San Francisco Call, October 18, 1895

San Francisco Call, October 18, 1895

WILL ESTABLISH STORES.

SCHEME OF THE RECENT AFRO-AMERICAN CONGRESS ABOUT TO MATERIALIZE.

THE STATE COUNSELORS MEET.

DELEGATE HOUSTON OF BAKERSFIELD TALKS OF THE NEW ENTERPRISE.

The State Executive Council of the Afro-American League met in regular monthly session at California Hall yesterday. There were present the following members: San Francisco – T. B. Morton, A. D. Binford, E. T. Hubbard, Charles Middleton, J. W. Radden; Yolo County – S. L. Hagan; San Joaquin County – W. H. Brinkley, Dudley Sebree; Santa Cruz County – William Tipton; Santa Clara – Jacob Overton; Alameda – J. H. Hackett, W. H. Delaney, J. B. Wilson; Kern County – R. W. Houston, B. F. Wilson; Petaluma – J. W. Radden, proxy.

Routine business resulting from the recent congress was quickly dispatched, and then came the most important business of the conference, which was to consummate, if possible, the one feature particularly advocated by the recent congress – that is, the establishing of commercial enterprises to be located throughout the State, run by and in the interest of the colored people. It was unanimously decided to open mercantile houses in San Francisco, Oakland, Stockton, Los Angeles and Bakersfield, and a committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions to stock among the wealthy colored men in this City and the State at large. R. W. Houston of Bakersfield is one of the principal movers in the undertaking, and he talks confidently of the outlook so far as his immediate section is concerned.

“It is our purpose to establish mercantile houses in all the principal cities of the State,” said Mr. Houston, in explaining the proposition to the council. “In Bakersfield the first store will be started, this point being selected because of its agricultural advantages. I have canvassed the situation carefully and have talked with many of the most prominent white people of my city relative to the advisability of such a move. Among those seen may be mentioned Judge Conklin, D. D. Hill and President Tevis of the Kern County Land Company, and without a single exception they not only gave it their hearty indorsement, but assured me that the Afro-American store will receive at least a portion of their patronage.

“The capital stock will be fixed at $10,000, with the privilege of increasing to $50,000. In order that every colored citizen may feel able to subscribe for at least one share of stock it has been thought advisable to place them at $50. That there may be no feeling of distrust on the part of any of the proposed stockholders I will say that those who are placed in charge of the business will be required to execute a good and sufficient bond for the faithful performance of the trusts imposed in them. They will also be required to furnish statements of the business so often as to preclude any possible misappropriation of funds.

“Among those who have already subscribed may be mentioned T. B. Morton, our president; J. M. Bridges of Fresno, Charles Aukrum, Mathew Stevens, B. L. Gary, A. W. Vessel and myself, all of Kern County, and Jacob Overton, San Jose; Wiley Hines, Tulare; S. L. Hogan, Woodland, and William Tipton of Santa Cruz, all representative colored men, and among the wealthiest of our race. Several others have signified their desire to join in the enterprise.

The store or stores will be co-operative in their nature, and will be extensive enough to admit of a man buying anything from a pin to a threshing-machine. We also propose to run a blacksmith-shop and tailoring establishment.”

A committee of seven was then appointed to draft articles of incorporation, when, after passing the following resolution, the council adjourned subject to the call of the president:

Whereas, The Afro-American Congress adopted a resolution providing that the first day of January in each year be generally observed and celebrated as Emancipation day, therefore each local league throughout the State is hereby instructed and requested to take steps to celebrate in a fitting and becoming manner that day as one of greatest importance to the whole Afro-American race of the United States. It is also recommended that a collection be taken up for the John Brown and Frederick Douglass monument fund.

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