introduced and delivered an address 
on behalf of the colored pulpit of the 
city. He also succeeded in rousing the delegates 
by touching upon the colored labor 
embroglio in this state, the killing of a postmaster 
and the discussion relative to the 
promotion of the colored veterans of the Spanish- American 
war.

Rev. Mr. Carey Heard.

Rev. Mr. Carey made a strong impression. 
He said: 
"We must have the assurance that behind 
this American flag there are 72,000,000 people 
ready to defend and insist upon the rights. 
If the United States is able to redeem the 
down-trodden Cuban from the tyrant foot 

and lift up the benighted inhabitants of the 
Island of Luzon, then it is able to give proof 
of its sincerity by giving freedom to its 
citizens regardless of class or creed, If it is 
the divine duty of the United States government 
to lift up the down- trodden Cubans, 
then how much more is it the duty of this 
government and its people to raise form the 
dust the colored race of this county.
"Furthermore, I wish to say that if this 
administration makes any discrimination in 
the promotion of veterans who fought in the 
recent war it will invite the criticism of the 
world. What is more, I warn it that such 
discrimination against the colored race will 
be remembered upon the ides of November, 
1900."


[*Chicago Record Aug. 15, 1899.*]
FROM MANY STATES.

COLORED WOMEN'S CONVENTION

First Biennial Meeting of the National 
Body Is Called to Order at 
Quinn Chapel--Temporary Officers 
Named--Banquet.

"We deliver to you the keys of a thousand 
happy homes and the love of 10,000 
generous hearts, and if 
you find therein anything 
pleasing to your 
soul and sight, we bid 
you take it and welcome." 
It was thus 
that Mrs. L. A. Davis 
closed the address of 
welcome that marked 
the formal opening of 
the first biennial convention 
of the Colored 
Women's National association 
in Quinn 
chapel last night. The 
church was crowded. 
Sprinkled here and 
there in the large audience 
were a number 
of white men and 
women.

MRS. L. A. DAVIS

Mrs. Booker T. Washington responded to 
the address of welcome on behalf of the national 
association. Mrs. Ellen M. Henrotin,  
Amanda Smith, the evangelist; Mrs. B. K. 
Bruce, Mrs. Lucy Thurman, Mrs. J. Silone 
Yates, and Miss Anna V. Tompkins occupied 
seats on the platform. Mrs. Henrotin spoke 
for the Chicago Women's club. Mrs. Mary 
Church Terrell delivered to the president's annual 
address.

Ambitions for Their Race.
After discussing the present status of colored 
women, Mrs. Terrell said:
"As individuals colored women have always been 
ambitious for their race. From the day when 
shackles first fell from 
their fettered limbs till 
to-night, as individuals, 
they have often single-handed 
and alone struggled 
against the most 
desperate and discouraging 
odds in order to secure 
for their loved ones 
and themselves that culture 
of the head and 
heart for which they hungered 
and thirsted so 
long in vain. But it 
dawned upon us finally 
that individuals working 
alone or scattered here 
and there in small companies 
might be ever so 
honest in purpose, so indefatigable 
in labor, so 
conscientious about 
methods, and so wise in 
projecting plans, but 
they would nevertheless accomplish little compared 
with the possible achievement of many individuals 
all banded strongly together throughout 
the land with heads and hearts fixed on the same 
high purpose and hands joined in united strength. 
If I were called upon to state in a word where I 
thought the association should do its most effective 
work I should say, unhesitatingly, in the home. The 
purification of the home must be our first consideration 
and care." 

MRS. J. SILONE TATES

Reception and Banquet Follow.
At the close of the night session a reception 
and banquet was held in the lecture 
room of the church. 
Addresses were made 
by Mrs. Bruce, Mrs. 
J. W. E. Bowen, Mrs. 
Fannie Barrier Williams 
and Mrs. Terrell. Mrs. A. J. Carey 
acted as toastmaster.
At the morning session Mrs. Booker T. 
Washington was made 
chairman, Mrs. C. A. 
Curl was made temporary 
secretary and 
Mrs. William Clipper 
and Mrs. L. C. Carter 
assistants. The following 
made brief addresses: 
Mrs. Minnie 
Roach, secretary 
of the Woman's Civic 
league of Chicago; 
Mrs. Fannie Taylor, secretary of the I. B. W. 
club; Mrs. Anna H. Jones of Kansas City; 
Mrs. B.K. Bruce of Indianapolis; Mrs. Corinne 
Brown, vice-president of the Cook 
Country league; Miss Mary McDowell of the 
University of Chicago settlement; Miss Elizabeth 
Farson, district superintendent of Chicago 
Schools. 
"The Best Methods of Establishing Schools 
of Domestic Science" was the subject of a 
discussion led by Miss Lillian Coleman of 
Omaha, Neb. Mrs. Booker T. Washington, 
Mrs. Agnes Moody of Chicago, Mrs. Ruffin 
of Boston, Mrs. Watson of Alabama 
and Mrs. S. J. Gray of Memphis, Tenn., participated 
in the discussion.

FANNIE BARRIER 
WILLIAMS

[*Chicago Inter Ocean
Inter Ocean
Aug 16 1899*]

4

TALK ABOUT COOKING

National Association of Colored 
Women in Session.


NEEDS OF THE GIRLS

Delegates Say They Should Be 
Taught to Boil Potatoes.

Speakers Engage in Discussion of 
Various Means of Benefiting 
the Negro Race.

  Subjects ranging from sculpture to how to 
boil potatoes were discussed yesterday in the 
first day's sessions of the convention of the 
National Association of Colored Women. 
After references to the possibilities of the 
negro race in the lines of art, music, and 
literature, the topic of domestic science was 
taken up and debated eagerly, sensibly, and 
wittily. In all that was said and done at the 
conference at Quinn chapel a spirit of dissatisfaction 
with the present and aspiration 
to future attainments was clearly noted. Anything 
that would benefit the race was applauded, 
and above all the leaders advised 
the dignity and necessity of labor.
  The second convention of the association, 
the first since 1897, opened at 10 o'clock with 
President Mrs. Mary Church Terrell in the 
chair. With her sat Mrs. Josephine B. Bruce 
of Indianapolis and Mrs. Lucy Thurman of 
Jackson, Mich., vice presidents; Miss Anna 
V. Tompkins, Washington, D.C., corresponding 
secretary; Mrs. C.A. Curl, Chicago, acting 
as recording secretary; Mrs. J.S. Yates, 
Kansas City, Mo., treasurer; Mrs. Jerome 
Jeffrey, Rochester, N.Y., national organizer, 
and Mrs. Booker T. Washington.

Names of Delegates 

  Delegates to the number of 131 occupied the 
body of the church, and the gallery was filled
by members of clubs not delegated and friends
and the public. Delegates from the societies
as follows were present: 
  Tuskegee Woman's club of Tuskegee, Ala.,
1; Ten to One club of Montgomery, Ala., 1;
Woman's club of Atlanta Ga., 2; Athens 
Woman's club of Athens, Ga., 1; Women's
Commercial Reciprocity club of Indianapolis,
1; Woman's Improvement club of Louisville, 
2; Phyllis Wheatley club of New Orleans, 7;
Afro-American Union of New Orleans, 1; 
Woman's Era club of Boston, 2; Willing 
Worker's club of Detroit, 1; Woman's federation 
of Ann Arbor, 1; Sojourner Truth club 
of Battle Creek, 1; Detroit Improvement club
of Detroit, 1; John Brown association of St. 
Paul, 1; Woman's Missionary club of St. 
Louis, 1; Wednesday Afternoon club of St. 
Louis, 1; Self-Culture club of St. Louis, 3;
Woman's club of St. Louis, 5; Orphans' Home
association of St. Louis, 1; Palmyra Willing
Workers of Palmyra, Mo., 2; Woman's league
of Kansas City, 2; Jefferson City Woman's 
club of Jefferson City, Mo., 2; Progress Study
club of Kansas City, 2; Woman's Loyal union 
of New York, 2; Woman's club of Rochester, 
1; Woman's club of Omaha, 1; Woman's Improvement 
club of Omaha, 1; F.E. W. Harper 
club of Pittsburg, 1; Woman's Minerva club 
of Cleveland, 4; Woman's league of Newport, 
2; Coterie Migratory of Memphis, 4; Colored
Orphans and Old Ladies' Home of Memphis, 
4; Woman's league of Jackson, Tenn., 2;
Phyllis Wheatley club of Nashville, 3; Woman's 
Mutual Improvement club of Knoxville, 

4; Nashville Relief club of Nashville, 1; Peoria 
Woman's club of Peoria, 3; J. R. 
Gaskins club of Evanston 2; Colored Woman's
federation of Chicago, 3; Progressive
circle of Chicago, 5; I. B. W. club of Chicago, 
5; Id[??] Woman's club of Chicago, 4; Woman's
conference of Chicago, 5; Wyman circle 
of Chicago, 3; Phyllis Wheatley club of Chicago, 
5; Woman's Civic club of Chicago, 23; 
national officers from different states, 18. 

Walls Draped with Flags 

  Streamers of national colors were hung
round the interior of the church, and palms
and potted plants adorned the rostrum. 
  In the morning nothing was attempted beyond 
the organization of the house. Mrs. 
Terrell made a few remarks, then the routine 
of attending to delegates and their credentials 
and committees was taken up. Reports from 
various societies were read in the afternoon by 
delegates as follows: Mrs. L. Butler, Evanston;
Mrs. A. S. Jones, Knoxville Tenn.; Mrs. 
Helen Abbott, St. Louis; Mrs. Mattie Sutton,
Pittsburg, Pa.; Mrs. W. G. Brown and Mrs. 
M. L. Harrison, St. Louis, and Mrs. Alice 
Summer, Nashville, Tenn. 
  A number of white women were noticed in 
the audience and were called to the platform. 
Mrs. Corinne Browe, chairman of the industrial
committee of the National Federation 
of Women and vice president of the League of 
Cook County Clubs, made a very determined 
address. She said in part: 
  "I would like to be a real gun in this meeting, 
to be permitted to get up and talk and 
work for anything I want done. For as 
there is no sex in science, there is no race in 
ability. If women were brought up as men
are they would be our leaders in politics, our 
great ones in finance, and out authorities in 
learning. Environment and training are
everything-everything. But we women are 
still suppliants. We must beg and plead and 
pray and use all our pretty winning ways to 
gain any favors. 

Better Legislation Needed. 

  "My advice to you is to do as we are doing--
seek to produce better legislation, help to 
knock down and stamp out all artificial constraints
that govern us, that we may be free. 
Take back this message with you, too: That
you think of the condition of your children. 
Watch those infernal factories being introduced 
into the South, and see to it that your 
children do not enter them while too young. 
These shops are the most soul-deadening 
things that exist."
  Mrs. McDowell of the University of Chicago 
settlement house spoke next, followed by 
Miss Elizabeth M. Farson, assistant superintendent 
of schools. Miss Farson, after saying 
that the race question and woman's question were
both dead, said:
   "Environment is a factor, but I believe
heredity is a greater one, and one of advantage 
to the negro people. It is always conceded 
that colored children have a talent for 
music, and I have found they have as ready 
and obvious a talent for drawing.  Every 
one of the arts of poetry, sculpture, architecture, 
literature, and music comes to them
by nature.  You know of Paul Dunbar and 
Henry Turner, and Mrs. Bruce's son has recently 
won the Pasteur medal at Harvard."
  A paper read by Mrs. S.L. Coleman of 
Omaha on "The Best Methods of Establishing 
Schools of Domestic Science" brought
the audience down to the consideration of the 
most common work-day topics. Many thought 
that the colored women of the South had 
fallen behind in their knowledge of household 
economy and management.

Mrs. Washington Speaks

  Mrs. Washington said: "Few know anything 
of housework, and dislike to learn.
They think they will make ladies of the girls 
by protecting them from labor.  Schools
must supplement training in the home."  She 
wore a tiny frying pan over her official badge.
  Another voice from the South evoked such 
cheers from the audience that the president 
thought it necessary to quiet it.  It was Mrs. 
S.J. Gray of Memphis.  She said: "Our 
girls want to learn how to polish a stove, 
scrub an oilcloth, when to put potatoes into 
the water to boil.  Let them learn these 
things thoroughly and they will have no difficulty 
in securing positions.  And let them 
stop being ashamed of labor; let them stop
taking a valise down town so that people 
will not know they are going for sausage and
cabbages."
    The afternoon session adjourned early to enable all to attend the early evening
conference.

  The evening session was attended by 3,000 
persons, the great majority of whom were
colored. Prosecutor Howard S. Taylor, who 
was to deliver the address of welcome in
place of Mayor Harrison, was compelled to 
be absent, and the first address of the evening 
was made by Mrs. L.A. Davis of Chicago, 
who gave the greeting of the Colored Women's 
clubs of Illinois.
  Mrs. Connie E. Curl, who was to deliver 
the next address was absent.  Mrs. Booker 
T. Washington spoke of the work that had 
been accomplished by the National Association
of Colored Women and reviewed its history.  
Miss Blanche Woolrich played an instrumental
solo.  Mrs. Ellen H. Henrotin of 
Chicago spoke of the general movement in all 
classes of American women to form clubs and 
the relation they had to each other.
  Mrs. Mary Church Terrill, president of the 
National Association of Colored Women, delivered 
the closing address.  She spoke of 
the work which the women's clubs had done
and of the vast work that lay before them.
  Just before the close of the meeting Mrs. 
Terrill was informed that Mrs. Amanda 
Smith, the great colored evangelist, was 
present.  Mrs. Smith was invited to come 
forward and make a few remarks, but she 
asked the president's permission to sing instead.  
She sang a little poem which she had 
composed to a familiar camp-meeting tune. 
The audience applauded her heartily.

[*Chicago Times Herald Aug. 14, 1899.*]
 
 TO LIFE HER RACE

Mission of the Negro Woman
  Pointed Out at All Souls'

SERMON BY MRS. WILLIAMS.

Other Delegates to the National Association
of Colored Women Heard in City Pulpits.

  Owing to the convention of the National 
Association of Colored Women, which commences
in Chicago to-day, several of the 
pulpits throughout the city were occupied 
by members of this organization.  Mrs. Fannie 
Barrier Williams addressed a big congregation 
in Dr. Jenkin Lloyd Jones' church 
- All Souls' Langley avenue and Oakwood 
boulevard - on "Elements of Strength in the 
Negro," in which she said, among other 
things:
  Beyond and beneath the prejudices and hatreds 
engendered by race associations, and in spite of 
every fear, every insulting doubt and savage 
threat, the threads of a race vitality are everywhere
and in many ways silently weaving together a race 
unity and a race character out of the fragments
left by the destroying forces of American slavery.
   The dull senses of the race that has received the 
blows and endured the oppression of the stronger
race without resentment are gradually being quickened 
into conscious power and a new sense of race
responsibility.
  There is a sense of confidence and pride in the 
idea of a strong and self-sufficient race, but the 
exercise of this strength is not always virtuous and 
to be emulated.  We regard it as cowardly for a 
strong man to attack or abuse a weak man, but 
when a like conduct occurs between a stronger and 
a weaker race we call it destiny, and  our conscience 
is satisfied.

Great in Its Sufferings.

   The negro race is the weakest in our country, but 
in its persecutions and sufferings it is correspondingly
greatest.
  In our ethical way of looking at things, there is 
a universal judgment that when the negro as a 
race gets more money, more property and education 
it will receive better treatment at the hands 
of the good Christian people of the country.
  In one part of our country this view of the race 
problem is carried to the point of shocking oppressions, 
and in justification of these wrongs they 
plead Anglo-Saxon superiority.  "Might makes 
right" is here exemplified in a way and to an extent 
that contradicts all of or pretensions of national 
goodness.
  In this spirit one hundred men will run down 
and murder a single man of the weaker race for the 
purpose of exhibiting race superiority.
  Can there be no comity of relation between races 
of different degrees of strength?  Must one race 
glut itself in the life and blood of another simply 
because it can?  Is the ennobling sentiment "noblesse 
oblige" applicable only to individuals?
  Whatever our country may boast of in the way 
of being able to teach to the family of nations 
great principles of rights and wrongs in government, 
it certainly has contributed nothing noble 
or ethical in its relationship to other races. The 
act of freeing a whole race from bondage becomes 
less and less a virtue when as freemen they are 
made to suffer because of the inevitable heritage 
from bondaged conditions.
  Strength for protection, new forces for resistance 
to unmerited oppression is the need of the colored 
race in this country.  Strength is the only thing 
worthy of respect by races and nations.
  It is necessary and important to ask:  Is the 
negro gaining strength from his adversity? Are 
these recurring manifestations of race hatred indications 
that his gradually increasing strength 
is being felt and resisted? By steady increment 
there is certainly being built up a race strength 
among the colored people. The power that acquires 
estates, that amasses property, that begins 
to spell capital out of its earnings is the very 
power that begets the spirit and metal for self-
protection.

