The Press Convention.
Files
Click image to view file:
Document Viewer
Dublin Core
Title
The Press Convention.
Description
A report on the 1887 National Colored Press Association held in Louisville, Kentucky published in New York Age (August 17, 1887)
Source
From Gale. 19th Century U.S. Newspapers. ©2008 Gale, a part of Cengage Learning, Inc. Reproduced by permission. www.cengage.com/permissions
Publisher
New York Age
Date
1887-08-17
Type
Newspaper article
Scripto
Transcription
[PAGE 1]
THE PRESS CONVENTION Provision for a Special Meeting and Presentation of Grievances Before Congress. The National Colored Press Association at met Spruce Street Baptist Church, Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, the 1st, and was called to order by its president, Wm. J. Simmons, editor of the American Baptist, of Louisville, Ky. We take the following extracts of the proceedings from the very full account published in the Tennessee Star. The congregation joined in singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and prayer was offered by Rev. H. J. Europe of Mobile. Rev. M. W. Gilbert of Nashville was elected temporary secretary, the regular secretary, George F. Bragg of Norfolk, Va., being absent. George T. Robinson of the Tennessee Star was to have delivered the address of welcome, but as he was unwell, the address which he had prepared was read by Prof. W. A. Crosthwaite, which was well received. The address was responded to by P. H. Murray of St. Louis. Prof. J. H. Burrus of Alcorn University, by request, addressed the Association on the subject of "The Press." About sixteen papers were represented and President Simmons in his opening address expressed his regrets that the attendance was so small. This was the smallest convention yet held in its history. The Association elected the following officers for the ensuing year: : President, W. J. Simmons of the American Baptist; vice-president, H. J. Europe of the Christian Weekly; secretary, M. W. Gilbert of the Baptist Headlight; treasurer, P. H. Murray of the St. Louis Advance; historian, W. C. Chase of the Washington Bee. The report of the Committee on Resolutions which was read and adopted, consisted in part as follows: Resolved, That the National Press Convention hereby appoint a committee, who shall report on the religions, educational, political, social, and industrial condition of the colored people of the Southern States.
[PAGE 2]
Resolved, That this committee be instructed to make a list of all the murders, lynching, mobs and violence done to the race. with the names of the victims, names of the States, counties, city or town, (or country). Resolved, That a special meeting of the Press Convention be held in Washington, Feb. 27 and 28, and when Congress is in session, at which time this committee, accompanied by the entire Convention, shall appear before the proper committee or committees of both branches of Congress and lay before them our grievances. In order to make patent and forcible said petition we hereby order the said committee to print the petition and have it signed by not less than 1,000,000 of our people that we may show their sentiment. There were also resolutions protesting against any abridgement of the right of suffrage, recommending the advocacy of trades schools and purchase of land, declaring against the liquor traffic and requesting the trustees of the Peabody Fund to give colored educational institutions their pro rata.
THE PRESS CONVENTION Provision for a Special Meeting and Presentation of Grievances Before Congress. The National Colored Press Association at met Spruce Street Baptist Church, Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, the 1st, and was called to order by its president, Wm. J. Simmons, editor of the American Baptist, of Louisville, Ky. We take the following extracts of the proceedings from the very full account published in the Tennessee Star. The congregation joined in singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and prayer was offered by Rev. H. J. Europe of Mobile. Rev. M. W. Gilbert of Nashville was elected temporary secretary, the regular secretary, George F. Bragg of Norfolk, Va., being absent. George T. Robinson of the Tennessee Star was to have delivered the address of welcome, but as he was unwell, the address which he had prepared was read by Prof. W. A. Crosthwaite, which was well received. The address was responded to by P. H. Murray of St. Louis. Prof. J. H. Burrus of Alcorn University, by request, addressed the Association on the subject of "The Press." About sixteen papers were represented and President Simmons in his opening address expressed his regrets that the attendance was so small. This was the smallest convention yet held in its history. The Association elected the following officers for the ensuing year: : President, W. J. Simmons of the American Baptist; vice-president, H. J. Europe of the Christian Weekly; secretary, M. W. Gilbert of the Baptist Headlight; treasurer, P. H. Murray of the St. Louis Advance; historian, W. C. Chase of the Washington Bee. The report of the Committee on Resolutions which was read and adopted, consisted in part as follows: Resolved, That the National Press Convention hereby appoint a committee, who shall report on the religions, educational, political, social, and industrial condition of the colored people of the Southern States.
[PAGE 2]
Resolved, That this committee be instructed to make a list of all the murders, lynching, mobs and violence done to the race. with the names of the victims, names of the States, counties, city or town, (or country). Resolved, That a special meeting of the Press Convention be held in Washington, Feb. 27 and 28, and when Congress is in session, at which time this committee, accompanied by the entire Convention, shall appear before the proper committee or committees of both branches of Congress and lay before them our grievances. In order to make patent and forcible said petition we hereby order the said committee to print the petition and have it signed by not less than 1,000,000 of our people that we may show their sentiment. There were also resolutions protesting against any abridgement of the right of suffrage, recommending the advocacy of trades schools and purchase of land, declaring against the liquor traffic and requesting the trustees of the Peabody Fund to give colored educational institutions their pro rata.
Convention Minutes Item Type Metadata
City
Louisville
State
KY
Country
USA
Contributor
This transcription is the combination of work from more than 4,500 people who volunteered during the 2022 celebration of Douglass Day, held in partnership with Zooniverse.
Event ID
1887.KY-08.09.LOUI
Citation
“The Press Convention.,” Colored Conventions Project Digital Records, accessed October 22, 2026, https://omeka.coloredconventions.org/items/show/1673.