The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1876-02-12
coLoRED MEN IN COUNCIL.
Meeting Of the BarkIey Club Last
Night.

evening. AS the meeting was held
with open doors, there was number
Of colored men present who were not
mem bers, Ms well rs quite number OF
white gentlemen. The meeting was
called to order by o. b. Brown, Pres-
dent, while Ben. North and James
Saunders occupied the position of Sec
retaries
After explaining that the object of
this open meeting was to gain more
enlightened view Of the issues of the
campaign, and to hear from the candi-
dates individually, the President call
ed upon Major James Il. Barley.
On stepping forward, Major Barkley
stated that he did not intend to speak
but few minutes, rs he saw none Of
his opponents present He desired to
meet his opponents to discuss the ques-
tions between themselves. He had
three opponents, all OF whom were
good men. Against their private char
acter, he had naught to say. He had
known Mr.. Bowen for many years,
and spoke OF him in high terms. He
knew Mr. Brown, and of him also
he could only speak in the highest
terms Against Marion Moon, he nor
no man could utter word. In con-
nection with the report that had been
circulated as to his Democracy, he want
edIto say to the colored men that he was
Democrat. He was born and rear.
ed Democrat, had always lived
| Democrat, and thank God, would die
one. He had never voted any other
ticket In his life, and never would. He
only sought their votes as Democrat.
No stronger Southern man lived than
he. but Notwithstanding that, he de-
sired all the colored votes he could get
If he had Radical opponent, he
would take pleasure in discussing the
differences between Democracy and
Radicalism. AS none of his opponents
were present, he declined to speak at
any length. He was n Democrat
but if elected, he declared
that he would execute the laws regard
less of person or race, and eLdeavor to
make the best Sheriff Dallas has ever
had. In his official capacity, he knew
no difference between a white man
and black one. He learned on good
authority that the Republican club
which met last week and put forth
| list OF names as their preference for
county officers, met Only for organiza-
| ton andto ratify the State ticket. He
Ipa M or a
If any man dared to walk up to Jerry
Brown on the street, and tell him he
was q Radical, he would knock
him down. He would resent
it as deadly insult. AS the candi,
dates for the Office Of Sheriff were all
Democrats, they should ponder over
the matter, and cast their votes for the
best man. AS that was the case, he
considered 1t no detriment to come be-
fore them and discuss matters. He
called on Mr.. Brown at Scyene to dis.
cuss the questions between them, but
he declined, and got little school
teacher to read newspaper contain
ing an account of his speech to the col
ored men on Friday evening last. He
had called upon Brown to accept or
him by the colored Republican
Club, but the only answer he would
vouchsafe was that he had never been
in negro meeting. The truth was,
he did not have the moral courage to
do it. He Barkley) could see no
wrong in visiting and talking to them;
he considered it not only right but
duty. Some might say it was wrong,
but he did not think 50, and never
would. He stated that il. Brown would
not receive their nomination, he was
not entitled to their votes unless he
positively accepted or rejected it, he
was unworthy of their votes.
Had already spoken longer than
he had anticipated, as none of his
opponents were present, but he would
leave the colored men present to dis
cuss the matter among themselves. |
He saw before him Melvin Wade,
Browns champion, who would doubt
less speak. Brown, Moon and Bowen,
he said, did not have the moral cour-
age to come and speak to them. They
feared they might possibly become
tainted with Radicalism. He had no |
such fears, but If he thought for an in
slant that talking to them would make
Radical of him, he would leave the
room rs quick as possible, even though
he had to jump out Of the window. He
referred to his record ms an officer, and |
closed by saying that if elected he
would know no difference between
white or black.
Major John Henry Brown was called
for, and stated that he was candidate
for the State Senate, but as his oppo-
nent, Captain Guy, was not present,
he declined to address them. He
would be glad to get their votes, as well
as the vote of everybody else.
Melvin Wade was called for but that |
distinguished orator stated that he |
came to hear and see, and not to
speak.
Frank Fletcher was the next speak
err. He began by stating that if he
was as full of votes as he was of hopes,
there could be no question Of Major
Barkley's election. The reporter con-
fesses his perfect inability to give even
a skeleton of Franks remarks. They
were original, comical, and utterly be-
You'd the power of the most descrip-
tive or imaginative reporter
Loud calls being again made for the
noble Senator, Colonel Melvin Wade,
he took the stand and proceeded
to repeat substantially that speech of
his heretofore reported in THE HER
AID. He said that he was a Brown
man, and, please God, he would move
up to the polls and cast his vote for