  "I will not submit to it" has not yet been uttered 
by the race in all these years of its patient 
endurance, but that utterance is in process of 
formation, and its faint echoes are becoming clearer 
by slow reaches of gain in everything that gives 
courage and vitality to the spirit of man.  Has 
he a home?  Has he family responsibilities? Has 
he a reputation?  Is he conscious of his citizen 
rights? Has he these fundamental things in the 
hard, fast grip of conviction that stirs the whole 
man?  If he has he shall have peace with his neighbors.

Race Begins to Initiate.

  It means a great deal to a race to be able to discipline 
itself to initiate its own reforms and study 
its own problems.  It also means a great deal when 
scholarly men and women -men and women of 
real achievements-are no longer regarded as exceptions 
and excite no surprise. The race begins 
to take its character from the increasing number 
and influence of such superior personalities.  In 
the next twenty-five years, we believe, the progress 
of the race will be accelerated by greater opportunities 
and incentives for larger achievements.  
Booker T. Washington is fairly typical of the quality 
of men that are being developed out of the peculiar 
conditions and needs of the colored race.  
The poet Dunbar is another interesting illustration
of what is here meant.  No one has sung the songs 
of his race so completely.  He knows the heart 
of his race and English speaking people have 
ranked him as a sort of laureate of his race.
  Then, again, the constructive work that must be 
done to enlarge, define and make efficient his race 
of workers there awaits the men and women who 
are now everywhere being trained and disciplined 
for their tasks.  Thus the vision enlarges to the 
hearts and souls of men and women capable of 
large things.  Thus to the men whose persistent
toil has enriched the possessions of their race will 
be added the constructive wisdom from which will 
issue strength and a degree of mastery.  The problems 
of adequate employment to the competent of 
both sexes, and other problems that we must settle, 
and settle finally for ourselves, are certain of a 
full and adequate solution.
  In this country "knowledge is power," and ability 
to grapple with and surmount difficulties is respected.

Women in the Social Movement.

  But there is now a social movement going on 
within the race that is significant of far-reaching 
results.  Those who have been capable of the highest 
have become conscious of race responsibility 
for the social well-being of the great masses
that cannot emancipate themselves.  For the first time 
colored men and women have become interested in 
sociology. I do not use this word so much in an 
academic sense, but in the more practical sense of 
applying principles and practical efforts to the 
near and hard conditions that beset them.  Within 
the past few years the passion for politics, and all 
the mere outward display of citizenship, has been 
gradually giving way to the more serious concerns 
of the social status of the unimproved masses.  It 
is perhaps not an exaggeration to say that the 
women of the race are responsible for this new
interest awakened in social conditions. It is creditable 
to their womanly sensitiveness, that they 
have been unable to remain indifferent and inactive 
to the efforts made to better their worth and 
character.  Following in the wake of the more 
progressive women of other races, colored women 
have organized  clubs and leagues in every community 
where there is a nucleus of intelligence 
and interest, for the purpose of studying and improving 
social conditions.  About 300 of these clubs 
have been organized within the last two years.  
This club movement has done more to develop a 
race conscience and a race shame than any other 
single agency.  These clubs have progressed so far 
in popular interest and favor because of their efficiency
as social improvement agencies that they 
have federated into a national association of permanent
force and leading.  The third national convention 
of the women whose hearts and souls are 
pledged to the work of social righteousness is already
in our city and will give an account of itself 
to-morrow.
  Not the least interesting effect of this social 
movement is the incentive to development of strong 
and interesting characters among these women.  
There is everything in the character and extent 
of these attempted reforms to stir the hearts and
souls of women capable of large achievements.  
It is tasks and duties of this kind that will develop 
ideal types of womanhood in the race like Frances 
Willard, Jane Addams, and others who found their
 inspiration and splendid moral enthusiasm in like
social reforms. Great characters of the negro race 
are to be made out of the sacrifices, strenuous 
spirit and the courage of initiative that will be 
needed to overcome the prejudices and win the 
confidence of the nation.

Developing Superior Individuals.

  Men and women of conspicuous usefulness and 
leadership have been few, chiefly because conditions 
have not bred them. In the reform work, the 
colored people are now exhibiting that increase 
of strength that will not only add to the forces 
of their own protection but will create the very 
conditions within the race out of which are to be 
born and developed characters of commanding 
superiority.  As race interests enlarge, as race 
pride deepens, as race resources are created and 
enriched, the great actors will appear for the 
future drama of race life in this country. The 
nightmare of social equality will cease to conjure 
up the spirit of fear in the presence of a race 
social independence.  The awful specter of negro 
domination will give way to recognition of achievements 
that mean responsible power.  In short, the 
colored race, in its increase of possessions, in is 
enlarging intelligence, in its own social development, 
is gaining a basis for its right to all those e
qualities of liberty in this country that complete 
and round out the citizenship of a people.
   In times of war as in peace the colored people 
are ready to follow the flag to any place and for 
any cause that is American. All that they know 
of good or bad has been taught to them by the 
American people. They do not exaggerate in 

their lives either the virtues or vices of American 
civilization.  We have saints and sinners 
of the same kind and degree that are to be found in 
the best churches and strongest jails of the white 
race. They have always served and never fought 
the American people.  The burden of their plea 
has always been more liberty - opportunity- more 
opportunity, but never hatred, never treason. The  
only sense in which their citizenship is a problem 
in this country is in the unwillingness of the dominant 
races to allow them the full exercise of their citizenship rights.

Solution of the Race Problem.

  The very instant the American people cease their 
unreasoning restrictions, that very instant will 
there cease to be a race problem.  This problem 
is simply a lack of tolerance of an all-possessing 
and all-powerful race toward a weaker and anxiously
struggling race.  But when the white race 
in the South denies us the right to vote and the 
white race in the North denies us the right to 
work, the chances for normal progress are very 
desperate.
  The spirit of mastery still controls the heart
and head of the white people of the South, and 
they have not yet learned the full meaning of 
freedom as applied to the dark race among them.  
The white people of the North still believe in 
liberty, but not privileges, for the colored race. 
Men and women in the North will generously give 
money by the thousands for the education and refinement 
of young men and women of the South, 
and will pray long and loud for their conversion, 
but will deny them the privilege to use their 
acquired education in the higher occupations.  
There are few things more exasperating, and in 
many cases more pathetic, than the thousands of 
bright young men and women lured on in hope 
and confidence by their education gained by northern philanthropy, 
to find themselves scorned at 
every threshold where employment is asked. What 
strange paradox is this!
    Character, culture and talents - these are the 
Anglo-Saxon standards of fitness for the higher 
tasks of life and living.  In one breath we are 
told that ignorance is our sole misfortune, in the 
next that culture, character and talent are not 
evidences of our fitness.  Thus the standards 
toward which so many have been lifted and the 
promises and pretensions in which they have so
implicitly trusted have proved a delusion and a 
snare.  It is not a fact that a bookkeeper, an accountant, 
a stenographer or clerk is employed on 
account of merit, but rather on account of blood 
and merit.
  Now these things are among the discouragements 
and difficulties through which the colored race 
must gain the elements of strength that shall 
eventually change the heart of the American people 
toward them.

Talked of Mrs. Stowe.

  Other pulpits were filled as follows:  Miss 
Anna Jones at Grace Presbyterian, Miss 
Blanche K. Bruce at Quinn Chapel, Mrs. J.
Silene Yates at Olivet Baptist.  Mrs. Mary 
Church Terrell of Washington, D.C., president 
of the national association, occupied the 
pulpit of Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, 
Dearborn and Thirtieth streets, last night,
making an address on "Harriet Beecher
Stowe," in which she said:
  Against the institution of slavery, which snatched 
from men the rights that are their by inheritance, 
theirs because created in the image of God, Harriet 
Beecher Stowe dared raise her voice.  So 
powerful, so searching was its tone that it penetrated
the hearts, touched the conscience and rang 
in the ears of men, till they could endure the reproach 
no longer.  How dubious were her chances
of success, how slight the hope of crippling an institution 
in which the wealth, both of America and 
England, was interested, no one knew better than 
Harriet Beecher Stowe.  But so great was her faith 
in divine justice, so overpowering was hr love of 
mankind, so intense was her hatred of wrong that 
she could no more have resisted the impulse of 
making this plea for the oppressed than she could 
have turned a deaf ear to the cry of a helpless, suffering 
child.
  But look where she would, discouragement 
stared her in the face. There was no state, no section 
which was absolutely free form the contamination 
of this traffic in human souls.  Wherever 
she turned the serpent had left its trail, till even the 
church of God was poisoned with its sting.  In the 
North, which professed abhorrence of slavery and 
sympathy with the slave, poor fugitives were 
hunted down and thrust back into bondage by law. 
Even the Christian church uttered no protest 
against enactments which made it a crime to teach 
men and women to read the word of God.  In the 
pulpit ministers of the gospel defended an institution 
which could with impunity separate man from 
wife, tear mother from child and whip to death
servants whom angry masters cared to destroy.

[*Chicago Times Herald Aug 14, 1899*]           [*2d Sheet*]
What She Broke Down.
Against this system of legalized prostitution, 
whose largest profits were made from the sale of
beautiful colored girls for purposes too vile to mention, 
these servants of the Most High refused to 
raise their voice.  Nay, even more, so low was
the banner of Christ trailed in the dust that there
were ministers who would not pray in their pulpits
for slaves.  So dead was the conscience, so
hard was the heart, so corrupt the morals of the 
country when Harriet Beecher Stowe shook the
battlements of sin.
Subjected to the cold test of loge, any effort to
wash this stain from the country's honor was
futile and wild.  To a soul less courageous, less
responsive to the call of duty, less touched by the 
sorrows of his fellow men that was this great
hearted Christian woman it would indeed have
been madness to dream of righting this prodigious
wrong.  But to Harriet Beecher Stowe,
filled as she was with sublime trust in God, animated
by a strong desire to fulfill the mission to
which she felt divinely called, obedience to the
dictates of a conscience was the most natural 
thing in the world.  And so, with the determination
to open the eyes of the blind, and arouse 
the conscience of those who were indifferent to the
woes and degradation of the slave, she seized
her pen in defense of human rights.  In all her
life, she conscientiously filled, devoted to the call of
duty, so abundantly filled with heroism and love,
nothing shows more forcibly the intrepid spirit
and the exalted character of Harriet Beecher
Stowe than the terrible earnestness and fearlessness
with which slavery was attacked.
She was not only an author and philanthropist,
but a woman in the completed sense of that holy
term.  Not only was she gifted with genius, but
she was blessed with the charity "which suffereth
long and is kind," the charity "that vaunteth
not itself, and is not puffed up-that rejoices
not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth,"
the charity "that beareth all things, believeth all
things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
Of the marvel she wrought in her work for the 
emansipation of the slave there can be but one
verdict, one voice, said one of the profoundest
thinkers of the day.  "While no one should underestimate
the great services of men like Garrison, 
Phillips, Parker and Sumner, who cast their
fortunes with their effort to free the slave, it is
the truth to say that all their efforts were as a
drop in the bucket compared with the stir and
power in "Uncle Tom's Cabin."  Amid the feast
of slavery and the orgies of sin, like the handwriting
on the wall it appeared, so that wickedness
trembled and vice was afraid.


[*Chicago Chronicle*]
August 15, 1899
RACE PROBLEM TAKEN UP.

National Association of Colored 
Women Meets in Chicago.

Mrs. Terrell of Washington Presides 
at Four Days' Sessions

Convention Listens to Reports 
From Leading Clubs.

Miss McDowell and Miss Farson Address 
the Gathering

America's brightest colored women met in
Chicago yesterday and began a four days'
discussion of questions of vast importance
to their race and to hasten the solution of 
the perplexion problem involving the present
and future position of the negro in the world 
of sociology.
Mrs. Mary Church Terrell of Washington, 
D.C., with almost classic features, stood in
graceful pose on the platform at Quinn
chapel and convoked the second meeting of
the National Association of Colored Women
for the morning session.  The president of
the wide-reaching organization was attired 
in white and made a brief address, in which
she congratulated the assembled delegates
on the assembling of their body after a separation
of three years.

All the Officers Present.
Mrs. Terrell's colleagues on the board of
officers were grouped about her on the platform.
They are:
First vice president-Mrs. Josephine B. Bruce of
Indianapolis.
Second vice president-Mrs. Lucy Thurman of 
Jacksonville, Mich.
Treasurer-Mrs. Josephine S. Yates of Kansas
City, Mo.
Corresponding secretary-Miss Anna V. Thompkins
of Washington.
Recording secretary-Mrs. Christine S. Smith of
Nashville, Tenn.
National organizer- Mrs. Jerome Jeffrey of 
Rochester, N.Y.
Chairman of executive committee-Mrs. Booker
T. Washington of Tuskogee, Ala.
Chairman of the ways and means committee-Mrs. Libbie Anthony.

Many Delegates and Spectators.
The main body of the chapel was two-thirds 
filled with the delegates, almost all
the states and several of the territories being
represented.
In the balconies were members of the
various colored women's clubs of Chicago.
Scattered among the spectators were many
men who have come to attend the national
convention of the Afro-American Council 
of Colored Men that meets in Bethel chapel,
at Dearborn and Thirtieth streets, tomorrow.

Reports and Papers Heard.
Reports from a large number of societies
were read by their delegates to the convention.
Then a paper was present by Mrs.
S. Lillian Coleman of Omaha, Neb., upon the
"Best Methods of Establishing Schools of
Domestic Science."
The reading of reports from the visiting
delegations was the order at the afternoon
session.

Chicago Women Speak
Mrs. Fannie Taylor of the I.B.W. club
of Chicago told how that body of colored
women called Governor Tanner to account
for terming the negro miners at the Pana
"scalawags and scoundrels."  Mrs. Minnie 
Roach of the Women's Civic league of Chicago
and Mrs. L.D. Gordon of the Ideal 
Women's club also read reports.
One of the speakers, Mrs. Corrinne Brown
of Chicago, urged "white and colored women
to work shoulder to shoulder for the common
purpose of abolishing caste" and to
save children from the sweat-shop system 
in the south.

Miss McDowell There.
Miss McDowell of the University of Chicago
settlement was escorted to the platform,
where she startled the convention by
announcing that she was "a delegate."  Miss
Elizabeth M. Farson, assistant superintendent 
of schools of Chicago, was invited to
speak and expressed the opinion that colored
children have by heredity the greater
musical ability.
Sessions of the association will be held
morning, afternoon and evening.  Fanny
Barrier Williams is president of the local
association of the colored women's clubs,
which is entertaining the convention.


[*Chicago Record 8-15-99*]
Convention of Colored Women.
The first biennial convention of the National
Association of Colored Women will
begin in this city to-day.  The outlook for
representation from all the states is very
good, and the occasion promises to be one of
distinct benefit to the participants and to
the public generally.  The convention represents 
the membership of more than 300 colored
women's clubs in different parts of the
United States, and its purpose is to discuss 
and devise means of elevating and bettering
the condition of colored women everywhere.
This convention indicates that the colored
people are earnestly at work along progressive
lines.  The intelligent co-operation which
they give in matters of education and good
government is coming more and more to be
recognized as a force of much potency.
The colored people have leaders whom all
the people look for enlightenment on great
questions.  They have colleges and other
powerful agencies for the promotion of culture
and the teaching of good morals.  The 
gathering now in Chicago is worthy of the 
highest praise.  Its power and influence
should be great.

[*Colored American, Washington D.C. Aug. 1899*]
THE WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION

A Season of Alternating Light and Shadow, 
Quiet and Storm, Love and Passion. 

The Brilliant Mrs. Mary Church Terrell
Again Elected President - Clubs and 
Societies Represented - The Official 
Roster - Notable Scenes and Incidents - 
Good Work Done and a Pleasing 
Impression Left behind. 

Chicago, Il., Special. - Light and 
shadow, quiet and storm, sweetness 
and bitterness, love and passion - these 
all had their turn at the meeting of 
the National Association of Colored 
Women, which held its first biennial 
session at Quinn Chapel, in this city, 
last Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 
August 14, 15, 16. But withal, the Association
conducted its affairs with 
such decency and disposed of its business 
with such order and dignity, that 
it leaves behind it the most pleasant 
impression of its worth and character, 
and made the summer of 1899 one long 
to be remembered in Chicago.
 
Many surprises were in store for 
those interested. The greatest of these 
was the decision that Mrs. Mary 
Church Terrell was eligible for reelection 
to the presidency. There was 
really no "decision" to that effect; but 
at the right time, after an amendment 

MARY CHURCH TERRELL.
______________________________________________________
to change the constitutional limitations
on office holding - and everybody supposed 
that the introduction of that 
amendment admitted Mrs. Terrell's 
ineligibility - and after four other candidates 
had been named, Mrs. Terrell's
name was presented, and she got 107 of 
the 139 votes cast.

Another surprise was the splendid
order and dignity that characterized
the delib rations of this body. While
no one claimed that any system of parliamentary 
law was faithfully followed--
in fact, I never once heard Roberts'
Rules referred to, "and points of order"
were of very infrequent occurrence--
still, the underlying principle of addressing 
the chair, with courtesy, and
abiding by its decisions was adhered
to.

