The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-25
THE CoLoRED PEOPLE.
A State Convention to Consider Their Needs
Officers Elected and Business
Transacted.

In pursuance to a call recently issued, there
was a mass convention of the colored people OF
the State, at the Park Theater, yesterday, to
consider various matters of personal interest
and to elect delegates to a national convention
TO be held in Louisville. About two hundred
and fifty representative colored men of the
State were in attendance, and the proceedings
were characterized by much dignity and parlia-
mentary method. Among those present were
the following:
Alfred Harrison, Rev. j. Fl. l. sweres. Hon. j.
:: Hinton, James Mah9rney, Prot Levi Christy,
Rev. Morris Lewis, E. E. Outland, Charles
Stepp, r. s. johnson, of Indianapolis; Henry G.
Clay, of Shelbyville; G, B. Henderson, Muncie;
j. A. Braboy, Kokomo; Rev. D. Rouse. Evans
Vile; j. W. Pettlford, Franklin; Prof z. NJ. An
derson, Evansville; George Taylor, Michigan
City; J. ID. Porter, business manager of the Col
representing the World; E. Bass and H. B. Tan
ner, of Connersville, and the Rev, E. W. Ham
mons.
The convention was called to order by Alfred
Harrison, and Rev. ]. Il. Townsend, of Rich
mond, was made temporary chairman, and
Charles Stepp, secretary, the devotional exer-
cises being conducted by Rev. j. ii. Bassett,
OF this city Considerable time was spent in
discussing the matter of forming permanent
organization and committee was finally ap-
pointed to nominate officers, there to be one
member for each Congressional district. The
First, Tenth, Twelfth and Thirteenth districts
Therefore composed of D. A. Graham, Second
district D. W. Cones, Third; Martin Mcknight,
Fourth; J. W. Petuford, Fifth; Rev. j. H. Nc
smith, sixth; George J.. Knox. Seventh; Burton
Stewart, Eighth; Perry schad. NINTH Judge ]. j.
Hill, Eleventh. The convention then took re-
cess until after dinner
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At the beginning of the afternoon session, the
committee on organization reported the follow
ing officers, who were duly elected:
President-James NJ. Townsend, D. D., Rich
mond.
Vice-presidents-First district, Professor L. Nj.
Anderson, Evansville; Second, d. A. Graham;
Third, Rev. NJ Bassett; Fourth, W. F. Anderson;
Fifth, b. Farley; Sixth, DR.. James Mcsmpson;
Seventh, Rev. Richard Bassett; Eighth, Bennett
Stewart; Ninth, Willis Venable; Eleventh, Rev.
j. W. Harper.
secretary-James T. Hill, city.
Assistant Secretary-Levi Christy, city
Letters from number of distinguished gentle
their regret at not being able to be present, and
sympathizing with the object of the con-
vention. Among these were letters from
Governor A. G. Porter. Hon. P. b. s. Pinch
back, New Orleans, Bishop d. A. Payne, of Ohio,
Postmaster-general Gresham, Alexander Clark,
Muscatine, Ia; Hon. j. b. Foraker, Cinoinnati;
Hon. Stanton j. Peelle, Hon. Thomas B. Ward,
Lafayette.
The following delegates to the national con-
vention at Louisville Sept "a, were elected:
sweres, city; E. W. s. Hammond, Albert ]. Far
ley; Second district, ]. W. Stewart Third, DR. W.
A Burney; Fourth, Martin Mcknight; Fifth, Rev.
W. K. hutchinson; Sixth, William H. Stokes;
art; Ninth, Willis Venable; Eleventh, j. I. Hill.
Considerable time was spent in discussing rou-
tine matters, and the convention adjourned to
meet Tomorrow at 10 O'Clock.