After Negro Secret Orders
June 11, 1906
Summary
A new bill makes it illegal for people to wear insignia of any order of the Elks, unless the person is an official member.
Transcription
After Negro Secret Orders
The following extract from the Atlanta, Georgia Constitution explains itself:
“A bill introduced in the upper house yesterday by Senator Foy is calculated to deal a solar plexus blow to the Negro secret order of Elks.
This measure makes it a misdemeanor for any person not a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows or Ancient Free and Accepted Masons to wear any insignia of saif organizations. The clause which is believed to be aimed at certain Negro societies which nominate themselves “Elks” is that “no defense will be allowed in any prosecution, that the accused is a member of any organization other than those specified which has adopted an insignia as it own.” The Elks in many section of the country have gone into the courts with injunctions to prevent Negro Elks from wearing the regulation insignia and to prevent them from using any ritual which may be the same as the white order. A few months ago in a northern state, the supreme court ruled against the existence of the Negro Elks. A case of injunction is now pending before the Macon courts and action of the same kind has been taken up in Savannah.”
The following extract from the Atlanta, Georgia Constitution explains itself:
“A bill introduced in the upper house yesterday by Senator Foy is calculated to deal a solar plexus blow to the Negro secret order of Elks.
This measure makes it a misdemeanor for any person not a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows or Ancient Free and Accepted Masons to wear any insignia of saif organizations. The clause which is believed to be aimed at certain Negro societies which nominate themselves “Elks” is that “no defense will be allowed in any prosecution, that the accused is a member of any organization other than those specified which has adopted an insignia as it own.” The Elks in many section of the country have gone into the courts with injunctions to prevent Negro Elks from wearing the regulation insignia and to prevent them from using any ritual which may be the same as the white order. A few months ago in a northern state, the supreme court ruled against the existence of the Negro Elks. A case of injunction is now pending before the Macon courts and action of the same kind has been taken up in Savannah.”
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Contributed By
Emma Roberts
Citation
“After Negro Secret Orders,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed October 9, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/685.