Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-01-09
Meeting of the Fourth Ward Democrat
and ConSPr yafive Clnh.

az thtir nall, corner OF LIST and l. streets. In
the absence of the president, Mr.. Owen Thorn,
George q. Wilson, the vice president, occupied
The chair, and Mr.. John Hogan discharged his
duties as secretary
The following resolutions were offered by
Mr. Merrill:
two be- appointed 10 examine the reports of tie
reporters after the adjournment of each meet
ing.
I'd. Resolred, That a committee of five be an
pointed 20 invite visitors 10 attend the meetings
OF the club, and that the subject be published
once a week in advance OF each regular meet
ing.
I'd. Rtsolred, That the regular m ,etings of
This club shall be held semi-lnonthiy.
Mr.. Mcnamara objected 20 the adoption of
the first resolution, A. one of an unusual char
acter and which had never been introduced at
any other place that he had heard OF. 1t was
utterly impraeticable, and could not be carried
out. suppose We pass IL, how could IL be- ex
ecnted We could not read short hand, and
were We 10 get the reporters 10 read their notes
10 ns. they nigh; read them a they pleased, and
We could not tell whether they were literally
SO written.
Mr. Merrill defended his resolution on the
ground that he had been incorrectly reported
II the previous meeting. He then proceeded 10
read the publi>h he'd proceedings, and excepted
to the statement that he had expressed senti-
ments adverse 10 the rich man. He had AS
much respect for the rich man and his riches as
any other man, and could not conceive how he
could 30 far have been misunderstood As to he
incite the poor against the rich. lie was espon-
siblr for W hat he did say. but was not for what
be- did not say. IL the reporters. who came to
these meetings, We're not competent hey Shoufd
not come 10 them.
Mr.. Darby arose TO a point of order, and OBJ
iected 10 the resolution. lie hoped it would be-
Withdrawn.
Mr.. Merrill consented, and the resolution
was therefor, withdrawn.
Subsequently the subject was again preached
when Mr.. Hogan said that he thought the re-
,nrfr rtsyhY lot
OF the most disOrderly character. and richly
deserved severe criticism.
AIR. Mcnamara saw no objection 10 the ad-
mission of reporters. This was white mans
meeting. and there was no reason why the pro-
ceHding5 should not be made public The pro-
Greetings of negro meetings were all publis shed,
and he had NOT heard that they complained. Ii
was true that the report objected 10 was er-
roneous with regard TO the difficulty expert
enced in getting IA chairman Such was not the
fact; for There were a plenty members of the
club who were willing and competent To dis
charge the duties OF the office of pres ident In
order, however, TO avoid hereafter the ii fiicnlty
which was often encountered i'm SURVIVING the
places of absent officers, he would move that
the club go INTO an election of q second Vice
President
The frs Vice President tacting President,
defended himself from willful neglect in non
attendance. He had been there every uiobt
save one, and was resolved 10 be present when
ever IL was possible.
Mr.. Mcnamara eXonerated the Vice Presi
cent from all DIANE, ana dlsclalm"d any re-
nectlon upon him; bus sill he thou ght the sec
ton of the ward which the club held their
meetings ought 10 he represented in the execu-
tive offices and should therefore press his mo-
tion.
Mr. Darby inquired whether the Constitution
provided for any such office second Vice
Pres Ident.
In reply. Mr. McNamar., moved that the Con.
sutuiion h. read by the Secretary at every meet
ing.
The Chair thought such a course desirable
and would so order il.
Mr.. Darby called attention 10 the great lack
of interest which wa shown by members i'm
not attending the meetings OF the club There
was something more needed from members
than he mere Joining the association and paw
ing their dues. They should be p, esent az III.
meeting, and encourage it by an interchange of
their views and suggestions concerning the
welfare of the work for which they had enlisted
He therefore moved that no person be allowed
TO leave the meetings without first obtaining
permission from the President
MI Honlahan thought IL was the dutv of the
Sergeant-ai Arms 10 attend 10 this matter. Ii
not what was the use OF such an officer!
Mr.. Darby regarded IL the duty of the
President 10 instruct the Sergeant at Arm.
what Were his obi cations.
Mr.. Mcnamara did not think thar the Ser
: ons IRON leaving IN" meeting. He was only
la see that none but proper persons entered the
meeting, ana 10 insist upon the proper obscr-
vance OF order and decency.
Y
suit from the adoption OF Mr.. Darby's motion.
He wanted to see every one who had any pre-
tention~ TO beng white mans friend in the
meeting; and If they coud not be got there any
other way they ml-t be hauled in. To-day he
said. black man called upon him
and inquired If he could not ioin TN.
club He was opposed to the office OF Sergeant
aL-Arms. 1t would have an INJURIOUS effect:
for some persons who might otherwise attend
would not do 20 if they saw sentinel placed
at the entrance door. This club should he
cautious, and do nothing which could retard
its prosperity. IL had a heavy and responsible
work 10 perform; for the campaign would soon
open, and we wanted all the assistance we
could get.
After further discussion. Mr. Darby renewed
hi- motion. ana il was adopted.
Mr.. John L. Angel again called up the read
ing of the report OF the last meeting. and char
acterized that portion which stated that he used
the words internal negroes" = incorrect He
did not apply the word s:infernal' to the ne
gres, but 20 the Republican party-the Radi.
Gals.
Mr. Mcnamara referred TO the statement of
the President. that he had been called upon t,y
q negro, who wanted 10 Join the club; and stated
that h. had also been spoken to by a number OF
that color. who said that If they We're not per-
mitted 10 do 20, they would organize II Con-
sentative Climb themselves.
a member stated that one had already been
formed.
The Chair stated that the Colored man who
spoke TO nm Oh tie subject bore q very good
election hc represented hims elf as a secession
darkey and utterly opposed TO the Radicals
The colored man could not Join the club, how
ever, for il against this equality of the
races that the Conservative party was fighting
The suggestion for them 10 organize i'll separate
clubs met " ith his favor. their votes would
be serviceable in the approaching contest
This suffrage question WAS regarded by the
negro as big thing. He had seen IL stated
in some OF the Southern papers that many OF
the colored eUfiragans even thought The right
of su frage such glorious thing that they car
RED with them TO he polls baskets and Jugs TO
put Al in.
Mr.. Mcnamara thought that negro who
would proc lain himself seeessionist WAS nm
fiji for membership. His principles in this case
would be as objectionable AT his color
Mr.. Merrill believed III the negroes having
an organization of their own. They We're hu-
man beings. and should be treated kindly. Ii
the coIis' ryati W portion of them would form
separate club. he thought they should be en-
couraged. and for one h. willing 10 assist
them all that was in his power. He could not
however, consent TO their Joining the club of
which he was a member.
MIR. Honlahan disapproyed of the introduce
ton OF the negro subject in the meetings of the
club. That was matter " hlch belon ged to the
Congress of the nation and il lily became the
people of Washington, who had voice in
affairs outside OF the District 10 he debating for
the great Conservative party from Texas To
California. If there Were colored Conserya-
tiNes disposed 10 form a club he should b. glad
TO have their support in putring down that
hellish Republican party.
Mr.. j. Conner also disapproved OF the dis
CnSSiOu "a hich had taken nIapp We had mo