Page:The Afro-American Press.djvu/226

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THE AFRO-AMERICAN PRESS.

accordingly appointed a committee of three to perfect the requisite arrangements. These decided that the publication should be known as The Georgia Baptist, and designated Rev. W. J. White as corresponding secretary and general manager, with power to issue the paper.

The Convention having appropriated nothing for the venture, Mr. White organized a stock company, and bought an outfit for the paper and job office, at an expenditure of $2000. Soon he became proprietor and editor, which positions he still holds. The religious conventions, associations, etc., adopted it as their organ, and for nine years it has defended them in their creed and doctrine.

The first issue, October 28, 1880, consisted of one thousand copies, which have gradually increased until the average for the succeeding three months, ending January 1, 1889, was three thousand two hundred and forty. This paper goes all over the country and is circulated more extensively in remote sections of the state than any other journal. It goes also to England and Africa.

The Baptist is not, like some other Afro-American journals, a tri-weekly, but a weekly, and has not missed an issue from the beginning. It has never used a patent outside, nor does it use any plate matter. This is of course due to Mr. White's exalted idea of journalism. The paper has never changed hands, ho having been editor and business manager nine years.

Mr. White was born in Elbert county, Ga., December 25, 1831, and is accordingly, at this writing, fifty-seven years old. His education in the schools was acquired when he was quite young, but he is ever a constant student of men and measures.

He served as an apprentice under W. H. Goodrich, an extensive house builder, and he worked at the carpenter's trade for seven years, after which he learned cabinet making