There are published in the United States to-day between 250 and 300 newspapers and periodicals devoted to the interests of the colored people. The prices of these, compared with the many other articles of luxury for which they pay so freely, are ridiculously low; and yet no field of labor for educated men and women of the race is so perplexing and encumbered with so many difficulties.
But among those who have made a success of journalism are the men and women mentioned in this chapter.
T. THOMAS FORTUNE.
Mr. T. Thomas Fortune, the best-known journalist, both among white and colored people, is really the pioneer among the colored journalists of the United States. He has labored as an editorial writer on the New York Sun for a great many years, and he is the only colored man whose opinions on important questions are published at length in white newspapers. His work on the Times-Herald, of Chicago, Ill., and other great dailies, has been the most creditable, and has been the subject of more liberal discussion than that of any other writer.
T. THOMAS FORTUNE.
Mr. Fortune's stand for right and justice to all classes of American citizens has endeared him to every man and woman who appreciates fair play. He is in Negro journalism what Charles Dana, Esq., is to white journalism—a leader. He has been publishing the New York Age for a great many years, and that paper is recognized to-day as the official organ of the colored people. Wherever Mr. Fortune goes he is always sought out by the leading newspaper and professional men and accorded a royal reception. I regard him as the most valuable man in his line living to-day.
E. E. COOPER.
Edward Elder Cooper is a man of Southern birth, full of vim, energy, enterprise and pluck. He is the founder of the Indianapolis Freeman, which attained a national reputation under his skilful management some years ago. He removed to Washington, D.C., in 1892, after disposing of his interest in the Freeman, where he established the Colored American, an eight-page illustrated newspaper. Mr. Cooper's strong point is as a business manager. He has had phenomenal success with the Colored American, among the solid business men of Washington, who know it as a safe, reliable and useful advertising medium. One of the great features of the Colored American is its portraits of eminent Negroes, which it publishes from week to week; this feature is a big card for the paper and is greatly appreciated by the masses. The Colored American is national in its scope and work and publishes the news from every section of the country. A competent force of Negro compositors and correspondents, which include some of the best writers among the race, make the Colored American a very desirable and welcome weekly visitor in the homes of thousands of the best people of both races.