The most pleasant surprise to a large
number of us northerners was the appearance 
of the splendid array of cultured 
and intelligent women who came out
of the Southland to meet their sisters 
and to discuss questions of common
interest. Among them I might mention 
Mrs. J. Silone Yates, Mrs. L. C.
Anthony, Mrs. Ida Joyce Jackson,
Mrs. Haidee Campbell, Miss Josie E.
Holmes, Mrs. F. G. Snelson, Miss Mary
A. Lynch and Miss Mattie Davis.

There were 144 delegates in the convention, 
representing clubs in sixteen
different states. They were accredited
as follows:

Tuskegee Woman's club, of Tuskegee,
Ala., 1; Ten to One club of Montgomery, Ala. 
1; Woman's club, of Atlanta,
Ga., 2; Athens Woman's Club, of Athens, Ga., 
1; Woman's Commercial Reciprocity 
club, of Indianapolis, 1;
_______________________________________________

MRS. B.T. WASHINGTON.

Woman's Improvement club, of Louisville,
2; Phyllis Wheatly club, of New Orleans, 7; 
Afro-American union, of New
Orleans, 1; Woman's Era club, of Boston 2; 
Willing Workers' club, of Detroit, 
1; Woman's federation, of Ann
Arbor, 1; Sojourner Truth club, of Detroit,
1; John Brown association, of St.
Paul, Woman's Missionary club, of St.
Louis, 1; Wednesday Afternoon club, of
St. Louis, 1; Self Culture club, of St.
Louis, 3; Woman's club, of St. Louis, 5;
Orphans' Home association, of St
Louis, 1; Palmyra Willing Workers, of
Palmyra, Mo., 2; Woman's league, of
Kansas City, 2; Jefferson City Woman's 
_______________________________________________
club, of Jefferson City, Mo , 2; Progress
Study club, of Kansas City, 2; Woman's 
Loyal union, of New York, 2; Woman's
club, of Rochester, 1; Woman's club, of
Omaha, 1; Woman's Improvement club,
of Omaha, 1; F. E. W. Harper club, of
Pittsburg, 1; Woman's Minerva club, of
Cleveland, 4; Woman's league, of New
port, 2; Coterie Migratory of Memphis,
4; Colored Orphans and Old Ladies
Home of Memphis, 4; Woman's league,
of Jackson, Tenn., 2; Phyllis Wheatley
club, of Nashville, 3; Woman's Mutual 
Improvement club, of Knoxville, 4;
Nashville Relief club, of Nashville, 1;
Peoria Woman's club, of Peoria, 3; J.
R. Gaskins club, of Evanston, 2; Colored 
Woman's federation, of Chicago,

MRS. B. K. BRUCE.

3; Progressive circle, of Chicago, 5; l.
B. W. club, of Chicago, 5; Ideal Woman's
club, of Chicago, 4; Woman's conference, 
of Chicago, 5; Wyman circle, of
Chicago, 3; Phyllis Wheatly club, of
Chicago, 5; Woman's Civic club, of
Chicago, 23; national officers from different 
states, 18.

The Illinois delegation numbered
fifty eight, and was composed of the
best known club women in town.
Among the most active of them were
Mrs. Emma S. Ransom, Mrs. L. A.
Davis, Mrs. F. B. Williams, Mrs. Agnes
Moody, Mrs. Albert Hall, Mrs. Ida
McClellan Lewis, and Mrs. Connie C.
Curl, the last of whom was elected recording 
secretary in recognition of the
work of the Illinois women. Mrs. Mary
Church Terrell and Miss Anna V.
Tompkins were the only delegates
from Washington, D C in the convention. 
Among the more prominent
delegates, and not mentioned above
were Mrs. Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin,
Miss Elizabeth C. Carter, Mrs. Lucy
Thurman Jackson, Mrs. Rosa Bowser
Branche, Mrs. S. Lillian Coleman,
Mrs. Booker T. Washington, Mrs.
Josephine B. Bruce, Mrs. Lucy E.
Phillips, Miss Margaret Kinloch, Mrs.
T. J. Lyles, and Mrs. R Jerome Jeffrey. 
Many pleasant incidents occurred. 
Among these was the appearance 
of Mrs. Amanda Smith, the


Colored American Aug. 1899. 2d Sheet.

noted evangelist, who spoke and sang
The appearance of Booker T Washington, 
Edward E. Brown, Bishop H.
M. Turner, and Bishop Alexander
Walters, who were welcomed to the
platform, otherwise forbidden ground
for the feet of man. A solo by our local
baritone, Mr. P. T. Tinsley, made an
impression the delegates will not soon
forget. The very large crowds that attended 
every session of the convention,
and listened with unfeigned interest to
its proceedings, was another source of
gratification. The many banquets
given in honor of the delegates, as
well as the luncheon served free each
day by the ladies of Quinn Chapel,
were bits of hospitality that the delegates
______________________________________________
MRS. J. SILONE YATES.

were not slow to appreciate. The
most tumultuous scenes enacted, and
those that I characterized as "storm"
and "passion," occurred during the
balloting for a recording secretary,
when Miss Elizabeth C. Carter, of New
Bedford, Mass., who, after being defeated, 
was tendered the office of assistant 
recording secretary, dramatically, 
but very firmly declined, saying
that she would accept no office
"created" to palliate her, and threatened 
that the whole New England
delegation, representing 1,000 women,
would withdraw. The president poured
the oil of flattery upon Miss Carter's
head to overflowing, but it failed to
soothe her ruffled spirits; nor did it
still the tempest of her indignation. It
remains to be seen whether recognizing
the great northwest with an office will
alienate the New England contingent
from the national organization. Bitterness
crept into the convention when
Mrs. Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, the
gray-haired mother of the association,
burning with resentment at what she
considered the high-handed methods
used by Mrs. Terrell's friends to defeat

her and others for the presidency,
charged Mrs. Terrell with treachery,
duplicity, and unfaithfulness to promises. 
This denunciation was met with
hisses, at the sound of which Mrs
Waterloo B. Snelson, a fiery little 
woman from the classic town of
Athens, Ga., poured out such a torrent
of consuming scorn and withering
chastisement that the hissers felt disgraced
in their own sight. Among the
most important papers presented were:
"Social Necessity of an Equal Moral
Standard for Men and Women," by J
Silone Yates, of Kansas City, Mo., "One
Phase of the Labor Question," by Mrs
Josephine B. Bruce, of Indianapoli-;
"Kindergarten Work," by Mrs. Haidee
Campbell, of St. Louis, Mo., which
was discussed by Mrs. Ida Joyce Jackson,
of Jefferson City, Mo., and Mrs.
Lucy E. Phillips, of Jackson, Miss.,
"Convict Lease System," by Miss Josie
E Holmes, of Atlanta, Ga., "Practical
Club Work," by Miss Elizabeth C.
Carter, of New Bedford, Mass., and the
paper by Mrs. Emma S. Ransom, of
Chicago on "The Future Club Work
of Our Women." The address of welcome, 
made by Mrs. L. A. Davis, of 
this city, was a splendid effort, and
gave instant proof early in the program
that many good things were in the store
for constant visitors. Of much interest
were the reports read from the different 
clubs. Much matter of great interest 
was given, but space forbids
further mention now.

The attention given the doings of the 
convention by our local papers is not 
to be overlooked. Full accounts, for the
most part accurate, with cuts, were
given from day today. Mrs. T. J.
Lyles, of St. Paul, Minn. who is president 
of the John Brown Monument Association, 
was active in the convention 
in the interest of her monument
scheme. They have already raised
nearly six thousand of the ten thousand 
dollars to be paid for the statue,
which they hope to erect in one of the 
parks of this city. The sculptor is the
treasurer.

After all, the election of officers did not
turn out to be the "principal business"
in hand. After it was all over, the following 
are the officers for the next two
years: Mrs. Mary Church Terrell pres.,
Washington D. C., Mrs. B. K. Bruce,
1st vice president, Indianapolis, Ind.,
Mrs. Lucy Phillips, 2d vice president,
Jackson, Miss.; corresponding secretary, 
Miss Mary Lynch, of Salisbury,
N.C.; recording secretary, Mrs. Connie
A Curl, of Chicago; 1st assistant recording 
secretary, Mrs. S. Lillian Coleman, 
Omaha, Neb.; 2nd assistant recording 
secretary, Mrs. Carrie Clifford
of Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. J. Silone
Yates, treasurer, Kansas City, Mo.,
Mrs. R. Jerome Jeffrey, national organizer, 
Rochester, N. Y., Mrs. B. T.
Washington, chairman executive committee 
Tuskegee, Ala.; Mrs. Libbie C
Anthony, chairman committee on 
ways and means, Jefferson City, Mo.
                             ALBERT B. GEORGE

[*Chicago Tribune Aug. 18, 1899.*]
COLORED MEN IN SESSION.
SECOND ANNUAL MEETING OF AFRO-AMERICAN BODY OPENS.
After Addresses of Welcome to the 300 Delegates in Bethel Church Bishop Alexander Walters Delivers the Annual Address of the President-Delay While It Is Determined Which Would-Be Speakers Have Earned the Right to Be Heard.
The Afro-American Council, which has for its object the general uplifting of the colored race and aims especially to check the prevalence of lynching, began its second annual convention yesterday in Bethel Church, Twenty-fourth and Dearborn streets.  Most of the 300 persons present were clergymen and educators.
After addresses of welcome by Dr. Howard S. Taylor, the Rev. A. J. Carey and A. H. Roberts, and a response by Bishop Turner, Bishop Alexander Walters, President of the council, delivered the annual address.  After giving an account of the organization of the council he continued:
"The goal to be reached is all that is guaranteed to American citizens by the constitution and Declaration of Independence, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; the recognition in all parts of this broad land of the citizenship of the negro; the removal of the barriers erected by prejudice to hinder Afro-Americans from attaining their highest development.  In a word, we desire the opportunity to struggle, unfettered, for the things which some of the white people of this country think are 'unattainable' by negroes, but which they are careful to keep out of their reach.
Fair Trials for Colored Men.
"Whenever the authorities of the Southern States, wherein heinous crimes are said to have been committed by negroes, can and will assure the leaders that Afro-Americans who are accused will be given a fair trial, they can count on the leaders of the colored race to assist them in the apprehension and conviction of negro criminals.
"No self-respecting negro will turn over to an angry mob a man of his race to be mutilated and burned."
His Ideas on Expansion.
Bishop Walters touched on the subject of expansion as follows
"If to be an expansionist is a desire to see one's country enlarged by the acquisition of territory, a larger field for commerce, opportunities to give a higher civilization to semi-civilized peoples, and to add prestige to the nation, then I am an expansionist.  But, while I believe in expansion, I do not think that America is prepared to carry on the work of expansion at this time, especially if it be among the dark races of the earth."
The Bishop closed with an appeal which was in part:
"To President McKinley we now appeal to use his influence by word and deed to secure to all American citizens, in all parts of the country, a fair and impartial trial by jury, and to grant to Afro-American soldiers who deserve it promotion to be commissioned officers in the regular army."
Must Pay $5 Before Speaking.
After Mrs. F. L. Barnett had read the secretary's report a serious difficulty confronted the presiding officer.  Under the constitution no delegate had the right to speak unless he had qualified by paying $5 into the treasury, and until the Committee on Credentials reported every one who wanted to speak was regarded with suspicion.
Evening Meeting Is Crowded.
In the evening a public meeting was held.  So great was the crowd that two women fainted, and had to be carried from the church.
Professor W. E. B. Du Bois of the colored university at Atlanta, Ga., spoke on "The Business Enterprises of the Race and How to Foster Them." Isaiah T. Montgomery, Mayor of Mount  Bayou, Miss., told how the colored people of the Yazoo Delta are working out their salvation by buying the land and living in communities wholly composed of negroes.
After a speech by Bishop Posey, Bishop Turner explained his scheme for carrying 7,000,000 colored folks to Liberia at a cost of $15 each.
Women Have a Peaceful Session.
Miss Elizabeth C. Carter of New Bedford, Mass., was in a mollified frame of mind when she appeared at Quinn Chapel to attend the closing business session of the convention of Colored Women's clubs of America. The proceedings of Wednesday, which threatened the withdrawal of the New England members, had been forgotten and it was admitted that the reelection of Mrs. Terrell to the Presidency was constitutional,
Numerous resolutions were adopted.  Notable among these were those deploring the death of Colonel Ingersoll, who gave by the terms of his will $1,000 to the John Brown monument fund; deploring the separate coach laws in force in States of the South; declaring in favor of the establishment of kindergartens and schools of domestic science for young colored persons.
In the afternoon the delegates visited Hull House.  In the evening the Illinois federation entertained the visiting delegates at a reception and banquet at Quinn Chapel, Wabash avenue and Twenty-fourth street. Mrs. R. E. Moore of Chicago presided.  Among the speakers were Mrs. Fannie B. Williams of Chicago, Mrs. M. C. Terrell of Washington, and Mrs. Booker T. Washington of Tuskegee, Ala.  The banquet lasted to a late hour.


[*Chicago Tribune Aug. 14, 1899*]
TAKE UP NEGRO'S RIGHTS
DELEGATES FROM COLORED WOMEN'S CLUBS IN LOCAL PULPITS.
Fanny Barrier Williams, at All Souls', Decries Prejudice Against the Race-Social Conditions in the South-Discourses at Other Churches-Program Arranged for Today-Toasts at the Banquet-Convention of the Afro-American Council.
Delegates to the convention of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, which sits in Chicago today, filled Quinn Chapel, and Bethel, All Soul's, and Olivet Baptist Churches at the services yesterday. Mrs. Marry Church Terrell spoke at the Bethel, Mrs. B. R. Bruce at Quinn Chapel, Mrs. Josephine S. Yates at Olivet, and Mrs. Fanny Barrier Williams at All Soul's.
Mrs. Williams' Sermon.
Fannie Barrier Williams, President of the Illinois Federation of Colored Women's Clubs, decried prejudice against the colored race in her talk at All Souls' Church.
"If a strong man beats a weak man," she said, "we call the treatment cowardice; but if a strong race subjugates a weaker one we call it destiny. That the social condition of the colored people of the South is taking better form is evidenced by the success of our colored clubs for the improvement of the race. We now have over 300 of these operating in various parts of the country, all of which have been organized within the last year. On the plantation and isolated towns of the Southern States these clubs have met with significant success as culture agencies.
"The colored people are beginning to realize that their citizenship is secured better by education than by legislation. The colored people everywhere have but recently taken the courage to overcome racial prejudice in steps toward their advancement. The progress of the race is also being accelerated by the development of strong personalities among them. The careers of such men as Booker T. Washington and Paul Lawrence Dunbar are examples of ability innate in the negro.
"The negro himself will be his greatest promoter in the next generation. It is safe to say that the next 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' will be written by a negro and will show the negro is essentially an American, and not a parasite."
Program for Today.
The delegates to the convention will meet today in Quinn Chapel, Twenty-fourth street and Wabash avenue. Tuesday and Wednesday will be devoted to the business of the convention, and some of the most prominent women in the country will be in attendance. Especial attention will be given to the department of home work and the report of the Committee on Prison Reforms. In this connection particular notice will be taken of the prisons in the South.
This evening the delegates will be welcomed to the city by Prosecuting Attorney Howard S. Taylor, representing Mayor Harrison. Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, President of the association, will read her annual address. A reception will be given by the women of Quinn chapel to the delegates and their guests. Mrs. John A. Logan will respond to the toast "The Afro-American Woman." Others who are expected are Mrs. Shelby M. Cullom, Dr. and Mrs. William R. Harper, Major W. F. Tucker, and Mrs. Tucker. Mrs. A. J. Carey will act as toastmaster. "The National Association" will be Mrs. B. R. Bruce's toast, while Mrs. Booker T. Washington will speak on "The Club and The Home." The other toasts are: "The Club and the Church," Mrs. J. W. E. Bowen; "Our Guests," Mrs. Fannie Barrier Williams; "Chicago," Mrs. Mary Church Terrell. There will be 200 guests. Wednesday is the day set for the election of officers. Mrs. Bruce and Mrs. Yates are prominent candidates for the office of President. Papers on social and economical problems will be read Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Thursday evening the association will meet at a banquet to be given by the Illinois State Federation of Clubs of Colored Women.
Colored Men's Convention.
The convention of the Afro-American council of colored men will be held at Bethel Church, Thirtieth and Dearborn streets, beginning Wednesday and lasting until Saturday evening. Some of the gravest race questions confronting the colored people will be discussed. It is expected that a great fight will result over resolutions which it is promised will be introduced denouncing President McKinley for not using the federal authority to prevent lynchings in the South. The supporters of President McKinley have called on every prominent colored officeholder to rally to the support of the President, but the opposing faction says the resolutions will pass.
Among other questions to be taken up is that of immigration. The revised State constitutions of Mississippi, Alabama, North and South Carolina will be given consideration, and funds raised to get the questions involved before the United States Supreme Court. The colored men claim that the change in the constitutions mentioned permits the white people to disfranchise the colored voter without killing him.
Another question which will come up is that of the separate car law in vogue throughout the South.

The Plaindealer.
Published at Topeka, Kansas, Shawnee county, 
every Friday morning, by The Plaindealer Publishing 
company, 114 E Seventh street.

