Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-01-08
Meeting of the Colered Warhinsm.n.


ell, City Hall, for the purpose of receiving the
reports of the Committees on circulating the Pc
utions 10 Congress asking for the colored peo-
pie share in the public work.
The hall was densely crowded by colored
men. DR. BOYD, OF the Seventh; e. A. Stewart,
of the Second; J. Sayles Brown of the Fourth,
and Mr.. Heimlein. of the First Ward, were the
only white men present.
ne meeting WAS called 70 order by T.. :. At
kinson. of the Fifth Ward, on whose motion
Robert Thompson, of the First Ward, took the
Chair. Ananias Herbert, of the Fifth Ward,
was appointed Secretary.
Tine Char stated that they had assembled 20
perform one of those duties which became them
as freemen-to ask the law makers 10 give them
a share of the public work. tie spoke of the
services OF the colored men in the war of indie
pendence, and IN the late struggle, and as they
had aided in achieving the Independence OF the
country, and preserving the Union. they now
ask a chance TO work to earn their living by the
sweat Of their brow.
Reports of Committees were called for; when
w. II. NOEL reported 7ee names from the First
Ward; ". II. Pos.y, 1874 from the Third Ward;
Albert Manning. Si4 Seventh Ward: ID. Web
ster 1S6, (member of Mechanics Association)
Second Ward.
Mr.. q. w. Hatton stated the Fourth Ward
needed reconstruction, for he had not seen
petition in his neighborhOod.
Mr. Carter remarked that he had collected 128
names in the Fourth Ward.
Mr. j. Sayles Brown (white) said that this
should be the final meeting. and he was glad to
see such large number present. The objects
H.
work which properly belongs to them, and
there should have been lu,0tt0 names 10 the Pc
titiOns. There was no time TO gather up more
names, and the petitions should be gathered in
The Chair stated that distinguished Senator
and Representative had promised TO present
the petitions and use their influence to secure
the objects of the petitioners.
Mr. Marshal Brown handed in les additional
names from the Second Ward, and stated that
there was one other petition out with 10 names
upon IL.
Mr.. Posey reported that three petitions were
stiu out in the Tlird Ward.
Mr.. Garter, that all were out in the Fourth.
Mr.. j. 5. Brown hoped that tine papers
would be gathered IN and the business closed
up, and he moved that meeting called in
reference TO petitioning Congress they ad journ,
and the petitions be placed in the hands Of 4
committee.
Mr.. Atkinson asked if il would not be well 10
organize permanent meeting.
After conference II was stated that the
number OF names received was 2,7i9, which
added 10 the number heretofore handed in in
creased the number TO over 500.
MIR. Ambush moved that the names of John
Thomas Johnson and Samuel Proctor be added
TO the committee to present the petitions to
Congress.
Mr.. A Henderson, of the First Ward, asked
if John Thomas Johnson was a laboring man.
He did not want men who Were not seen once
in twelve months. but men who were in the
movement. They only heard of those who sit
in their offices from nine TO three IN their midst
when they wish 10 cast in a firebrand or when
offices or places OF honor are to be given out.
He wanted men 10 do the business who knew
what laooring men were. 1t takes a man who
knows how to pick cotton To represent the cot
ton picker. &c, and man who works TO rep
resent the worSingman.
Mr.. L. Ambush replied that johnson had
lifted himself mp from waiter boy and had
worked, but was not strictly a workingman.
He was q professional man--a barber. He Of
tered his name because he was man of con-
siderable influence. To say that either not
workiDgmen is n mistake. He had known John
son TO be teaching 4 school here when il was a
crime 10 teach the colored race, and living in
the schOoi-bouse. If he had not worked for the
interest of the race, he would like to know who
had.
MIR. Henderson asked when the petitions were
being placed in the hands of the committees,
why was not John Thomas Johnson's name
mentioned. 1t was not mentioned then. bur
when the hall il full then il is heard. He
wanted a man who would know him all the
time. not one who only knew him when il was
10 his own advantage.
MIR. ]. 5. Brown (white) said that if anything
more Is said II should be SAID briefly. II
foolish 10 object TO these names. They were
going TO call on Congress, and wanted all the
influence they could get, and johnson was a
man of extended influence. Ii seemed 20 him
that some were trying 10 set up aristocracy
of labor.
Sergeant George Hatton said that he was op-
posed to making themselves hobbies to ride men
IN conspicuous places. Mr.. johnson was a
good m&n-nOne better IN the District; but had
he attended a meeting! Let those who have
been acti We in the movement be selected. Where
is the Fourth Ward tonight No report from
there, because you sent the petitions to a man
on account OF his responsibility and intelli-
genCe.
Mr.. Atkinson asked if the cause would fall
10 the ground on account OF these persons being
on or off the committee. A voice. MOL If the
arlstOcracy are inclined TO stay away, let them
stay. Dir. Hatton-And keep them away.l
He urged that harmony was what was wanted,
and that bitter personal feeling should be drop
ped. 1t was fogyism in the highest degree. 1t
would not do 10 squabble about Mr.. John
son.
Mr.. W. II. Brown moved that A. Herbert be
added 10 the committee.
Mr. Ambush don't withdraw the names.
Mr.. J. Sayles Brown(to Mr.. w. II. Brown.)-
The chair said that many had the wrong idea
about Mr.. johnson.
Mr.. G.. W. Hatton.-I rise 10 a personal ex-
planation.
Mr.. Brown Here are some more names to
the Fifth Ward.
DR.. Boyd.-Mr. Hatton S remarks are not ger
name 10 the question.
Cries of question"
Mr.. Hatton ito the Chair. How do you re-
cOgnize some and wont recognize me!
The Chair put the question on the motion to
adjourn, and decided il in the affirmative
Cries OF mo, they didn't have il; division
and confusion generality
Mr.. Herbert finally succeeded in making
imself heard, and proposed 10 organize the
Workingmen's Association Of the District of
Columbia, and moved that Mr.. Thompson take
the chair; which was agreed 10. A. Herbert
was elected secretary, with l.. Ambush as as
sistant.
Mr.. W. III. Brown.-OTder is heavens first
law and the Chair is encountered. THE crowd
AZ this time pressing so closely on the Chair
that the occupant would not have been dis
cerned had he not held huge round of chair
IN his hand
VOiees-Cut yourself loose; clear the ineum-
branches.
Mr.. Herbert offered the following:
Whereas we, the colOred citiZens of the DIS
trict OF Columbia, have been deprived of the
privilege of obtaining work Of all kinds that
we are competent tn perform by the combina-
ton of the working classes of the whites IL is
necessary for us to adopt some plan whereby
we can get u share of the work OF all kinds that
is to be done both public and private; and we
ask for nothing but what is right and just
therefore, be 1T
RsSOIred, That we form ourselves into an as
ISOLATION TO be known as the Colered Mems
Working Association Of the District of COlum-
bia, and that a committee OF one from each
ward b. appointed 10 draft constitution tor
adoption of the association, and the said COM
mittee be appointed at this meeting.
Mr.. Henderson said there were TOO MANY
willing TO work, and let him decline.
Mr.. W. II. Brown nominal ID John Thomas
johnson, from the Third Ward
Voices Not ready YETI /" Is he here.
that's what L want 20 know ~ 'sQuestionI"
=. Let's see him %
The ChaiT.-Let's act as gentlemen for we
may expect to see these things in the papers to-
morrow.