For Equal Rights

TUK A AMERICAN LEAGUE. Chicago, Jan. 17.- The session yesterday of the Afro-Amerioan convention at tho Madison Street Theater found 200 delegates present. V. A. Pledger, ol Georgia, was elected president, and J. H. Pelham, of Missouri, secretary. A long list of vice-presidents was also chosen. President Pledger read an address in ■which he said that the admiseion by the whites of the South that there was a race problera showed that the laws and constitution of the United States were not enforced. The race problem would have to be settled, he said, by the granting of justice to the colorad race, who were Americans and citizens under tke_ law, but who in the jjf-ient condition oí political affairs in the South were neither slaves nor citizen9. The last session of the day was devoted to the reading of Communications. Chicago, Jan. 18.- The delegates to the convention of colored men completed their work Friday. An Afro-American League of the United States was organized and oflicers were elected. A non-partisan article was placed in the constitución by an almost unanlmous voto. After a spirited discussion the convention voted to indorse he Blair oducational bill. The constitution adopted sets forth ihe objects of the league as follows: "The objeets of the league are to encourage all State and local leagues in their eflort3 to reak down color bars, and in obtaining ior the Afro-American an equal chance with others in the avocations of lif e, and to unite such branch leagues for organized and effective work in securing the f uil privileges of citizenship. "The objects of the league shall bo attained by the education of a healthy public sentiment through the medium of the press and pulpit, public meetings and addresses. and by appealing to the courts of law for redress of all denial of legal and constitutional rights, the purpose of the league being to attain the ends desired through peaceful and lawful methods. "This league is a non-partisan body, and any offlcer or member of the executive committee who shall attempt to use this league for political purposes shall be expelled. Any offlcer of the league upon being elocted to any political office or appointed to the same shall be compelled to resisnhis office in this league." The officers electea were as follows: President, J. C. Price, principal of Livingston School, Salisbury, N. C. ; secretary, J. Thomas Fortune, of New York ; treasurer, George H. Jackson, of Cineinnati; altorney, Edward H. Morris, of Chicago.