Entered at the postoffice at Topeka, Kansas, 
Shawnee county, as second class mail matter.

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NICK CHILES -- Business Manager
J.H. CHILDERS, -- Editor.
WILL HARRIS, - Managing Editor.

THURSDAY, NOV. 30, 1899.

In summing up the many 
things for which we, as a race, 
have to be thankful, we believe 
without question that the subject
 matter of our current issue is 
something for which one should 
have deeper feelings of thanksgiving 
and praise than for all 
else that has come to us during 
the past year.  The history writers 
of our race are so much taken 
up with "the great events of 
the day," and in signing the 
praises of some of our great men, 
that they fail utterly to do justice 
to those whose feeble efforts 
are doing more good for race advancement 
than the eloquence of 
our finest platform orators.

THE PLAINDEALER takes pleasure 
in presenting to the public, 
and especially to the men of our  
race, these brief bits of the history 
of the work of our Negro women. 
We do not claim to tell 
the story here of all, or half of 
the great work the women of our 
race are doing, but we present it, 
and ask that it be given a careful 
reading.

The Negro woman has never 
received the proper recognition 
from the men of our race which 
she justly merits, by reason o 
her noble and self-sacrificing conduct. 
How many of our men give

more than a passing thought to 
the poor old colored woman who 
goes toiling down the streets 
seeking honorable means to sustain 
her family and education her 
children ? How little appreciation 
there is for them and the 
work they are doing !

For nearly forty years the women 
of our race have left to the 
men the great work of solving 
the Race Problem, and the men 
have sought the solution through 
political agencies, neglecting the 
more potent element—the Home. 
True, in the beginning, the intellectual 
qualifications of our women 
were inferior to those of 
the men ; but multiplication of 
school facilities and an eager seizing 
of all opportunities, have resulted 
in remarkable intellectual 
development among them. 
Where twenty year ago there 
were masses of uneducated parents, 
today the race boasts man 
thousands of educated parents 
who are earnestly devoting their 
time and ability to the proper 
rearing of children. A careful 
reading of this meager record 
will show them going into the  
highways and bringing back the 
lost ones, —going among the lowly, 
teaching that kind of practical 
knowledge of home affairs so
essential to the development of  
noble-hearted men and virtuous 
women.

Our women are wisely adopting 
the club idea of co-operation ; 
while not so prevalent in the 
West as in the East and South, 
the idea is advancing, and  
promises beneficial results. In 
an address delivered before the 
Washington Federation of Clubs, 
the brilliant and gifted president 
of the National Association of 
Colored Women, Mrs. Mary 

Church-Terrell, gave the following 
timely advice: "Make a 
tour of the settlements of colored 
people, who, in many cities, are 
relegated to the most noisome 
sections permitted by the municipal 
governments, and behold the 
mites of humanity who infest 
them !  Here are our little ones, 
the future representatives of the  
race, fairly drinking in the pernicious 
examples of their elders, 
coming in contact with nothing 
but ignorance and vice.  Colored 
women are everywhere reaching 
out after the waifs and strays, 
who, without their aid, may be  
doomed to lives of evil and 
shame."  This is is a part of the  
great problem which our women  
are taking hold of.

  For such noble-hearted women, 
the race has much to be  
thankful for on this glorious holiday. 
A knowledge of the great 
work they are doing, ought to 
rouse every Negro man in this  
broad land to give them every 
possible assistance ; they should 
have the full co-operation of all 
in this commendable work.

It is to be regretted that our 
Kansas clubs have not gone into 
this work more extensively than 
they have.  Except by the Women's 
Protective Home, of Leavenworth, 
very little is being done. 
But Kansas women are beginners.
Before many years roll 
by, they will be found actively 
supplementing the work of Mrs. 
Terrell, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Bruce, 
Mrs. Victoria Earle and the host 
of our ladies who are lifting our 
banner of Negro womanhood 
higher and higher.


Star Sept 2, 1899.

CONVENTION A SUCCESS

President of Association of Colored Women
Discusses Its Work.

Study of the Labor Question — Other
Themes Considered — Facts
About the Election.

Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, president of 
the National Association of Colored Women,
which recently held its second convention 
in Chicago, and who was re-elected at 
[?] session, speaks enthusiastically of the 
[?] organization about its possible
[?] a magnificent suc-
[?] ell to a Star reporter. 
[?] was more largely at-
[?] -e previous meeting. 
[?] -ates in all, and they 
[?] -t, well-poised, intelli-
[?] -en. All of the great 
[?] -ithout exception com- 
[?] -nly upon the manner 
[?] -sacted the business of 
[?] the way in which they 
[?] -s.

[?] -e Chicago clubs had 
[?]-er to make the meet- 
[?] -we came, so that when 
[?] -y was prepared to re-
[?] -ned ourselves exclusive-
[?] -ion of those questions 
[?] -st deeply and directly as 
[?] -ternoon we talked about 
[?] -f establishing schools of dom-[?] -s the association is the 
only national body of colored women in 
the county, we feel we should study the 
labor question carefully and conscientiously. 
We want to do something to arouse our 
men and women to the alarming rapidity 
with which they are losing ground in the 
world of labor. We want to make our girls, 
and our boys, too, for that matter, so 
skilled in the trades and so proficient in 
every avocation in which they may engage 
that instead of being boycotted, as they 
are now in some sections of the country, 
they will be eage-[?]-nt for and be well 
paid for their services.

"Why the national association should devise 
was and means for establishing kindergartens 
was the subject of discussion 
the second afternoon. 'The hope of the race 
lies in the children' was the burden of our 
song. 'If the association did nothing else 
but try to save the children its mission 
would be more than nobly fulfilled' was the
sentiment of the entire convention. The 
labor question the convict lease system as 
it affects child nature, temperance, the 
necessity of an equal moral standard for 
men and women and the 'Jim Crow' car 
laws were ably treated by women who have 
made a special study of these various 
themes.

Representatives of White Race.

"Several women of the dominant race, 
who are known throughout the length and 
breadth of the land, attended our meetings, 
and spoke enthusiastically of the 
wonderful work we have already accomplished 
and encouragingly of what we may 
hope to do. Mrs. Ellen M. Henrotin, honorary 
president of the National Federation 
of Women's Clubs, stayed in Chicago ex-
[?] an address of welcome 
[?] -s great body of women. 
[?] -ired and encouraged 
[?]

Afro-Americans. There
[?]cordant note in our ot[?]
meeting, and that [?]
man, who was a ca-[?]
[?]dency, and wh-[?]
[?]-otes to elect h-[?]
"Altho-[?]

[?]-te mat-[?]
[?]justice,

 both to 
[?] -hould -tate th-
[?]lection. I decl-[?] -atedly before the 
convention that I [?] desire a re-election. 
I was so anxious to impress upon 
the delegates my reluctance to again assume 
the presidency that I went so far as 
to say that I would not accept a re-election, 
unless it were unanimous (which from 
the very nature of the case I felt it could 
never be), and even if it were, I stated 
positively that I preferred not to serve 
again.

Constitution Not in the Way.

"Most of the delegates supposed that the 
constitution prohibited the re-election of 
the officers who had served the past [?] 
years. Indeed it had been stated positively 
that this was a fact. On the morning of 
the election of officers, after the names of 
five or six candidates for the presidency 
had been mentioned, one of the delegates 
announced to the convention that there was 
no reason why all of the officers could not 
be re-elected, if the women wanted to retain 
them.

"The constitution,' she said, 'forbids an 
officer from serving more than two consecutive 
terms. As it was adopted just two 
years ago at Nashville, and as our present 
officers have served only one term since it 
was adopted, they are all eligible for re-election.'
 
"I still maintained, however, that I did 
not want a re-election, until some of the 
officers who sat on the platform persuaded 
me to go before the women and promise 
to serve again, if I received the necessary 
two-thirds vote. As the ballot was secret, 
and no woman could tell for whom her 
neighbor was voting, there can be no doubt 
in the mind of any reasonable person that 
the vote as polled showed who was the 
choice of the convention for president. 
When the votes were counted, it was announced 
that Mary Church Terrell had received 106 
votes out of 145. In other 
words, there were only thirty-nine votes 
distributed among the other five candidates 
whose names were before the convention. 
The result, I am proud to say, 
was greeted with the applause.

Corrects False Reports.

"I would not thus publicly recite in detail 
the circumstances connected with my 
re-election if false reports had not been 
circulated to the effect that I was re-elected 
president of the National Association 
only after a long struggle and with great 
opposition. I was very sorry that the 
Northeastern Federation did not get an office. 
The convention tried in vain to induce 
one of its delegates to accept a recording 
secretaryship, but as she thought 
it was created expressly for her, she declined 
to accept it. I have every reason [?]  
believe that the Northeastern Federation 
will not withdraw because it failed [?] 
an office at our last convention, [?] 
continue to be loyal to the associ-[?].

"As I have already said, our convention
was a success in every particular. In
speaking about the impression we made
one of the representative citizens of Chicao
said we had done more to put our race
in a favorable light before that community
than anything the colored people had done
for a long time.

"After telling how disappointing the international 
congress of women was, because 
of the vague lifeless speeches and the 
amateurish, aimless papers read, which 
were in no way helpful to millions of women 
who need help a local paper said of 
our convention: 'Nothing like this could 
be charged against the National Association 
of Colored Women at its session in 
this city. These women have not been 
promoting hobbies or whims or theories, 
but have planned exactly how he unfortunate 
of the colored race are to be better 
educated, better clothed and better fed. If 
but one kindergarten were to be the result 
of their meeting - and instead of one 
the number is likely to be a hundred - they 
would have accomplished more for their 
kind than did the whole much trumpeted 
international congress of women in London.

"The second convention of the National 
Association of Colored Women, recently 
held in Chicago, was a magnificent success 
from beginning to end. In the first place 
it was more largely attended than the 
previous meetings we have held. There 
were 145 delegates in all, and they composed 
as earnest, well-poised and intelligent 
a body of women as has ever met together."

[*Chicago Chronicle*]
Colored Women In A Row.
[*Aug 17, 1899*]
Reelection of Officers Disrupts 
Their National Convention. 

New England Contingent Goes Out in 
a Burst of Indignation. 
Mrs. Terrell Succeeds in Retaining 
     the Presidency. 

Afro-American Council Is to Open Today 
at Bethel Church.

The national convention of colored women
of America closed yesterday at Quinn 
chapel in a whirl of excitement and disruption. 
(The delegates from the Northeast 
Federation of Colored Women's Clubs 
abruptly withdrew, taking with them the 
support of 1,000 New England members.) 
The unpleasantness started over the re-election 
of Mrs. Mary Church Terrell of 
Washington, president of the association. 
The constitution prohibits such a step and 
an amendment had been voted down which 
would have allowed the national officers to 
hold their positions indefinitely. The amendment 
was generally supposed to have been 
put forward in behalf of Mrs. Terrell. 
Find a Way for Mrs. Terrell. 
(When the convention opened yesterday 
morning the friends of the president had regained 
their courage and a way out of the 
difficulty was discovered. A motion was 
carried to go into executive session for the 
election of a national president for two 
years. Mrs. Terrell, her friends urged, had 
been elected to fill an unexpired term. Therefore, 
the prohibition could not apply to her. 
The controversy ended in the choice of Mrs. 
Terrell, and the convention took a recess for 
luncheon.)
In the afternoon the antagonism of the 
New England delegates began to manifest 
itself. Three candidates for the first vice 
presidency were put in nomination. They 
were Mrs. Josephine B. Bruce of Indianapolis, 
the incumbent; Mrs. Ruffin of Boston 
and Mrs. Libbie C. Anthony of Jefferson 
City, Mo. 
Mrs. Bruce Has a Clean Path. 
Mrs. Anthony withdrew her name and was 
followed by Mrs. Ruffin, and Mrs. Bruce was 
reelected, in defiance of the constitution. 
Mrs. Josephine Silone Yates of Kansas 
City, Mo., was chosen treasurer, Mrs. 
Jerome Jeffrey of Rochester, N. Y., national 
organizer and Mrs. Booker T. Washington 
of Tuskegee, Ala., chairman of the national 
executive committee, all reelections, made in 
rapid succession by acclamation. 
The first change in the existing list of national 
officers came in when Mrs. Lucy Phillips 
of Jackson, Tenn., was chosen to succeed 
Mrs. Lucy Thurman of Jackson City, 
Mich. Three ballots were taken before that 
result was achieved. 
Miss Carter Withdraws.
(The splitting of the convention came over 
the contest for recording secretary. (Mrs.
 Christine S. Smith, elected three years ago, 
is sick and has not attended the sessions. 
Mrs. Connie E. Curl of Chicago, Miss Elizabeth 
C. Carter of New Bedford and Mrs. Mary Sutton 
of Pittsburg were nominated. Mrs. Curl 
was chosen, and Miss Carter's friends were 
indignant. That young woman was proposed 
for assistant secretary, a position not in 
existence heretofore, and this made matters 
worse. The New Bedford delegate jumped 
up and said: "I'll not take the office. You 
were all very glad to get the Northeast 
Federation into the national association, but 
you have never given the representatives of 
that section of the country any consideration 
in the way of offices. All you seem to want 
of us is our money and our influence to help 
the growth of the association. In the name 
of the Northeast Federation I refuse the 
office of assistant recording secretary to 
which this convention has just so kindly 
elected me and announce the withdrawal of 
the Federation and its 1,000 members from 
this association.)
Colored Men In Session.
The national Afro-American council of the 
United States will meet at Bethel church at 
10 o'clock this morning in a convention which 
will close Saturday evening. The council 
will take up matters deeply concerning the 
colored race. 
The council is composed of the deepest 
thinkers among the colored men of the 
country and among those in attendance will 
be: Bishop Alexander Walters, D. D., the 
president; Booker T. Washington, Tuskegee, 
Ala.; Edward E. Brown, Boston; Bishop W. 
H. Turner, Colonel W. A. Pledger, Atlanta, 
Ga., and prominent colored men from every 
state in the union. One of the most important 
matters to be presented will be a 
proposed federal state punishing men who 
perpetrate lynchings.


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         THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1899.

MRS. TERRELL WINS.

COLORED WOMEN RE-ELECT HER

Warring Factions for Presidency of
  National Association Finally With-
draw Candidates and Present
      Incumbent is Retained.

   Mrs. Mary Church Terrell was re-elected 
yesterday president of the National Association 
of Colored Women. (At the Tuesday 
afternoon session 
she declared she 
would not be a candidate 
unless there 
came to her the unanimous 
declaration of 
the organization that 
she was its choice 
for the presidency.  
When the call for an 
executive session was 
made by Mrs. Jackson 
of Kansas City it 
was supposed Mrs. B.
K. Bruce would be 
the next president.  
Mrs. J. Silone Yates 
also was mentioned.)  
The fight was an exciting one.  (Mrs. Josephine 
St. Pierre Ruffin of Boston, Mass.,
led the opposition.  Mrs. Bruce and Mrs. 
Yates poured oil on the troubled waters.  
Finally Mrs. Bruce, Mrs. Yates and Mrs. 
Ruffin withdrew as candidates for presidential 
honors, and Mrs. Terrell received 106 
votes of the 145 cast.)

  Other Officers Elected.
   At the afternoon session Mrs. B.K. Bruce 
was re-elected first vice-president.  Mrs. 
Lucy Phillips of Jackson, 
Tenn., was chosen 
second vice-president.  
Mrs. Connie A. Curl 
of Chicago, Mrs. S. 
Lillian Coleman and 
Mrs. Carrie W. Coleman 
of Cleveland, O., 
were made secretaries.  
Mrs. J. Silone 
Yates was re-elected 
treasurer by acclamation.  
Mrs. Jerome Jeffrey 
of Rochester, N.
Y., is national organizer 
and Mrs. Booker 
T. Washington chairman 
of the executive 
committee.
   (Mrs. Ruffin seemed 
inclined to carry her MRS. JOSEPHINE ST. 
morning fight into the  PIERRE RUFFIN
open session.  She was assisted by Ms. Jackson 
of Kansas City and Mrs. Elizabeth C. 
Carter of New Bedford, Mass., upon whom 
the convention vainly endeavored to thrust 
one of the secretaryships.)

Threatens a Bolt.
(Miss Carter's attitude caused alarm in the 
administration ranks.  She insisted the constitution 
was being fragrantly violated, 
and that if this course 
were continued it 
would mean that the 
Northeastern Federation 
of Colored Women
would withdraw from 
the association.  Miss 
Carter held to her position, 
however, and 
it is now feared a 
split will occur in the 
association.)  At the 
night session Miss 
Mary Lynch, Mrs. 
Lucy Thurman, Miss 
Elizabeth C. Carter 
and Mrs. Emma C. 
Ransom were the 
principal speakers.  The convention will 
probably adjourn this morning.

