Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-01-22

You, I understand, have come here n calmly
and honestly counsel together as regards the
guided by wisdom, and that no cause of regret
may ever be yours. tApplause.]
Mr.. Jacob II. Crossman moved that a COM
mttee of three be appointed % draft resolutious
for discussion; carried, and Messrs. j. ri. Cross
man, Lewis Ciephane, and w. II. Brown, Jr.,
were appointed
Mr.. a. watson offered the following, which
Rssslred, Iha. We tender sincere thank. to
ns y To- and Mrs .or hei5 able de
right Of free speech 50 shamefully dsregarded and
Here the notorious Joe. Brooks, who headed
the bloody election riots ia in the Second Ward
and who Is now striker for Peters, the Second
Ward Commissioner, took prominent position
| in the room, supported by gang Of desperadoes
| of his style. He is Of burly proportions, and
with a neck like an OK. He opened the bail by
asking
Is this meeting called for free discussion?
The Chair.-Is the gentleman here under the
| call?
Brooks am.
The Chair.-As an anti Bowen man?
Brooks am not prepared to answer.
The Chair.-lf the gentleman had read the
call he would have seen that he could not be
| recognized at this meeting, and he cannot be
permitted to speak.
MIR. A. McDevitt.-I would ask, can't we have
| free speech? [NOice-''That's it." Another
| v9ice-"Point OF order; remarks are out of or
dcr."1
Brooks.-I understand this is Democratic
meeting.
McDevitt.-I move to adjourn Voices
ono, ""Yes;" cheers and groans.l
VOICE. move a sergeat-at-arms be ap-
pointed.
Ger respectfully request all who are not anti
Bowen men to withdraw.
Mr.. McDevitt.-I rise to point of order
Mr. Kelsey hoped that the motion of Mr.. Wat
son would not be adopted, and if any of Mr.
Bowen's friends were present he hoped tina.
| they would remain and behave properly, and if
efnAy ,.,%N 40 -
he believed, do so. Some were present who did
not see the eall-perhaps Brooks did not see it.
B10pnk s.-, l did, Then he is here an
Republican" He was in favor of free speech,
and desired to accord it to all who would act
properly.
Mr.. Sinclair of the Fire Department. said he
came as Republican and freeman, not as the
slave OF any one, and was open to argument. If
any one could satisfy him that the party could
do better without than with Mr. Bowen, he was
open to conviction, and intended to sit quietly
and listen.
Brooks here arose and attempted to speak.
Col. Wayne and Mr.. 4. l.. KINNEY were an
pointed sergeants- alarms.
Brooks was appealed to by some to sit down
and by others urged on; but the Chair plainly
informed the meeting that Mr.. Brooks could
not proceed, and, after repeated efforts com
parative order was obtained.
Mr.. H. B. Philbrook "a member Of the bari
did not think it was necessary that the people
should be invited to leave, as he believed that
there would be good conduct, and hoped that
every man would consider himself as a gentle
man.
Mr.. Watson remarked that it was well known
that the meeting Of Wednesday night was broken
mp. He was in favor of free speech but in Gods
name he would ask that all should behave them
selves. He did not think the opponents should
have come here; but as they were here, he hoped
they would behave themselves. II il is the will
OF the meeting, he was satisfied if every one is
admitted; but let every one behave himself.
They were determined to have their meetings
and If the rowdies broke this one up they wonli
call on the police at the next for protection and
If they could not protect them they will 90 to
the military, and he was satisfied that the Gov
eminent would see that the right of free speech
is maintained. Applause, with yells and boot
ing from the other side.
Brooks again got on his legs.
The Chair called loudly for order.
MI Hulse, ST., Assistant Commissioner of the
First dS"Give us free speech; that's what
we want"
Brooks said he had seen the call, and knew It
was an anti-Bowen meeting, but supposed the
right OF free speech would be granted. When
he came he found that the doors were closed to
all but a certain class. He however was admit
ted, and he came in for the purpose of battling
with the opponents OF the Mayor.
Mr.. Carey w. White (of the Sixth Ward.l
called Brooks to order.
Brooks declined to yield.
The CHAIR" You must take yOur saaf Won
are disturber of the public peace"
Mr. X. j. Cunningham said that under the
call OF the meeting Brooks remarks were not
in order.
Brooks here came to the front of the stand.
and MIR. White said that Brooks had charged
him with buying and selling negroes. Brooks,
(excitedly,) Eyes; and 1 repeat it." Here
the confusion became SO great that It was
impossible TO make out what was going on
Brooks friends urging him to take the stani
and hurrahing for Bowen, and others crying
''Put him out" "Why don't the police do theft
duty" While this disorder was going on MIR.
Dixon vacated the chair, calling on Mr.. Kelsey
police, and i'm short time Mr.. ID. returned. fol-
lowed by Lieut.. TAFT, Sergeant Greer and other
officers.
Mr.. Clephane had previously mounted chair
and talked himself hOarse, urging the audience
to keep order and listen to the resolutions pre-
sS"ls
MIR. Kelsey urged that parties should sit down
and listen to the resolutions, and he knew all in
favor of peaceable meeting would be seated.
One side Of the hall adopted this suggestion anil
soon became orderly, but on the Brooks side
moments before they settled.
MIR. Hulse, Assistant Commissioner OF First
Ward. y" All We want is free speech
Mr.; John O'Donoyan essayed to make himself
heard.
Nj. Ciephane called for the reading of the
resolutions, and Mr.. Crossman mounted the
platform and commenced to read amid consid-
cradle disorder the following:
Whereas, there are many Republicans in this city
who believe that q change should be made at the
being unable under present party arrangements to
give expression to convictions. we have deter,
together and discussing measures for uniting good
Republicans in defence Of the essential principles OF
the party; therefore
Resoired, That support the administration OF
President Grant, and endorse the policy Of the pres
ent Congress.
Kesoired, That we are dissatisfied with the course
OF Mayor Bowen, and are strongly and decidedly op
Mr.. Hulse-Wili you permit free discus
sion?
Mr.. Brooks.-we don't come here to be in
suited.
MI. Clephane said the meeting was called for
Republicans opposed to Mayor Bowen, and they
had the right to report and adopt resolutions
expressive Of their sentiments and views.
Mr.. Hulse-we were told We we're to have
free speech.
Mr.. Crane rose to a point of order, that the
resolutions should be read, their reading having
been commenced.
Mr.. Rhinehard explained that free speech
would be accorded under the call.
Pandemonium was here Embossed, and for q
time all attempts at going on with the proceed
ings were hopeless.
Mr.. A. McDevitt, who figured very conspic.
uOusly, called out in stentOrian tones, "Where
are your houses of Congress nOw?Y (Laughter.l
Mr.. Clephane again, in the din, mounted q
chair, and urged that they should hear the res
OlutiOns; they should understand that the meet
ing was not called for free discussion by eyerv-
body, but for a specific purpose-to deliberate
on plan of organizing the Republicans of
Washington opposed to the present city admin
istratiOn. He understood the outsiders had come
there to overawe the more respectable of the
community.