Evening star., 1867-05-11
LOCAL NEWS.

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first vice president in the chair, and MIR. F..
Ambush (colored) secretary, which was
denseiy crowded
MIR. Walker Lewis, (eolored,) chairman of
the nominating committee. stated that the re-
port was ready, ard MIR Curry (coIored) read
thereport, recon- mme n ding the following TIC ket:
For Alderman Zalman Richards; Tor Coun-
ciimen-John Il. Pfau, q. Alonzo Ste wart. and
Wm. RutherfOru for Assessor-Jo oshua Whit
ney. The report states that it has the unani-
nous approval OF the committee; that those
named ans wered satisfactorily the q uestions
IN the resolutions Offered by Mr.. Piper)
adopted by the club.
Mr.. G. NJ. Arnold moved that the names be
acted on separately.
MIR. J. Sayles Brown (wh ite) offered a pre-.
amhle and series of resoi utions, setting forth
that legislative recognition of mans right
to vote carries with 1t right to be voted for
providing that it is the duty of the Republican
party TO practically sustain this doctrine in
the ensuing election; that the position of the
party in washing ton, composed as II is chiefly
OF colored men, reg lures prompt action in such
nominations, lest a failure so to do should be
represented as a denial OF the expediency of
the colored man holding Office or sitting upon
juries; and instructipg the committee on NOM
nations to amend their report by substituting
the name Of some eligible colored man for that
OF one OF the persons nom mated.
Mr.. Brown said he had felt great deal OF
interest in this matter, and was in hopes the
Republicans would test this question ct the
coming election. The eyes OF the country were
now on the party In the District, and they
should not allow this opportunity to pass
without making this move, and 1t was their
duty here at the Capitol of the nation TO take
the lead, and 1t was to be hoped that in this
ward the lead would be taken and the honor
claimed. Congress demanded this step to be
taken, SO does the party, and he belle we'd he
spoke the sentiments Of the white Republi.
cans wnen he said they demanded it, ltis
urged by some that there is a provision in the
city charter which will DISC ualify a colored
man from holding a seat in the Councils and
he would make the Issue now. The coiored
man seemed inclined TO walt but he would
not, and he asked that the issue be made now
Mr. s. Mcfarland (colored) Don't think
itexpedient."
Mr.. Brown.-If we place colered man on
the ticket we can elect him.
Mr.. McEarland.-Don't see IT, Laughter
The Chair stated that Mr. Browns resoiu-
tons being eQuivalantto to motion to recommit,
mold.
Mr.. Ambush (the secretary urged that the
m Getting stand by the report Of the committed
stating that the recommend ndatfons were made
irrespective OF color, and they had done their
whole duty.
Mr.. John L. Pfau (coored) seconded the
motion OF Mr.. Brown and believed that this
was most impor tant question, which should
be fully discussed before action is taken on
the report of the committee. AS for the right
Of the colOred man TO hold office, he believed
the civil rights bill NOW honestly carried ouD
settled the question. and in effect amended the
charter. He hoped the committee would again
take the report, and they could act on il in a
few moments. He wished the question tested
IN the courts, and would court the oppor-
tunlty.
Mr.. l.. f. Dudley (white) said he was fully
impressed with the belief that under the civil
rights bill and the suffrage bill colored man
could hold office. and he would vote tor any
man nominated by the meeting, not asking
whether he was black or white. The COM
mlttee was composed mostly OF colored men,
The ticket if they had seen fit As thew had
made their report, he thought that their
wishes should be respected He was willing,
as the colored men were largely in the major
ity, and as they were the Interested party, he
was willing that the question should be- left
with them exclusively.
Mr.. ID. NJ Kelsey remarked that he had n
objection TO this move If it was practicable or
feasable. They should take things as they en-
lst and not as they ought to be. His desire was
that the word .'white" should be stricken out
OF the charter, but it was there, and Congress
had left 1t a bar to the colore6 man holding
office. The charter is explicit IN saying that
the members of the Councils shall be ssfree
white males" &c. This was the organic law
of the District and was binding. Before col
ored men can hold sffice this lion should be re.
moved. but 1t was still in the way and the law
was obligatory. He was glad to see that the
colored men were trying TO avoid this Lion.
The charter will expire In 1~6S, when Congress
will have 10 make new law, and will doubt
lecs make this rISht.
MIR. Brownies. wait for the lions to get
out of the way
Mr.. Kelsey continued, arguing that neither
the civil rights bill or the suffrage act con-
ferred the right 10 hold office on the colored
man.
Mr. Arnsld (colored) asked if there was any,
thing to prevent him, an American citizen of
African descent, from holding the Office of
President of the United States
MIR. Kelsey replied that there was not on
account of race or color, but that there were
certain qualifications to age, &c, re-
Quired. The charter of the city required an
Off ceh older TO be an owner of real estate, and
he asked how many colored men owned land.
fNoices-Thousands of them.
MIR. Arnold remarked tina: If they nominated
a colored man they could elect him.
Mr.. McFarland.-Thats so; but we don't
want TO go to war yet.
least impoltic, and asked, what will be the
result If colored man is elected!
Mr.. Brown.-We will get him in.
Mr.. keisey.-Gou should say that you will
contest il, and if you elect one the question
will remain open Tor perhaps year, ana we
" i'll lose one representative in the meantime.
Mr.. Ambush said that the committee had
done their duty; they had been fourteen days
at work, and now come in to the meeting with
the result of their deliberations, not saying
whether the nominees ara white or black
They did not consider the color, but only the
questions of patriotism and ability. ZAP
plause The report demands respect at least,
and the gentleman who had spr ung this ques.
ton should have done so before By some
and he should have raised the question there
[Applause, and cries Of "Bravo."l
T Mr.. Marshall Brown (colOred) moved to lay
the resolutions on the table
Mr.. Brown (white) said that he was salts
fled, but wished every one present to 60 on
the record. They could do as they pleased,
but he would 60 with the advance guard.
The vote was taken, and the motion to Law
on the table carried. ..--. -----
Mr.. Arnold desired 10 say that he would
stand hly the nominees of the meeting and was
in hopes that at least one colored man would
be put on the ticket. Misses Well, hiss me
down il you choose, but understand my po.
siton.
The Chair-The gentleman is cut of order
Mr.. Arnold.--I am speaking to privileged
question.
Mr.. Mcfarland objected.
The motion of Mr.. Arnold to vote on the
nominees separately was adopted, and Mr..
Richards name came up for the consideration
of the meeting.
Major Hall endorsed Mr.. R., as also did Mr..
Jos. N. Callan. The latter, however, stated
that Mr.. X had not done as much for the col.
ored people as he could have done.
Mr.. Mcfarland asked If Mr.. RS name ap.
peared on the rolls as a member.
: The Chair decided that Mr. X. was eligible
as candidate, whether he was member of
the club or not E.-t
The debate was continued for some time on
the question of ratifying the nomination, and
there was some opposition to it.
Il Mr.. Frazer urged that Mr.. Richards was
the right man-a friend Of the eolored man,
who voted for suffrage. 80
Mr.. Mcfarland remarked that he had heard
Mr. ardo of RAJ ha