MRS. MARY CHURCH TERRELL, 
MRS. JOSEPHINE ST. PIERRE RUFFIN, 
MRS. LUCY E. PHILLIPS

[*N. Y. Age Aug. 24, 1899.*]
WOMEN'S NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.
____________________
Features of the Meeting Held at 
Chicago.
From the Chicago Conservator.
The colored women of the country have 
met in annual convention and by their 
good works they covered themselves with 
glory.  Delegates began to arrive Saturday 
and by Sunday half of the convention had 
arrived in the city.  The various churches 
had announced special services and all 
who attended were amply repaid.  Sunday 
morning Miss Anna E. Jones, teacher in 
the Kansas City High School, spoke to a 
full house at Grace Presbyterian Church. 
Her subject was "The Fine Art of Living."
(At night [?Mrs. Mary Church Terrill, 
president of the Federation,] spoke to an 
audience that filled every nook, corner and 
aisle of Bethel, while hundreds were turned 
from the doors.  For a full hour she kept 
her audience deeply interested while she 
told of the heroism and self sacrifice of 
Harriet Beecher Stowe.  Mrs. B. K. Bruce 
spoke at Quinn Chapel to an overflowing 
house.)  Mrs. J. Silone Yates of Kansas 
City justified public expectation by a fine 
address at Olivet.
Monday the convention met in Quinn 
Chapel at every session the house was 
crowded to the doors.  Many able papers 
were read and the discussion was at all 
times of the very highest order.  The convention
went into executive session Wednesday
for the election of officers. :Mrs. Mary
Church Terrill of Washington, D. C., was 
elected president; Mrs. Josephine B. Bruce 
of Indianapolis, first vice-president; Mrs. 
Lucy E. Phillips of Jackson, Tenn., second 
vice-president; Mrs. Mary Lynch of Salisbury,
N.C., corresponding secretary; Mrs. 
J. Silone Yates of Kansas City, treasurer; 
Mrs. Jerome Jeffries of Rochester, N.Y., 
National organizer; and Mrs. Booker T. 
Washington of Tuskegee, Ala. chairman 
of the National executive committee.
There were three candidates for the office 
of recording secretary--Mrs. Connie A. 
Curl of Chicago, Miss Elizabeth E. Carter 
of New Bedford and Mrs. Mary Sutton of 
Pittsburg. Mrs. Sutton withdrew on the 
first ballot.  Mrs. Curl was given the solid 
support of the Chicago delegation.  At the 
end of three ballots Miss Carter had fifty-
nine votes to Mrs. Curl's eighty-one, 
ninety-four being necessary to a choice.  
As there seemed to be no chance of break-
ing the deadlock, a motion that Mrs. Curl 
be declared elected by acclamation was 
carried.
Then it was suggested that the office of 
assistant recording secretary be created 
and that one of the two candidates who 
had received the greatest number of votes 
on the last ballot be elected recording 
secretary, and that the second candidate 
be elected to the office of assistant recording 
secretary.  The motion was carried and 
(then it was that Miss Carter refused to 
accept the office and announced her determination
to carry the New England delegation
with her from the association.)  
(Various suggestions were made that the 
matter be compromised and some even 
went so far as to suggest that Mrs. Curl 
resign in Miss Carter's favor, but the 
Chicago delegation refused to permit her 
to do so, and the members of the delegation
declared that if she was forced from 
the office to which she had been elected 
the Chicago clubs would leave the federation.
  (Finally, to avoid further trouble, 
Miss Carter left the hall and Mrs. Curl was 
elected as first recording secretary.)  Mrs. 
S. Lillian Coleman of Omaha was elected 
second recording secretary and Miss Carrie 
W. Clifford was elected third recording 
secretary.
___________________________

[*Sept. 7, 1899.*]
THE WOMEN AT CHICAGO.
____________
MISS CARTER SEEKS TO CORRECT
SOME MISAPPREHENSIONS.
__________________
The Northeastern Delegation and 
the Contest for the Position of Recording
Secretary Reviewed.
To the Editor of The New York Age:
Returning from the recent convention
in the city of Chicago, I find that a 
large and varied number of reports have 
been circulated relative to the election of 
the recording secretary f the National 
Association of Colored Women.  Many
 letters have been received; some, letters
of inquiry; others, letters of congratulations;
but when news is received
that there was any special antagonism 
against the Northeastern delegation as 
far as the election of secretary is concerned,
I feel that the time has come 
when I should put the matter in its true
light before the public.
The Northeaster delegation was 
Mrs Mary H Dickerson and miss Margaret
Kinloch of Newport, R.I.; Mrs.
Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin and Mrs.
M. S. Foster of Boston, Miss Imogen 
Howard, Mrs. Dora Millar and Mrs 
Mabel Garner of New York and Miss 
Elizabeth C. Carter of New Bedford, 
Mass.
There were three candidates nominated
for the office of recording secretary:
Mrs. Connie E. Carl of Chicago,
Mrs. Mary Sutton of Pittsburgh and 
Miss Elizabeth C. Carter of New Bed-
ford.  The contest was an animated
one, and yet during all the time occupied
in providing for his office the best
of feeling existed.  The total number 
of votes cast was 140, the number of
votes necessary for choice 94; the first 
ballot resulting as follows:  Curl, 73; 
Carter, 64; Sutton, 3.  The one receiving
the smallest number of votes was 
dropped and after one of the delegates
explained that the convention had been 
the guest of the Chicago Clubs and as 
these clubs had extended so many courtesies
to the National, Chicago ought to
have one office, the second ballot was 
taken, resulting as follows: Curl, 88; 
Carter, 52.
    At this point Mrs. Sylvania Williams 
of New Orleans said that the clubs in
the Northeastern Federation ought to 
have some representation, that as a National
organization every section should 
be represented on the list of officers and 
that was the reason she was in favor of 
the Northeastern having some representation.
I must say that the spirit shown 
by the delegates from the Southern 
clubs has done much towards creating a 
better feeling than would have otherwise
existed; for in all that they did 
they seemed to be doing that which was 
really for the best interest of the association.
    The Chicago delegation numbered 53 
(of course they were at home and did
not have traveling expenses to consider).  
These 53, with five other delegates
from the other two Illinois clubs, 
made a total number of 58 for them.  
The third ballot resulted as follows:
Curl 81, Carter, 59.
    Knowing that it would be impossible
to obtain 94 votes out of 140, when the 
Illinois clubs represented 58 and Mrs. 
Curl was an Illinois woman, Miss Carter
stated that as it seemed impossible for 
either to obtain the required 94 votes 
she would withdraw from the contest 
and Mrs. Curl was elected by acclamation.  
Having been introduced as representing 
1,000 women, and declaring
that she would withdraw from the contest,
has been made to appear that Miss
Carter had withdrawn from the National 
Association with 1,000 women 
which is not true.
   As far as the office of an assistant 
secretary, the constitution did not provide 
for such, and when amending the 
constitution the day before no provision 
was made for such an office.  Miss Carter 
declared that as a representative of the 
Northeastern Federation she could not 
accept an office that was created for the 
occasion, and declined nomination to the 
same.  "There is a certain amount of 
dignity attached to womanhood and the 
time has come when that dignity should 
be asserted, therefore I cannot accept 
an office that is unconstitutional," said 
Miss Carter.  Of course we do not blame 
Chicago for being desirous of having a 
representation in the National Association, 
and yet as members of the Northeastern 
Federation, having been surrounded 
with that chivalric spirit which 
has permeated these States since the 
days of the Revolution, (we felt and still 
feel that "taxation without representation 
is tyranny."  A club of twenty 
members, taxed six dollars and entitled 
to two votes, while a club of 230 members, 
also taxed six dollars, but entitled 
to 23 votes, did not seem just and it is 
gratifying to think that this part of the
constitution has been amended.)
    It was reported that the National 
Association represented 10,000 women; 
with 1,000 women in these States we 
could not compete numerically with the 
other 9,000.  I shall continue, however,
in the future as in the past to do all I 
can to foster union among our women, 
for "in union there is strength," but if 
the National Association is desirous of 
becoming the strong organization that
it should be, the election of officers 
should not be made such a prominent 
feature of its biennial gatherings, for 
there is too much practical work to be 
done all over this broad land.
   ELIZABETH C. CARTER.
New Bedford, Mass.

[*The Chicago Tribune-*]
[*Wed - August 16, 1899*]

      THE COLORED WOMEN'S CLUBS.
   The four days' convention in this city
of the colored women's club represents
a movement which does the greatest credit
to their people. It is a remarkable evidence
on the part of the more educated
and favored colored women of the country
of an intelligent purpose to do their
part in the common advancement of their 
race. Their efforts are calculated to command
public respect, and cannot fail to
have, in many ways, far reaching influence.
    Mrs.Ellen M. Henrotin, in her fine address of
welcome to other evening, was right in tracing
the genesis of this national colored women's organization
and great undertaking back to the "wonderful year" - the
year of the two hundred and more world congresses in
connection with the World's Fair, in which women were
moved to take so large a part.  It meant, of course, a new
epoch in American history and the argument from what
white women can do to what similarly educated, practical,
and aspiring colored women could do was short and convincing.
    The next census will, no doubt, show that there are not less
than ten million colored people in our country.  While we have our
new problems, problems certain to test severely the national
character, we are by no means through with some of our older 
problems.  With nearly one-half the population in the Southern
States and so considerable a portion of the people in the Northern
States negroes, inevitably sharing in the common citizenship and the
common life and aspiration and destiny of the whole country, the profound
interest which the more thoughtful American people take in the outcome of
this race and national problem is natural.
     That within a single generation since the war which gave freedom to the race such
a gathering as this should be possible means a great deal.  It shows what freedom can
do when there goes with freedom the public school and educational advantages of all
kinds and grades.  It attests the sagacity of those Northern associations and Northern
men and women who made such haste immediately after the war in planting, and that
on the most liberal scale, schools for the emancipated people.  And this associated
movement of the colored women of the country speaks well not only for the capacities
of their race but for their courage in spite of peculiar disadvantages.
    (Could Abraham Lincoln have looked in upon the nearly two thousand people crowded
into the Quinn Chapel the other evening and seen the representatives of the race he
emancipated and listened to the addresses, said to have been so admirably spoken, of the
President of the convention, Mrs. Terrell, Mrs. Booker T. Washington, Mrs. Jeffery, Mrs. B.K.
Bruce, Mrs. Thurman, and others, and observed their essential dignity, evident refinement
of manner, and noted the breadth of their outlook for their race and for the country, it is not
difficult to imagine some of the emotions which would have stirred him, especially in view
of their so clear apprehension of the real conditions of the problem before them.)


[*Chicago Tribune   Aug. 16, 1899*]
MUST ELECT NEW CHIEFS.

COLORED WOMEN'S CONVENTION VOTES DOWN AMENDMENT.

Discussion of the Proposed Changes
in the Constitution Occupies a Large Part of the
Business Session - One Hundred and Forty-four Delegates
Present - Expression of Views on Kindergartens in the South - Widow
of Senator Bruce Speaks in Evening.

  As a result of a decisive vote taken in the convention of the National Association of
Colored Women's Clubs yesterday at Quinn Chapel the association will be obliged to
elect a new set of national officers today.  The second day's proceedings of the convention
opened rather late because of the late hour to which the banquet and reception of the 
previous evening had been extended.  It was some time after 10 o'clock when President
Mary Church Terrill called the meeting to order, with a few words of apology and explanation
for the delay.
   There were 144 delegates, representing clubs in sixteen out of the forty-eight States to
which the organization has been extended.  The States represented were Pennsylvania, 
North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, 
Mississippi, Massachusetts, and New York. The District of Columbia also was represented.
   Mrs. Lucy Thurman, Jackson, Mich., offered the opening prayer, and then the delegates
gave five minute reports of the work done in their organizations.
              
  Amendments to Constitution.
   During the business session several amendments to the constitution and rules were
discussed.  The discussion over the proposition to permit the reelection of the association's
national officers indefinitely was argued and fought at great length.  When the vote finally
was taken the proposed amendment to the constitution was defeated by a decisive
majority, and as a result of that ballot the association will be obliged to elect an entirely
new set of national officers today.
    No sooner had the important amendment been defeated than new trouble sprang up
over a  proposed change it, the constitution which would compel all local organizations
wishing admission to the national association to apply through the national organizer
instead of through the State organizers, as at present.  Mrs. Terrell got so near to the
settlement of the new trouble as to take a vote on it, when the delegates from all parts
of the church arose to ask for explanations of the amendment and the result of the vote
was not announced, the convention adjourning for luncheon.
    The fights over the proposed amendments to the constitution had been so vigorous that
the morning session had extended half way through the afternoon it being 3 o'clock instead
of noon when the recess was taken.
    Mrs. Helen M. Barker, National Treasurer of the W.C.T.U., opened the afternoon session with
prayer.
                                       In Behalf of Kindergartens.
   Mrs. Haidee Campbell of St. Louis read a strong argument in behalf of the establishing of 
kindergartens by the influence of the National Association of Colored Women.  The discussion
on the subject was led by Mrs. Ida J. Jackson of Jefferson City, Mo., and by Mrs. Lucy E. Phillips
of Jackson, Tenn.
   Most of the speakers favored the establishment of kindergartens in the Southern States.  As
there seems to be little hope of such schools being started by the States themselves the only
hop of getting them lies in the influence and contributions of the National Association of Colored
Women.
    During the progress of the discussion pamphlets were offered for sale which contained a speech
delivered by the President, Mrs. Terrell, and the proceeds of which were devoted to the kindergarten fund,
that the delegates say they intend to start.

                                        At the Evening Session.
    Quinn Chapel was crowded to the doors long before 8 o'clock p.m., the hour at which the evening meeting
of the convention opened.  Many men were scattered through the audience, and on the platform were many
colored men of national prominence, who have arrived in Chicago to attend the convention of the National
Afro-American Council, which begins its meetings today at Bethel Church, Dearborn and Thirtieth streets.
    Only women were allowed to appear on the program, the leading feature to which was a speech upon
"One Phase of the Labor Question," by Mrs. Josephine B. Bruce, widow of B.K. Bruce, once United States
Senator from Mississippi and Register of the Treasury at Washington.
    The greatest hindrance to the  prosperity and success of the colored man in the South as well as in the
North, in Mrs. Bruce's opinion, is the antagonism of the labor unions, which she ascribes to business jealousy
and racial prejudice.  But she thinks both of these strong factors in keeping down the colored man are being
gradually overcome,  particularly in the South.

MRS. TERRELL IS AGAIN PRESIDENT

National Association of Colored Women Divided by a Constitutional Question Coming Up
   for Construction which Decides the Control of the Body.

   The delegates to the convention of the National Association of Colored Women spent almost the 
entire day yesterday in electing their officers for the ensuing two years.  The result of the ballots
engendered not a little ill feeling, and it is feared that it may cause the disruption of the association,
or at least the withdrawal of a large number of the members.   To the surprise of all the delegates,
Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, who has been president of the association for the past three years, was
re-elected to office.  The new officers of the association are:
President - MRS. MARY CHURCH TERRELL, Washington.
First vice president - MRS. JOSEPHINE B. BRUCE, Indianapolis.
Second vice president - MRS. DR. M.P. PHILLIPS, Nashville.
Corresponding secretary - MRS. MARY LYNCH, Salisbury, N.C.
Treasurer - MRS. J. SILONE YATES, Kansas City.
National organizer - MRS. JEROME JEFFRIES, Rochester.
Chairman National executive committee - MRS. BOOKER T. WASHINGTON.
Recording secretaries - MRS. CONNIE E. CURL, Chicago, MRS. LILLIAN COLEMAN, Omaha,
Neb., and MISS CARRIE W. CLIFFORD, Cleveland, Ohio.
    The principal fight was over the office of president.  Mrs. Mary Church Terrell has given
general satisfaction and was the choice of a majority of the delegates, but according to the
constitution it was thought that it would be impossible for her to succeed herself.  In an
endeavor to re-elect her friends tried to get through an amendment to the constitution
on Tuesday removing the time limit.  The amendment was lost, and it was thought that
a new set of officers must be elected.

   Mrs. Terrell Held Eligible.
     When the convention was called to order at 9 o'clock it was decided to go into executive
session, and as soon as all but the delegates had retired the announcement was made that
Mrs. Terrell was eligible to re-election.  The constitution was adopted at the convention two
years ago, and the clause relating to the time an office may be held places the limit at two
consecutive terms.  Mrs. Terrell held that the clause could not be retroactive, and that the
officers then in office were eligible to re-election.  This was news to all the delegates, and on
a vote being taken for president Mrs. Terrell was re-elected, receiving 106 votes out of a
possible 145.  Her opponents were Mrs. Booker T. Washington and Mrs. Josephine Bruce.
     The election of the other officers went along smoothly until the ballot for recording
secretary, when the most serious trouble of the day arose.  Three candidates were placed
in nomination, and after several ballots a deadlock ensued between Mrs. Connie E. Curl of
Chicago and Miss Elizabeth E. Carter of New Bedford, Mass., neither being able to get the 
required two-thirds vote.  A motion was then made to elect by acclamation Mrs. Curl as
recording secretary and Miss Carter as her assistant.  This was carried, and Miss Carter
then arose and stated that she would not accept the subordinate office.  She said that
she was president of the New England League, and that unless that portion of the country
was properly recognized, all the clubs of the New England states, numbering over 1,000
members, would withdraw from the association.  Several attempts were made to pacify
Miss Carter and induce her to accept the office to which she had been elected, but she held
firm to her position.
    It was then decided to elect three recording secretaries of equal rank, and Miss Carter
was asked if she would allow her name to be used.  She refused and the election resulted
in the selection of Mrs. Curl, Mrs. Coleman and Miss Clifford.
    Last night's session was one of the most interesting of the convention and was given
over to a great extent to the discussion of the temperance question.  The discussion was
started by Mrs. Lucy Thurman of Jackson, Mich., who read an able paper on "The Relation
of the W.C.T.U. to the Home."
    Other papers were "The Temperance Reform of the Twentieth Century," by Miss Mary
Lynch of Salisbury, N.C.; "Practical Club Work," by Mrs. Emma S. Ransom of Chicago; "Jim
Crow Car Laws," by Mrs. Rosa Branche of Kansas City, Kan., and "Racial Literature," by
Mrs. Francis W. Harper of Philadelphia.  The evening session was interspersed with music,
vocal and instrumental.
    It was expected that the convention would conclude its business last night, but later it
was decided to hold a business session this morning, after which the delegates will leave
for their  homes.

