Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-05-07
Fifth Ward Republican Club.

a Lireiy Ttne-f'ropOsition for Priaary Elec.
.ioa on tie 25Gk.
The regular weekly meeting of the Fifth
Ward Club was held last evening a. their hall
on North Carolina avenue, etween LIST and 2i
streets, the President, q. II. Holden, In the
chair, and ]. II. Mcknight secretary. The
meetiug was opened with singing aud PRAYER
by VIM. Brown. ST.; after which, a numo Der of
names were added to the roll. and collection
was taken up to deiray the necessary ex-
perses.
VIM. Mu,rhead, Of the executive COMMITTEES,
reported back the resolution offered at the last
meeting providing for a primary election on
the 25tn inst
Mr.. John r. Arrison hoped the resolution
would oe so modified as to provide that the
person receiving the highest number OF Votes
would be the candidate for Alderman, and the
three receiving the next highest number be de.
clared the candidates for Common Oouneil.
MI htxhson was opposed to the resolution.
ID X. Parker though. Mr. Atkinson had
talked the resolution to death in the executive
committee twice. and nov he wanted 10 talk i {
70 death IN the cluo.
Mr.. Atkinson thought the adoption OF the
resolution would be detrime ntal to the inter-
ests OF the Republican party in tins ward. A
great many could not read, and would not
know who they were voting for If man OBJ
noxious to the Republic IN party should &c. a.
nomination, II would be blamed on those who
could not resd. He thought the ballot system
Dan gerous to those who could not read. A m an
might have right ballot but /. mIgnt be taken
away from him and wrong one put in has
hands.
during the time Mr. Atkinson was speaking
there were frequent cries of that's So, stha.'s
true, and some confusion When ne had con-
Guided, several members underworld 10 ob-Sin
the foor, bu; finally VIM. IL. Hughes was rec
ogniZed. and addressed tue m tlng in favor OF
the resolution. If 4 man could not read on tla
25th OF May, he could not al the first NJ on
day OF June. lie hoped the resolution would
pass. A vo:ce-"We will keep you hoping
cries OF .'order, order."l The Chair gave notice
that he wouId not entertain business ua.iI or
der was restored
Mr.. Hug hes continued. He hoped those gen
tlemen who could no. read would voGa for the
resolu, ION, aud thus show that they knew what
they We're doing He knew good woutr come
out Of the resolution. A Voice.-"Eyil VIII
VIM. II. Brown, ir., said be was mortified.
A Noice.-.lt is the first time.''l
Mr.. Brown.-When the rebel army was cap
tured every man signed his mark. Tue ballot
was the palladium of liberty. 1t was an Insult
10 the intelligence OF the colorcd man 20 say
they did not know what they were doing be-
cause they could not read He came here to-
thought at first he would have nothing to saw
as he felt weak. A Voice.-"Very weak-1
MIR. Brown.-Tne Democrats had pol soned
TWO Presidents; inaugurated the greatest rebel
hon that ever existed; and, lastly, ssassinated
the beloved Lincoln. He did not want 20 be
called disorganizer, because he voted for the
disorganizer now, but when they had dirty
work to do they said Brown, you had batter
60 and do that" IA Noice.-s.Ain't the genrle-
mans time mp ri
Rev. Mr.. Reed was in favor Of voting nv the
ballot sometimes. There was great dtstiu ct,on
between written ballot and a printed one
Many could read printing but could not real
writing. All that was wanting WAS a fair
chance. and the coiored men had sense enoug
to know who they wanted to vote for. He
worked IN public office where Republicans
were employed, Who were watching this ward
Win int rest, and they said that it was thu
worst d,sorganiZed ward in the city, He hoped
the voting would be viva voice He hoped the
resolution would not be adopted.
Mr. Mcknight said the resolution came up
at the last meeting. IA voice.-.We know
that."l
Mr.. Mcknight proceeded to give history OF
passage thereof. Colored men ALWAYS had
voted right. and would do so now. Tue reso-
luton was for the benefit of the workingmeu
of the Fifth Ward. The polls would be ooen
from q. n. to 9 p. m, ana all could vote The
clerks would watch the judges and the Judges
would watch the clerks, and no one could be
defrauded. There was more safety In the bal.
lot than in the teller system.
The previous question was here called, and
great confusion ensued.
The Chair put the vote upon ordering the
seemed TO be equal. A division was demanded
and the CLUB refused to order the previous
question.
Mr. Nathaniel Evans moved to lay the whole
subject on the table; lost.
Great confusion again ensued.
MT. Charles Jones moved that further con.
sideration of the resolution be postpon ed for
one week, which was adopted by q small ma
JorIty. Adjourned.