Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-01-15

nc NduonSI Convention OF Cotorcd Wen.
Yesterday, after our report closed, the fol-
iowiEg business Was transacted:
Colonies John W. Forney, A. J. Mcclure,
Hon. Samuel Merrill, Hon. James Moresy, J.
M Humphreys Hon. Thomas L Tuiloch, and
Joseph Warren, Esq, OF Troy, New York, were
elected honorary members.
Mr.. @. +. Downing. - chairman OF the Busi.
ness Committee, reported resolutions recsgniz-
ing the efforts Of the Republican party and the
FIeedmens Bureau in behalf Of the colored
tina; the great object to be accomplished now /,
some final measure BY Congress OF equal and
universal suffrage: that every voter, without
with con adencs, protec.ed, Il necessary, Sy he
broad sword Of the nation; and acknowledging
| further the gratitude OF the freedmen to their
aa;.ad ar snoss 10
the committee was received and referred for
further consideration.
Mr.. SpelmAn, Of New York, offered q reso.
luton shat q national committee, consisting
Of one from each State, the District Of Colum.
oia, ana the Territories represented here. be ap-
pointed, with the power hereafter to MI up
the committee with delegate from the States
not now represented here,) whose duties 1t
shall be TO take general charge Of the political
interests OF the colored people. in the same
way and for the duties that political parties
usually charge their committees with; and this
committee shall have power to appoint an ex-
ecutive committee of nine members, VINO shall
have power to appoint State committees
charged with the same general duties in their
respective States" Referred to the Business
Committee.
speech, and came for ward amid hearty ap
plause. After brief but eloquent address, he
was followed by Colone, Mcclure, OF Pennsyl.
wanna, who was also warmly applauded.
The Chair then announced q committee OF
one from each State to consider the resolu.
uoIs relative to the organization of a league.
MIR. Jno. +. Cook offered a resolution thai this
Convention hereby respectfully and earnestly
petition the present Congress to transfer the
property of toe United States, known as the
Arlington estate, and now in charge OF the De-
partment of War, to suitable corporators, one
from each of these United States, and one from
the District of Columbia, yet to be named. for
the purpose officiating thereon a self.suppcrt-
ing military institute, with competent educa.
Gators. Referred to Business COMMITTEE
Mr., Edward II. Davis, Of Philadelphia. made
a few appropriate remarks
Professor Bassett rendered his resignation a.
Chief Secretary. that be might more effectually
attend TO his duty on the Business Committee,
and Professor Sampson, OF Avery College, was
subsequently, elected secretary OF the Conven.
ton.
Mr.. Z. V. Clark offered a resolution con.
demnipg the course generally taken by the su-
perintfndents Of schools to discourage colored
ments in the city Schools, as well In the
rural districts. Referred to the Business Com.
mittee.
the many good deeds done by General .. d.
Howard, his name by added to the list of non.
orary members. Carried.
Adjourned TO $50 p. m.
At the evening session, Mr.. E. ID. Bassett, q
delegate from Pniladelphis, resigned in favor
OF Benz. X. Sampson. Mr.. Clark, of Iowa,
presented 10 the Convention Governor Morrill,,
elected an honorary member Of the nRyention.
and thanked them for the honor conferred upon
him. motion 10 admit Mr.. J. j. Roberts,
President OF Liberia, as an honorary member
OF the Convention occasioned much opposition.
During the discussion of this question Senator
Wilson entered the hall and took a seat amid
much applause: The motion to make Mr..
Roberts an honorary member was voted down.
Rev. ID. w. Anderson. OF the District Of Co.
lumbia, submitted the following memorial for
equal privileges in the District Of Columbia:
Whereas the charter OF this city guarantees
TO all the loyal citizens thereof quail rights
before the law; and whereas il is evident that
many colored persons are confined in Jail for
long months, away from their families, with
greater suffering and disgrace; that these per.
sons, upon examination before the courts, are
often proven guilty Of no crime only that of
having dark skin: Therefore we, the colored
people of these United States, in convention
assembled DO petition the incoming President
10 nominate two or more justices OF the peace,
in and for the District of Columbia, Of colored
men. We also petition that the colored people
have the right OF a IriSi before a Jury Of their
own color, and not be fore men who yet believe
that black men have no rights which white
meE are bound to respect" Referred TO the
Committee On New Business.
Mr.. Downing, chairman of the Committee
suggestions and resolutions, recommending
that committee Of seven be appointed, with
Isaiah y. Wears as chairman, to ask for an in.
terview with, and hearing before, the Judiciary
COMMITTEE OF Congress; and, further, that a
national executive committee be appointed,
composed OF one member from each State and
Territory and from the District Of Columbia,
the headQ uarters Of the committee to be In
Washington, and the meetings to be at least
once IN each month; that mem orial be pre-.
sented to the appointing power to appoint for
nrtnts
preJCdice against the colored people; that q
central executive committee OF seven be
appointed to urge upon Congress capitalists
and Others the necessity OF securing homes
for the homeless Of tue south; that they urge
upon the Senate 10 pass the House bill opening
10 homestead settlers certain lands in Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, and FLORIDA; thar they
recognize in Ulysses ). Grant and Schuyler
CoIfax representatives OF the progressive spirit
OF the land; that the original Abolitionists are
entitled to a more than ordinary share Of the
gratitude of the colored people; that the Repub.
lican party is the only party which should re-
Celve the gratitude and support Of the colored
race; that the liberties Of the citizens can never
be safe while the States are acknowledged to be
the only power to regulate suffrage that
committee of I've be appointed to memorable
Congress in regard TO selection of iories in the
District Of Columbia, without regard to race
or color; that the duty OF the coiored race to
Africa is no more binding on them tnan upon
other citizens Of the country; that the first OF
Jan ary In every year be appropriately cele-
brated as the anniversary ef the emancipation
proclamation; that IT is the duty Of every min
ster Of the gospel to urge the reforms now
going on in favor of universal suffrage and
equal rights. The resolutions We're suose-
qnently adopted.
Mr.. j. b. Murray offered resolutions express
ing the gratitude of the colorei race to the la,e
Tbaddeus Stevens for his fe-long efforts IN
their behalf, congratulatIng the country on the
success OF the Reconstruct ion policy OF Con-
gress, and acknowledging their gratitude to all
who have labored for the removal of disabili-
ties against the colored In r, gard to voting:
to The Radical press and people OF Iowa and
Minnesota for their advocacy of impartial suf-
frage, and Its final success. Referred.
Senator Wilson was introduced and addressed
the convention briefly, giving his hearers
words OF cheer and ass urlng them that their
day was coming. He had no doubt that ere the
4th of March an amendment would be added 20
the Constitution of the United States making
all men equal before the law, and allowed to
enjoy all the privileges Of an American citizen
Senator Warner, OF Alabama, followed.
Prof. Wilcox, of the District OF Columbia,
announced that he was authorized by the com.
mittee 10 invite all members Of this Con vention
TO attend the Woman's Suffrage Con ventlon
next week.
The Chair announced that any of the dele
gates having to return home over the Northern
Central railroad can procure tickets free of
charge BY applying to the Secretary Of the
body.
The Chair here announced the Committee Of
Seven TO seek an interview with the Judiciary
oInmittee, as foilows:-Isaiah Wear, ]. q.
Bowers, George T. Downing, N. Cubit, vii.
liam Whipper, William H. Day, and N. Co.