Chicago Times - Herald Aug. 15, 1899
TO AID THE NEGRO
Women of the Colored Race Meet
in Annual Convention.
MANY CLUBS REPRESENTED.
Reports Made of Successful Work Accomplished--
White Sisters Address
the Delegates.
Colored women from all parts of the United 
States assembled yesterday morning in
Quinn Chapel, Twenty-fourth street and Wabash
avenue, at the second convention of the 
National Association of Colored Women. In 
addition to the 146 delegates representing 
forty-six clubs from sixteen different states,
many colored women who are not members
of the association, but who are interested in
the elevation of the race, were present as interested
spectators of the proceedings.
The morning session opened with a prayer,
after which Mrs. Mary Church Terrell of 
Washington, D. C., the president of the association 
welcomed the delegates. There was
some discussion over the seating of a number
of those who had forgotten to supply
themselves with the necessary credentials, 
when the president took the matter into her
own hands ad announced that according to
her interpretation of parliamentary rules
they were not entitled to seats, and therefore
should take no part in the deliberations.
Several of the delegates took exception to 
this, but were effectually squelched by Mrs. 
Terrell.

Addresses of White Women.
The morning session was devoted to the 
appointment of committees and the reading
of reports of the delegates of the work
done by the clubs which they represented.
At the afternoon session the reports of the 
delegates were continued and the topic, "The
Best Method of Establishing Schools of
Domestic Science," was discussed. It was
expected that Miss Frances A. Riley of Titusville,
Pa., would lead the discussion, but
she was unable to appear, and Mrs. S. Lillian 
Coleman of Omaha, Neb., read a paper
on the subject.
Three well-known white women of Chicago
spoke briefly during the afternoon session, 
Mrs. Corinne Brown, chairman of the industrial 
committee of the National Federation
of Woman's Clubs and vice president of the 
League of Cook County Clubs, being first. 
Mrs. Brown spoke of the necessity of obliterating
all questions of race from the work
being done by woman's clubs, both black and
white, and warned those of her hearers who
came from southern states against allowing
their children to work in the "infernal factories"
which were removing from the North. 
Mrs. Brown was followed by Miss Mary
McDowell of the Northwestern Settlement,
who told of the work among the negro race
which had come under her personal observation,
and urged that all women's clubs,
both black and white, join hands and work
together for the common good. The third
white woman called on to address the convention
was Miss Farson, district superintendent 
of schools. 
Clubs and Delegates.
The clubs represented and the number of
delegates each sent to the convention follow:
Delegates.
Tuskegee Woman's Club of Tuskegee, Ala....... [?]
Ten to One Club of Montgomery Ala .................1
Woman's Club of Atlanta, Ga................... 2
Athens Woman's Club of Athens, Ga............ 1
Women's Commercial Reciprocity Cite of Indianapolis,
Ind........................................ 1
Woman' Improvement Club of Louisville, Ky.. 2
Phyllis Wheatley Club of New Orleans, La...... 7
Afro-American Union of New Orleans, La.......1
Woman's Era Club of Boston, Mass............... 2
Willing Workers' Club of Detroit, Mich........... 1
Woman's Federation of Ann Arbor, Mich......... 1
Sojourners' Truth Club of Battle Creek, Mich.... 1
Detroit Improvement Club of Detroit, Mich...... 1
John Brown Association of St. Paul, Minn......... 1
Woman's Missionary Club of St. Louis, Mo....... 1
Wednesday Afternoon Club of St. Louis, Mo.... 1
Self-culture Club of St. Louis, Mo.................. 3
Woman's Club of St. Louis, Mo..................... 5
Orphans' Home Association of Louis, Mo...1
Palmyra Willing Workers of Palmyra. Mo....... 2
Woman's League of Kansas City, Mo............... 2 
Jefferson City Woman's Club of Jefferson City.. 2
Progress Study Club of Kansas City, Mo....... 2
Woman's Loyal Union of New York City.........2
Woman's Club of Rochester, N. Y.................... 1
Woman's Club of Omaha, Neb....................... 1
Woman's Improvement Club of Omaha, Neb....1
F. E. W. Harper Club of Pittsburg, Pa........... 1
Woman's Minerva Club of Cleveland. Ohio..... 4
Woman's League of Newport, R. I.................. 2
Coterie Migratory of Memphis, Tenn............... 4
Colored Orphans and Old Ladies' Home of Memphis, 
Tenn......................................... 4
Woman's League of Jackson, Tenn................. 2
Phyllis Wheatley Club of Nashville, Tenn........ 3
Woman's Mutual Improvement Club of Knoxville, 
Tenn.............. .......................... 4
Nashville Relief Club of Nashville, Tenn......... 1
Peoria Woman's Club of Peoria, Ill............... 3
J. R. Gaskin's Club of Evanston, Ill............... 2
Colored Woman's Federation of Chicago.......... 3
Progressive Circle of Chicago..................... 5
I. B. W. Club of Chicago ........................... 5
Ideal Woman's Club of Chicago .................... 4
Woman's Conference of Chicago .......................... 5
Wyman Circle of Chicago .......................... 2
Phyllis Wheatley Club of Chicago ................. 5
Woman's Civic Club of Chicago ..................... 23
National officers from different states ............... 18

The Evening Session.
Over six hundred people, mostly colored
women, were present at the evening session,
which was opened with a prayer by Rev.
A. C. Carey, pastor of Quinn Chapel. Among
those who occupied seats on the platform
with the president were the following, most
of whom are officers of the association:
Mrs. Josephine Bruce, wife of former United
States Senator B. K. Bruce, of Indianapolis.
Mrs. Lucy Thurman of Jackson, Mich.
Mrs. Josephine Yates of Kansas City, Mo.
Mrs. Annie V. Tomkins of Washington, D. C.
Mrs. Christine S. Smith of Nashville, Tenn.
Mrs. Jerome Jeffrey of Rochester, N. Y.
Mrs. Booker T. Washington of Tuskegee, Ala.
Mrs. Ellen Henrotin of Chicago, honorary 
president of the National Federation of
Woman's Clubs, was the guest of honor, and 
made an address in which she told of the
origin of woman's clubs in this country during 
the world's fair and of the work they 
had done since then. It was expected that
City Prosecutor Howard S. Taylor, as the 
representative of Mayor Harrison, would
make an address of welcome to the convention,
but during the evening word was received 
from him that he was unable to come.

Mrs. Terrell's Address.
The address of the evening was made by
Mrs. Terrell, the president, who spoke in part
as follows:
The National Association of Colored Women has
at this, its second convention, every reason to rejoice
and be exceeding glad. From its birth in
July, 1896, till the present moment its growth has, 
been steady, and its march ever onward and upward 
to the goal of its ambition. An infant of but
three years is this organization, over which I have
had the honor to preside ever since it saw the light
of day in the capital of the nation, and yet in
those three short years it has accomplished a vast
amount of good. So tenderly has this child of the 
organized womanhood of the race been nurtured,
so wisely ministered unto by all who have watched
prayerfully and waited patiently for its development,
that it comes before you to-night a child
hale, hearty and strong, of which its fond mothers
have every reason to be proud.
As individuals, colored women have always been
ambitious for their race. From the day the
shackles first fell from their fettered limbs till
to-night as individuals they have often, singlehanded 
and alone, struggled against the most desperate 
and discouraging odds, in order to secure
for their loved ones and themselves that culture of
the head and heart for which they hungered and
thirsted so long in vain. But it dawned upon us
finally that individuals working alone, or scattered
here and there in small companies, might be
never so honest in purpose, so indefatigable in
labor, so conscientious about methods, and so wise
in projecting plans, they would nevertheless accomplish
little compared with the possible achievement 
of many individuals, all bonded strongly together
throughout the entire land, with heads and
hearts fixed on the same high purpose and hands
joined in united strength. As the result of a general
realization of this fact, the National Association 
of Colored Women was born.
Though we are young in years and have been 

Success Crowns Its Work.
If in the short space of three years the national
association had done nothing but give an impressive
lesson in the necessity for and the efficacy 
of organization it would have proved its reason for 
existence and its right to live. But severely handicapped
though we have been, both because of 
lack of experience and lack of funds, our efforts
have for the most part been crowned with success.
In the kindergartens established by some of our

organizations children have been cultivated and
trained. A sanitarium with a training school for 
nurses has been set on such a sound foundation in
a southern city and has given such abundant proof
of its utility and necessity that the municipal government
has voted it an annual appropriation. To
our poor benighted sisters in the black belt of 
Alabama we have gone and have been both a 
help and a comfort to these women, through the
darkness of whose ignorance of everything that
makes life sweet or worth the living no ray of light
would have penetrated but for us. We have taught
them the a, b, c of living by showing them how 
to make their huts more habitable and how to care
for themselves and their families more in accordance
with the laws of health. Plans for aiding the 
indigent, orphaned and aged have been projected
and in some instances carried to a successful issue.
Mothers' meetings have been generally held
and sewing classes formed. Abuses like lynching,
the convict lease system, and the Jim Crow car
laws have been discussed with a view of doing
something to remedy these evils. In short, what
our hands have found to do that we have cheerfully
done. If I were called upon to state where I
thought the association should do its most effective
work I should say unhesitatingly in the home.
The purification of the home must be our first consideration
and care. In the mind and heart of
every good and conscientious woman the first place
is occupied by home.

Banquet to the Visitors.
After the evening session the ladies of 
Quinn Chapel gave a banquet in the lecture-room
of the chapel in honor of the delegates
and Mrs. General John A. Logan. The latter
was unable to be present and sent her regrets.
Mrs. A. J. Carey acted as toastmistress,
and the responses were as follows:
"The National Association," Mrs. Josephine
Bruce.
"The Club and the Home," Mrs. Booker T. 
Washington.
"The Club and the Church," Mrs. J. W. E.
Bowen.
"Our Guests," Mrs. Fannie Barrier Williams.
"Chicago," Mrs. Mary Church Terrell.
This morning's session will be devoted to
listening to the reports of delegates and the 
discussion of amendments to the constitution.
In the afternoon papers will be read 
by Mrs. Haidee Campbell of St. Louis. In
the evening the subjects of lynch law, the 
convict lease system as it affects child labor,
prison work and different phases of the labor
question will be discussed at length.

Plain dealer. Topeka, Kansas Thurs. Nov. 30, 1899
The N. A.C. W. 
The second convention of the National
Association of Colored Women,
recently held in Chicago, was a magnificent 
success from beginning to end. 
In the first place, it was more largely 
attended than the previous meeting
we held. There were 145 delegates in
all, and they were as earnest, well-poised
and intelligent a body of women
as have ever met together. All the 

MISS MAMIE FUMBANKS.
MRS. W. W. TAYLOR.

great dailies of Chicago, without a 
single exception, complimented them
highly, both upon the manner in which
they transacted the business of the 
convention, and the way in which 
they conducted themselves. The Daily
News went so far as to say that "Of
all the conventions that have met in 

M OVERALL.

the country this summer, there is 
none that has taken hold of the business
in hand with more good sense and 
judgement than the National Association 
of Colored Women, now assembled
in this city. The subjects brought
up, the manner of their treatment and 
the decisions reached exhibit wide and 
appreciative knowledge of conditions
confronting colored people." In commenting
colored people." In commenting 
upon the delegates The Times-Herald
frankly admits "These women
of color were a continual revelation,
not only as to personal appearance,
but as to intelligence and culture. If 
by a bit of magic the color of their
skin could be changed to white, one
would have witnessed a convention of
wide-awake women, which in almost
every particular would compare favorably
with a convention of white-skinned 
women. I expected to see 
probably a dozen clever women," is
the way on white club woman expressed
it, "but instead of twelve, I
saw nearly two-hundred."  "It was 
simply an eye-opener."
We feel especially grateful to the
press of Chicago for the accuracy and
fairness with which it reported the 
proceedings of the convention. Nothing
could have spoken more eloquently
and forcibly for the success of our
meetings than the crowded house we
drew. Long before it was time to call
the evening meetings to order, there
was hardly standing-room in Quinn
Chapel, which is one of the largest churches in Chicago, while at the business 
sessions held in the morning and 
a part of the afternoon it was more
than comfortably filled with interested
spectators. It was particularly gratifying 
to see the way the men enjoyed
it and to hear the compliments showered 
upon the officers and delegates
for the business-like methods we pursued 
in all our deliberations. The 
women in the Chicago clubs had done
all in their power to make  the meeting
a success before we came, so that
when we arrived everybodywas prepared
to receive us with open arms, so
to speak.
We confined ourselves exclusively 
to the discussion of those questions
which affect us most deeply and directly 
as a race.
The first afternoon we talked about
the best methods of establishing schools
of domestic science. As the association 
is the only national body of colored
women in the country, we feel that
we should study the labor question 
carefully and conscientiously. We 
[?t] to do something to arouse our 
men and women to the alarming rapidity 
with which they are losing
ground in the world of labor ; we want
to make our girls, and boys, too, for 
that matter, so skilled in the trades
and so proficient in every avocation
in which they may engage that instead 
of being boycotted, as they now are in
some sections of the country, they will
be eagerly sought for and be well paid
for their services. Why the National
Association should devise ways and 
means for establishing kindergartens 
was the subject of discussion the second
afternoon. "The hope of the 
race lies in the children." was the burden 
of our song. "If the association
did nothing else but try to save the 
children its mission would be more
than nobly fulfilled," was the sentiment
of the entire convention. The 
Labor Question, the Convict Lease
System, as it affects Child Nature,
Temperance, the Necessity of an Equal
Moral Standard for Men and Women, 
and the Jim Crow Car Law were
ably treated by women who have made
a special study of these various themes.
Several women of the dominant race,
who are known throughout the length
and breadth of the land, attended our
meetings and spoke enthusiastically of 
the wonderful work we have already
accomplished, and encouragingly of 
what we may hope to do, Mrs. Ellen
Mary Henrotin, h o n o r a r y pre-

[*Plaindealer 11-30-99*]                     [*2d Sheet*]
ident of the National Federation 
of Women's Clubs, stayed in Chicago
expressively to deliver an address 
of welcome in the name of this great
body of women.  We were both inspired
and encouraged by the remarks of
Mrs. Corinne Brown, chairman of the 
Industrial Committee of the National
Federation of Women's Clubs and
vice-president of Cook county clubs;
of Miss Mary McDowell of the Northwestern
settlement, and of Miss Elizabeth 
Farson, the only woman superintendent
among severn in the public
schools of the city of Chicago.  Miss
McDowell invited several of the officers
to lunch with her, and so did 
Miss Jane Addams of Hull House
In commenting upon this, The Times-
Herald says:  "The 'color line' was
given another good line yesterday by
Miss Jane Addams, of Hull House,
who entertained at luncheon a party
of colored women.  The guests included
in 'this little social departure' were
for the most part prominent out-of-
town delegates to the convention of the
National Association of Colored Women,
which had just closed in this city.
After luncheon, at which Hull House
residents were also present, another
party of twenty-five women came to 
inspect this social settlement.  They
were shown all about by the residents,
evincing a great interest in every department.
'We were impressed,'
said one of the residents later in the 
afternoon, 'with the intelligence of
these colored women.  They inspected
the settlement understandingly
and poured in on us as many interested
questions as we could answer.'" "This is
the first time," says The Herald, "that
colored women have been given decided 
recognition in a social way by a 
woman of lighter skin."  One of
the dailies declared that when Miss 
Adams invited the delegates to the 
National association of Colored Women
to lunch with her, it was the 
whitest thing she ever did.
In commenting upon our convention
an editorial in The Inter-Ocean
reads as follows:  "Kassandria Vivaria,
writing in The North American
Review for August, of the International
Congress of Women that met a 
few weeks ago in London, says blunty:
'It does not appear that this great
meeting has marked any considerable
or lasting step in the devlopment of 
women's intelligence.'" "She was disappointed,"
says The Inter-Ocean, "at 
the automatic succession of vague,
lifeless speeches.  As she sat through 
meeting after meeting the conviction
dawned upon her that there was something
young and amateurish and [???]
[???? young and ??????????????]
less in the papers read, and her final
conclusion was that the work of the 
Congress was in no way helpful to
the millions of women who needed
help."  "Nothing like this," continued
The Inter-Ocean, "could be said
of the National Association of Colored
Women at its sessions in this city.
These women have not been promoting
hobbies or whims or theories, but
have been planning exactly how the
unfortunate of the colored race are to
be better educated, better clothed, and
better fed.  If but one kindergarten
were to be the result of their meeting
--and instead of one there is likely to
be a hundred--they would have accomplished
more for their kind than
did the whole much trumpeted International 
Congress of Women in London."
The Chicago Tribune said:
"The four days' convention in this
city of the colored women's clubs represents
a movement which does the
greatest credit to their people.  It is
a remarkable evidence on the part of
the more favored and more educated
colored women of the country of an
intelligent purpose to do their part in
the common advancement of their 
race.  Their efforts are calculated to
command public respect and cannot
fail to have in many ways afar-reaching
influence."  After speaking more 
at length of the good work we have
done, it continues:  "That within a
single generation since the war which 
gave freedom to the race such a gathering
as this should be possible means
a great deal.  Could Abraham Lincoln
have looked in upon the nearly 
two-thousand people crowded into the 
Quinn Chapel the other evening and
seen the representatives of the race he
emancipated and listened to the addresses,
said to have been so admirably
spoken, of the president of the 
Convention, Mrs. Terrell, Mrs. Booker
T. Washington, Mrs. Jeffrey, Mrs. B.
K. Bruce, Mrs. Thurman and others,
and observed their essential dignity,
evident refinement of manner, and noted
the breadth of the outlook for their
race, and for the country, it is difficult
to imagine some of the emotions
which would have stirred him, especially
in view of their so clear apprehension
of the real conditions of the 
problem before them."  One white
club woman said:  "After watching 
these capable colored women three
days, I never want to her another 
word about there being no hope for
the Negro.  Another thing, if the
Lord helps him who helps himself,
these colored club women will have a
Mrs. Paul Laurence Dunbar.
good long pull with Providence."
MARY CHURCH-TERRELL,
President of National Association of 
Colored Women.



[*Chicago Tribune Aug 17, 1899*]
MAY DISRUPT THE ORDER
ELECTION IN COLORED WOMEN'S
CONVENTION BREEDS TROUBLE.
Choice of Mrs. Mary Church Terrell
to a Third Term as President Meets
Opposition, and Miss Elizabeth E.
Carter of Massachusetts, Candidate
for Recording Secretary, Announces
the Withdrawal of the Northeastern
Federation--Results of Balloting.
Disruption is said to threaten the National
Association of Colored Women's Clubs as a 
result of the election of officers at the convention
yesterday, when Mrs. Mary Church
Terrell was chosen for her third term as
President.  The trouble culminated toward
the close of the session when Miss Elizabeth
E. Carter of New Bedford, Mass., who had 
been a candidate for the office of Recording
Secretary, announced her determination to
leave the association, saying she had been
instructed by the Northeastern Federation
of Colored Women's Clubs to announce its
withdrawal in case it did not secure representation
among the officers.
This announcement caused a commotion,
and every effort was made to have Miss 
Carter reconsider her determination, but 
without avail. As a compromise it was determined
to elect three Recording Secretaries, all having the 
same rank and authority, but Miss Carter refused to
be satisfied with this plan.
"There is a certain dignity that goes with womanhood
that I must assert and which prohibits my acceptance
of a position which is evidently created expressly for 
the occasion," she said. 
   Squabble Over Election. 
The reelection of Mrs.Terrell as President occasioned
much dissatisfaction.  It was declared Mrs. Terrell had 
said repeatedly that she would never accept a third 
term unless she was elected unanimously and some
of the delegates insisted that she showed bad faith
in her acceptance of the Presidency in as much as the
election was not unanimous. Mrs. Terrell is personally
popular among the delegates, but there were some
who opposed her reelection on constitutional grounds. 
She had held the office for two terms. 
 When the convention went into executive session in the 
morning it was learned that Mrs. Terrell had reconsidered 
her determination not to run and the New England delegates,
who were especially antagonistic to her reelection, insisted
that she resign the chair, which she did in favor of Mrs. Lucy
Thurman, the Vice President. When the nominations were 
made Mrs. Terrell's name was offered and her friends 
declared that as the constitution of the association had only
been framed two years ago and as her second term had then
commenced it could not apply to her first term, as, if it did, it 
would be retroactive. There was a strong opposition, but Mrs. 
Terrell friends carried their point and she was reelected. 
The opposition was divided, there being five candidates other 
than Mrs. Terrell. They were Mrs. J. B. Bruce, Mrs. Booker T. 
Washington, Mrs. Lucy Thurman, Mrs. Josephine St. Pier Ruffin,
and Mrs. J. Sailon Yates. 
        Other Officers Chosen.
Mrs. Josephine B. Bruce of Indianapolis was elected First Vice 
President, Mrs. Lucy E. Phillips of Jackson, Tenn., Second Vice
President, Mrs. Mary Lynch of Salisbury, N. C., Corresponding 
Secretary, Mrs. J Sailon Yates of Kansas City Treasurer, Mrs. 
Jerome Jeffries of Rochester, N. Y., National Organizer, and 
Mrs. Booker T. Washington of Tuskegee, Ala., chairman of 
the National Executive committee. 
 Ballot on Recording Secretary. 
There were three candidates for the office of recording 
secretary----Mrs. Connie A. Curl of Chicago, Miss Elizabeth
E. Carter of New Bedford, and Mrs. Mary Sutton of Pittsburg. 
Mrs. Sutton withdrew on the first ballot. Mrs. Curl was given
the solid support of the Chicago delegation. At the end of the
three ballots Mrs. Carter had fifty nine votes to Mrs. Curl's 
eighty-one, ninety-four being necessary to a choice. As there
seemed to be no chance of breaking the deadlock, a motion
that Mrs. Curl be declared elected by acclamation was carried.
Then it was suggested that the office of assistant recording 
secretary be created, and that the one of the two candidates 
who had received the greatest number of votes on the last 
ballot be elected recording secretary and that the second 
candidate be elected to the office of assistant recording 
secretary. The motion was carried, and then it was that
Miss Carter refused to accept the office, and announced
her determination to carry the New England delegation
with her from the association. Various suggestions were 
made that the matter be compromised and some even
went so far as to suggest that Mrs. Curl resign in Miss
Carter's favor, but the Chicago delegation refused to 
permit her to do so, and the members of the delegation
declared that if she was forced from the office to which
she had been elected the Chicago clubs would leave the
federation. Finally, to avoid further trouble, Miss Carter
left the hall and Mrs. Cur was elected as first recording 
secretary. Mrs. S. Lillian Coleman of Omaha was elected
second recording secretary and Miss Carrie W. Clifford
was elected third recording secretary. 
      Mrs. Terrell Expresses Regrets. 
Mrs. Terrell said that she regretted the trouble that has
caused the withdrawal of the Northeastern delegation
and clubs, and said she thought that even yet a compromise
might be effected. 
A business session of the convention will be held this morning. 
Pittsburg is the probable site for the next convention. In the 
afternoon the delegates will visit Hull House to make a study
of the social problems of Chicago, and in the evening a farewell
reception will be given them by the Chicago members of the 
association. 
        In the Evening Session. 
In the evening papers were read on subjects pertaining to the 
social advancement of the colored race by Miss Mary Lynch,
Mrs. Lucy Thurman, Miss Elizabeth Carter, Mrs. Emma L. 
Ransom, Mrs. Rose Bowser Branche, and Mrs. Frances E. W.
Harper. 
         Council of Colored Men. 
The National Afro-American Council of the United States will 
meet at Bethel Church at 10 o'clock this morning in a convention
which will close on Saturday evening. Among those in attendance
will be Bishop Alexander Walters, D. D., the President; Booker T. 
Washington, Tuskegee, Ala.; Edward E. Brown, Boston; Bishop
W. H. Turner, Colonol W. A. Pledger, Atlanta , Ga. 
One of the most important matters to be presented will be the 
following proposed federal statute:
Whenever any number of men assemble together in any State 
or Territory of the United States with the intent to take the life
of any person who has been accused without due process of 
law of the commission of any criminal offense, by lynching, 
burning, cutting, maiming, or by taking the life by any unlawful
means of any person so accused; such act will be declared a 
crime against the government of the United States, and 
whoever is privy to such attempt or present aiding in the 
commission of such offense shall be tried in any United States
court, and, if convicted, shall be punished by death. 
And it is further enacted, that the government of the United
States shall have the right to interfere in any State or Territory 
of the United States where men assemble together for the 
purpose of lynching any person. 
Whoever shall tamper or interfere with or intimidate any witness 
who has been properly summoned to give testimony in any case
of said lynching shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than 
$1000 or punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary for not 
less than three years, or both. 


[*Chicago, Tribune Aug 17, 1899. 2d sheet*]
New Officers Chosed at the Colored Women's Convention
Mrs. Josephine B. Bruce
First Vice President
Mrs. Lucy Phillips
Second Vice President.
Mrs. Mary Church Terrell,
President.


[*Star. Sept. 2, 1899*.]
Convention A Success
President of  Association of Colored Women
Praises Its Work
Study of  Color Question - Other
Themes  Considered - Facts
About The Election.

Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, president of
the National Association of Colored Women,
which recently held its second convention
in Chicago, and who was re-elected at
that session, speaks enthusiastically of the
work of the organization and its possible
results.
"The convention was a magnificent success,"
said Mrs. Terrell to a Star reporter.
"In the first place, it was more largely attended
than was the previous meeting.
There were 145 delegates in all, and they
composed an earnest, well-poised, intelligent
body of women. All of the great
dailies of Chicago without exception complimented
them highly upon the manner
in which they transacted the business of
the convention and the way in which they
conducted themselves.
"The women in the Chicago clubs had 
done all in their power to make the meeting
a success before we came, so that when
we arrived everybody was prepared to receive
us. We confined ourselves exclusively
to the discussion of those questions
which affect us most deeply and directly as
a race. The first afternoon we talked about
the best methods of establishing schools of
domestic science. As the association is the
only national body of colored women in 
the country, we feel we should study the
labor question carefully and conscientiously.
We want to do something to arouse our
men and women to the alarming rapidity
with which they are losing ground in the 
world of labor. We want to make our girls,
and our boys, too, for that matter, so
skilled in the trades and so proficient in
every avocation in which they may engage
that instead of being boycotted, as they
are now in some sections of the country,
they will be eagerly sought for and be well
paid for their services.
"Why the national association should devise
was and means for establishing kindergartens
was the subject of discussion 
the second afternoon. 'The hope of the race
lies in the children' was the burden of our
song. 'If the association did nothing else
but try to save the children its mission
would be more than nobly fulfilled' was the
sentiment of the entire convention. The
labor question, the convict lease system as
it affects child nature, temperance, the
necessity of an equal moral standard for
men and women and the 'Jim Crow' car
laws were ably treated by women who have
made a special study of these various
themes.

Representative of White Race.
"Several women of the dominant race,
who are known throughout the length and
breadth of the land, attended our meetings, 
and spoke enthusiastically of the 
wonderful work we have already accomplished
and encouragingly of what we may 
hope to do. Mrs. Ellen M. Henrotin, honorary
president of the National Federation
of Women's Clubs, stayed in Chicago expressly
to deliver an address of welcome
in the name of this great body of women.
We were both inspired and encouraged by
the remarks of Mrs. Corinne Brown, chairman
of the industrial committee of the 
National Federation of Women's Clubs
and vice president of Cook County Club;
of Miss Mary McDowell of the Northwestern
Settlement and of Miss Elizabeth Farson,
the only woman superintendent among
seven in the public schools of the city of
Chicago. Miss McDowell invited several
of the officers to lunch with her, and so
also did Miss Jane Addams of Hull House.


"Of course we had our little skeleton in 
in the closet, as has every other organization,
whether big or little, good or bad -
whether composed of Anglo-Saxons or
Afro-Americans. There was just one discordant
not in our otherwise harmonious
meeting, and that was raised by one woman,
who was a candidate for the presidency, 
and who did not receive sufficient
votes to elect her.
"Although this is rather a delicate matter
for me to touch, I feel that in justice
both to the association and to myself I
should state the facts concerning my re-election.
I declared repeatedly before the 
convention  that I did not desire a re-election.
I was so anxious to impress upon
the delegates my reluctance to again assume
the presidency that I went so far as 
to say that I would not accept a re-election,
unless it were unanimous (which from
the very nature of the case I felt it could
never be). and even if it were, I stated
positively that I preferrred not to serve
again.

Constitution Not in the Way.
Most of the delegates supposed that the
constitution prohibited the re-election of
the officers who had served the past two
years. Indeed it had been stated positively
that this was a fact. On the morning of
the election of officers, after the names of
five or six candidates for the presidency
had been mentioned, one of the delegates
announced to the convention that there was
no reason why all of the officers could not
be re-elected, if the women wanted to retain
them.
"'The constitution,' she said, 'forbids an
officer from serving more that two consecutive
terms. As it was adopted just two
years ago at Nashville, and as our present
officers have served only one term since it
was adopted, they are all eligible for re-election.'
"I still maintained, however, that I did
not want a re-election, until some of the
officers who sat on the platform persuaded
me to go before the women and promise
to serve again, if I received the necessary
two-thirds vote. As the ballot was secret,
an no woman could tell for whom her
neighbor was voting, there can be no doubt
in the mind of any reasonable person that
the vote as polled showed who was the
choice of the convention for president.
When the votes were counted, it was announced
that Mary Church Terrell had received
106 votes out of 145. In other
words, there were only thirty-nine votes
distributed among the other five candidates
whose names were before the convention.
The result, I am proud to say,
was greeted with applause.

Corrects False Reports.
"I would not thus publicly recite in detail
the circumstances connected with my
re-election if false reports had not been
circulated to the effect that I was re-elected
president of the National Association
only after a long struggle and with great
opposition. I was very sorry that the
Northeastern Federation did not get an office.
 The convention tried in vain to induce
one of its delegates to accept a recording
secretaryship, but as she thought
it was created expressly for her, she declined
to accept it. I have every reason to 
believe that the Northeastern Federation
will not withdraw because it failed to get
an office at our last convention, but will
continue to be loyal to the association.
"As I have already said, our convention
was a success in every particular. In
speaking about the impression we made,
one of the representative citizens of Chicago
said we had done more to put our race
in a favorable light before that community
than anything the colored people had done 
for a long time.

"After telling how disappointing the international
congress of women was, because
of the vague lifeless speeches and the
amateurish, aimless papers read, which 
were in no way helpful to millions of women
who need help, a local paper said of
our convention: Nothing like this could
be charged against the National Association
of Colored Women at its session in
this city. These women have not been 
promoting hobbies or whims or theories,
but have planned exactly how the unfortunate
of the colored race are to be better
educated, better clothed and better fed. If
but one kindergarten were to be the result 
of their meeting - and instead of one 
the number is likely to be a hundred - they
would have accomplished more for their
kind than did the whole much trumpeted
international congress of women in London.

"The second convention of the National
Association of Colored Women, recently
held in Chicago, was a magnificent success
from beginning to end. In the first place
it was more largely attended than the
previous meeting we have held. There
were 145 delegates in all, and they composed
as earnest, well-poised and intelligent
a body of women as has ever met
together."

[*Chicago Tribune Aug. 16, 1899*]

THE CHICAGO EVENING POST
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1899

MRS. TERRELL RE-ELECTED.
Made President of National Association 
of Colored Women.

In evident fear of embarrassment during 
the subsequent proceedings, President Mary 
Church Terrell of the National Association 
of Colored Women, in convention at Quinn 
Chapel, Twenty-forth street and Wabash 
avenue, vacated the chair shortly after the 
opening of the morning session to-day in 
favor of Vice President Lucy Thurman. 
While the utmost good feeling appeared to 
prevail among the delegates, there seemed 
to be an anticipation that the election of officers, 
which was on the morning programme, 
might develop personal antagonism, which 
cropped out in a slight degree the previous 
day when the amendment to the constitution 
making it possible for Mrs. Terrell to 
continue in office was voted down by a small 
majority.
After Mrs. Thurman took the chair a number 
of reports from delegates and committees 
relative to the welfare of the order 
were heard.  The chair interrupted this line 
of work by saying that business was pending 
which might best be disposed of by the 
members in executive session, and upon motion 
an executive session was declared. 
Many visitors were present and Mrs. Terrell 
came forward with a tactful explanation 
that they would have to leave the room 
for a time.  It was the general impression 
among the visitors that the executive session 
was a ruse to make the slate for election 
without publicity, and that when the 
doors were again thrown open all semblance 
of dissension would have disappeared.
When the matter of the election of officers 
came up Mrs. Mary Church Terrell 
was re-elected president, although many 
predicted this action would not be taken.  
The balloting on the other officers was then 
begun.



MUST ELECT NEW CHIEFS.

COLORED WOMEN'S CONVENTION 
VOTES DOWN AMENDMENT.

Discussion of the Proposed Changes 
in the Constitution Occupies a Large 
Part of the Business Session--One 
Hundred and Forty-four Delegates 
Present--Expression of Views on 
Kindergartens in the South--Widow 
of Senator Bruce Speaks in Evening.

As a result of a decisive vote taken in the 
convention  of the National Association of 
Colored Women's Clubs yesterday at Quinn 
Chapel the association will be obliged to 
elect a new set of national officers today.  
The second day's proceedings of the convention 
opened rather late because of the late 
hour to which the banquet and reception of 
the previous evening had been extended.  It 
was some time after 10 o/clock when President 
Mary Church Terrell called the meeting 
to order, with a few words of apology and 
explanation for the delay.
There were 144 delegates, representing 
clubs in sixteen out of the forty-eight States 
to which the organization has been extended.  
The States represented were Pennsylvania, 
North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, 
Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, 
Iowa, Mississippi, Massachusetts, and New 
York. The District of Columbia was also 
represented.
Mrs. Lucy Thurman, Jackson, Mich., offered 
the opening prayer, and then the delegates 
gave five minute reports of the work 
done in their organizations.

Amendments to Constitution.
During the business session several amendments 
to the constitution and rules were 
discussed.  [*(*]The discussion over the proposition 
to permit the reëlection of the association's 
national officers indefinitely was 
argued and fought at great length. When 
the vote finally was taken the proposed 
amendment to the constitution was defeated 
by a decisive majority, and as a result of 
that ballot, the association will be obliged to 
elect an entirely new set of national officers 
today.[*)*]
No sooner had the important amendment 
been defeated than new trouble sprang up 
over a proposed change in the constitution 
which would impel all local organizations 
wishing a [??????on] to the national association 
to appeal through the national organizer 
instead of through the State organizers, as 
at present.  Mrs. Terrell got so near to the 
settlement of the new trouble as to take a 
vote on it, when the delegates from all 
parts of the church arose to ask for explanations 
of the amendment and the result 
of the vote was not announced, the convention 
adjourning for luncheon.
The fights over the proposed amendments 
to the constitution had been so vigorous 
that [*(*]the morning session had extended half 
way through the afternoon., it being 3 
o'clock instead of noon when the recess was 
taken.[*)*]
Mrs. Helen M. Barker, National Treasurer 
of the W. C. T. U., opened the afternoon 
session with prayer.

In Behalf of Kindergartens.
Mrs. Haidee Campbell of St. Louis read 
a strong argument in behalf of the establishing 
of kindergartens by the influence 
of the National Association of Colored Women.  
The discussion on the subject was led 
by Mrs. Ida J. Jackson of Jefferson City, 
Mo., and by Mrs. Lucy Phillips of Jackson, 
Tenn.
 Most of the speakers favored the establishment 
of kindergartens in the Southern 
States.  As there seems to be little hope 
of such schools being started by the States 
themselves the only hope of getting them
lies in the influence and contributions of 
the National Association of Colored Women.
During the progress of the discussion 
pamphlets were offered for sale which contained 
a speech delivered by the President, 
Mrs. Terrell, and the proceeds of which 
were devoted to the kindergarten fund, that 
the delegates say they intend to start.

At the Evening Session.
[*(*]Quinn Chapel was crowded to the doors 
long before 8 o'clock p.m., the hour at which 
the evening meeting of the convention 
opened.  Many men were scattered through 
the audience, and on the platform were many 
colored men of national prominence, who 
have arrived in Chicago to attend the convention 
of the National Afro-American 
Council, which begins its meetings today at 
Bethel Church, Dearborn and Thirtieth 
streets.[*)*]
Only women were allowed to appear on 
the program, the leading feature of which 
was a speech upon "One Phase of the Labor 
Question," by Mrs. Josephine B. Bruce, 
widow of B. K. Bruce, once United States 
Senator from Mississippi and Register of the 
Treasury at Washington.
The greatest hindrance to the prosperity 
and success of the colored man in the 
South as well as in the North, in Mrs. Bruce's 
opinion, is the antagonism of the labor unions, 
which she ascribes to business jealousy 
and racial prejudice.  But she thinks both 
of these strong factors in keeping down the 
colored man are being gradually overcome, 
particularly in the South. 



[*Minneapolis Times. Nov 15, 1900*]

THEIR WORK 
IS REVIEWED

Important Reports Made 
to the Women's 
Council.

A Discussion of Woman's 
Work in All Its 
Phases.

All the Organizations Are 
Represented by Their 
Leaders.

Roused to the spirit of the hour and the 
occasion, the women who spoke on the 
platform at the meeting of the National 
Council of Women last evening, in the 
Unitarian church, duly electrified the 
audience with their rousing words and inspired 
them with the serious issues which 
they presented.  There was the daughter 
of Africa pleading for the right for her 


REV. ANNA GARLIN SPENCER, 
Corresponding Secretary of National 
Council of Women.

nation to live; the descendant of that 
people whose history is writ in the sacred 
book, telling how the Jewish women of 
to-day gather the youth of the nation 
to study and of the philanthropic work 
done by them.  Before them all stood 
the woman who has been chosen by the 
world to represent the women of all nations 
and beliefs, Mrs. May Wright Sewell, 
president of the International Council of 
Women, summing up from her broader 
outlook the forces that go into "the stream 
of tendency that makes for righteousness" 
in things concerning women, and laughingly 
telling the audience that one of the 
thing to be earnestly prayed for is:
"O, wad some power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us."

Mrs. Sewell claims that the greatest 
thing that councils have done is to enable 
women to get acquainted with one another 
and to come to know vitally those who 
"are not of our kind."  Rich and rare 
were the half sarcastic utterances in 
which Mrs. Sewell indulged as she held 
up to view the picture of byways in which 
"our kind" wander while learning to "see 
oursels as ithers see us."  "Incorporated 
in the constitution of the Woman's Council," 
said Mrs. Sewell, "is the command: 
'Do unto others as you would that they 
should do unto you,' because the women 
composing this body believe that this saying 
is not for the home only, but for the 
broad world, and not made to believe simply,
but made to be acted upon.
"Upon the platform, as you can see for 
yourselves, to-night may sit together Jew 
and Gentile, brunette and blonde, with no 
arrogance on the one hand and no fear 
on the other, the nominally lost and the 
nominally saved, the different kinds learning 
what the other has to give them."
"All things can be viewed variously,"
 said Mrs. Sewell.  "I have recently received 
a letter from New Zealand in which 
the women of the Woman's council there 
assure me they debated long whether to 
join the International council or not, 
when they learned that women belonging 
to it were not enfranchised women, 
but out of charity they have concluded 
to join that they may lift us to a level 
of peers with themselves."

[*X*] Work Among the Colored. [*X*]
In quite another vein was the speech 
of Mrs. Mary Wright Terrell, president 
of the National Colored Woman's association, 
who spoke with the fervor born of 
oppression and an eloquence inherent in 
her race, coupled with a rare intelligence 
and clear reasoning.
"The advance that colored women have 
made," said Mrs. Terrell," should be 
measured rather from the depths from 
which she has come than by the heights 
to which her sisters of the dominant race 
have attained with their hundreds of years 
of culture and advantage behind them."
She traced with a skillful touch the 
path from serfdom, saying "It is less 
than forty years since the colored woman 
emerged from a state which put a premium 
on immorality and made chastity 
impossible, and even now, save in few 
cases, the vocations which are open to 
women of the dominant race are closed 
to colored women, so that they are able 

to eke out the scantiest living even if she 
have but one drop of African blood in her 
veins.  We are not only hampered by our 
sex, we are hampered by our race.
"The cry of the Colored Woman's council 
is homes, more homes, better homes, 
purer homes, and if women of the dominant 
race need mother's congresses, how 
much more do we need them?
"We are working for the abolition of 
Jim Crow car law, the building of day 
nurseries, the schooling of women for 
domestics, and the establishment of kindergartens.  
Our motto is 'Lifting as We Climb.'  We 
ask no favor because of our 
color nor patronage because of our needs."
Mrs. Hannah Solomon, president of the 
Jewish Women's council, gave a partial 
report of the work in the afternoon, and 
a fuller one in the evening.  She said in 
part:
"Our work is planned by five committees, 
religion, Sabbath schools, philanthropy, junior 
sections and reciprocity.  In charity the 
Jew stands foremost among the peoples of 
the earth.  I believe that I am not only repeating 
a well-known fact that Jews contribute 
a larger per cent of their means for
charitable purposes than do any others.  I 
believe that if every cent now given to a 
thousand and one small colleges were given 
to our public schools, or directly to philanthropic 
organization, the standard of character 
would be raised tenfold. 
I do not underestimate the value of education.  
It is the greatest preventative force that we 
know, but I must agree with the socialists 
that our most serious problems are economic.  
Outside of prisons the only redress for the 
evils of society are in the philanthropic 
movements, and I count him the best citizen 
whose money flows most freely into the coffers 
of charity.
Dr. Cora Smith Eaton, in summing up 
the aspects of the National Woman's Suffrage 
association for the president, Mrs. 
Carrie Chapman Catt, who was unavoidably 
absent, said: "The personal liberty 
now conceded to women has been the 
greatest achievement of the woman movement.  
Almost every privilege the women 
of to-day have they owe to the National 
Woman's Suffrage association."
Mrs. D. Phillipps Glazier, President of 
the Rathbone Sisters of the World, reported 
that the organization has been in 
existence seven years; that it has temples 
in nearly all the states in the union, and 
will soon have one in Hawaii, that there 
are 10,042 members; that during the year 
the income has been $64,014.32.  They are 
founding an orphans' home, to which a 
percentage of all the money received is 
paid, and the society will soon be able 
to support all orphans.  In 1989 an insurance 
branch was added, which is on 
a firm financial basis.
A vocal solo was sung by Mrs. W. C. 
Crops, and a piano solo was given by Miss 
Emil.  A telegram was received from Alfred 
H. Love, president of the peace commission, 
congratulating the women on 
their work.

Afternoon Session.
In the afternoon Mrs. E. B. Granis, 
president of the National Christian League 
for the Promotion of Social Purity, reported 
among other things that the organization 
contained as many men as 
women, and had made marked progress. 
Mrs. Emmeline Wells, second recording 
secretary, reported that the National 
Woman's Relief society was doing 
great things in Utah.  In Salt Lake 
City there are splendid buildings owned 
by the society and in several of the other 
towns in the state there are new buildings 
and others in process of erection.
Miss Matae Cleveland gave a most interesting 
account of the National Association 
of Business Women, which began in 
the Association of Stenographers and 
merged into a great club which as elegant 
headquarters in the city of Chicago 
and several other cities, one of the many 
important services it renders being to furnish 
employment for members.
Mrs. I C Manchester, president of the 
National Association of Loyal Women of 
America, read a paper setting forth the 
aims of the society, which was mainly 
directed against expansion. 
Mrs. Mary. L. Carr, president of the 
Woman's Relief Corps, reviewed the work 
done by the society, which is one of the 
widest charities in the union.
Mrs. Anna Garlin Spencer will remain 
after the convention and will lecture at 
the Johnson School of Music Friday evening 
on "Building the Family." The lecture 
is free.
A luncheon will be given by the Rev. and 
Mrs. Clarence Swift to-day, for Mrs. 
Terrill and the Oberlin graduates in town.

[* Sunday Tribune, Nov. 18, 1900.
Minneapolis, Minn. *]
A GEM OF MOVING ELOQUENCE.
Last week's most notable event in our
city was the meeting here of the executive
committee of the National Women's Council.
The delegates embraced some of the
most prominent women of our country, and
the subjects discussed were of local, national
and world-wide interest.  The public
sessions which were conducted according
to strict parliamentary law, showed the
progress that American women have made
in a science once supposed to be the exclusive
province of man.
The afternoon and evening sessions which
were open to the public were of unusual
interest.  The addresses of Mrs. Sewall and
Mrs. Gaffney, presidents respectively of
the International and National councils,
were able, timely and eloquent and set
forth clearly and forcibly the aims of these
vast bodies of earnest, progressive women
and the work they have already accomplished.
While the addresses of all the speakers
were admirable in subject and treatment,
the palm must be conceded to Mrs. Mary
Church Terrell, the colored delegate from
Washington, D. C.  Mrs. Terrell is a woman
of refined, imposing presence, the wife of a
prominent lawyer, and a member of the
Washington board of education, her special
work being the establishment of kindergartens
for colored children.  Her husband,
like herself, was educated at Oberlin college,
that institution which has done so 
much for the uplifting of a down trodden
race.  Her subject was "The Progress of
Colored Women."  Taking for her text the
words "Lifting as We Climb," the motto
of the progressive leaders of her race, she
pleaded for justice to her people in eloquent,
impassioned language that moved 
many of her audience to tears.  In beauty
and refinement of diction, as well as in
impressive earnestness, her appeal was a
masterpiece of oratory.
She did not seek to exalt the virtues of
her race  She owned to a degeneracy born
of long years of ignorance and servitude,
and set forth the present disabilities her
people are suffering from the color
prejudice rife in the North, and almost a
mania in the South.  She demonstrated the
folly of expecting a race, but a few years
ago freed from slavery, to rise in one short
generation of freedom, to levels which the
white races have reached only through the
slow evolution of centuries.  Her ideas of
the elevation of her people conform to the
practical theories of Booker Washington.
There were two colored delegates to this
important gathering of the leading spirits
of a great organization which is formed
on broad lines, and admits no invidious distinctions
on account of race, creed or 
color.  Its enthusiastic reception of Mrs. 
Terrell was in striking contrast to the
treatment suffered last summer by Mrs.
Ruffin at the Milwaukee biennial, the national
reunion of the Federation of Woman's
clubs.  Mrs. Ruffin, a refined, educated
woman of Boston, who stood so high in
the intellectual circles of that city that
she was chosen by three of its leading
white women's clubs to represent them at
the biennial, was denied admittance as a
delegate, because, although she might have
passed as a white woman, she had a few
drops of colored blood in her veins, and
came as a representative of an association
of the race to which she remotely belongs.
We hear of a Massachusetts woman's
club which a few days ago withdrew from
the federation on account of its insult to
Mrs. Ruffin.  It is said that other clubs

will soon do likewise, and that the disrupting
wedge which has entered this great
body may ere long rend it asunder.  The
National Council of Women is to be congratulated
for its more catholic spirit and
its broader philanthropy.  


[* National Association Notes.  Tuskegee, May, 1901. *]
A SPLENDID TRIBUTE TO OUR
PRESIDENT BY THE MINNEAPOLIS
TRIBUNE.
A GEM OF MOVING ELOQUENCE.
Last week's most notable event in 
our city was the meeting here of the 
executive committee of the National 
Women's Council.  The delegates 
embraced some of the most prominent 
women of our country, and the subjects 
discussed were of local, national
and world-wide interest.  The public
sessions which were conducted according
to strict parliamentary law,
showed the progress that American 
women have made in a science once
supposed to be the exclusive province 
of man.
The afternoon and evening sessions, 
which were open to the public, were 
of unusual interest.  The addresses 
of Mrs. Sewall and Mrs. Gaffney, 
Presidents respectively of the International 
and National councils, were 
able, timely and eloquent, and set
forth clearly and forcibly the aims of 
these vast bodies of earnest, progressive 
women and the work they have 
already accomplished.
While the addresses of all the 
speakers were admirable in subject 
and treatment, the palm must be conceded 
to Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, [*the colored delegate from Washington, D.C.*]
the colored delegate from Washington, D. C.  
Mrs. Terrell is a woman
of refined, imposing presence, the 
wife of a prominent lawyer, and a 
member of the Washington board of 
education, her special work being the 
establishment of kindergartens for 
colored children.  Her husband was 
educated at Harvard College, while
Mrs. Terrell graduated from Oberlin 
College, that institution which has 
done so much for the uplifting of a 
downtrodden race.  Her subject was
"The Progress of Colored Women."  
Taking for her text the words "Lifting 
As We Climb," the motto of the 
progressive leaders of her race, she
pleaded for justice to her people in
eloquent, impassioned language that 
moved many of her audience to tears.  
In beauty and refinement of diction, 
as well as in impressive earnestness, 
her appeal was a masterpiece of oratory.
She did not seek to exalt the virtues 
of her race  She owned to a degeneracy 
born of long years of ignorance 

and servitude, and set forth the present 
disabilities her people are suffering 
from the color prejudice rife in 
the North, and almost a mania in the 
South.  She demonstrated the folly 
of expecting a race, but a few years
ago freed from slavery, to rise in one 
short generation of freedom to levels 
which the white races have reached 
only through the slow evolution of 
centuries.  Her ideas of the elevation
of her people conform to the
practical theories of Booker Washington.
There was just one colored delegate 
to this important gathering of the 
leading spirits of a great organization 
which is formed on broad lines, and 
admits no invidious distinctions on 
account of race, creed or color.  Its 
enthusiastic reception of Mrs. Terrell 
was in striking contrast to the treatment 
suffered last summer by Mrs.
Ruffin at the Milwaukee biennial, the
national reunion of the Federation of 
Woman's Clubs.

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