Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-13
NEGROES IN CONVENTION.
Ahe educational Meeting at Atlanta a
Very Stormy Gathering,

| ATLANTA, IRA, Dec. 12.-ReV W II
White, Chairman of the committee p
pointed by the Macon Convention of ~,
called the Colored Educational CcYen-
tloh 10 order at noon to-day. The AaiI Oh
representatives was packed, "a many
could not secure seas. There VS. small
crowd in the galleries. Theeonyentlon
sang "Praise God from WFm All Bless
ings Flow,o which was fopwed by prayer
by Rev. Floyd Snelson, oAhoerty county,
who invoked divine "a 10 keep out all
other questions than nose pertaining to
education. White nen addressed the
convention. stating that the sole purpose
of the meeting wa,eo consider defects in
the public schooBystem and discuss inn
proved and inceased educational facili-
ties by the Ste and nation for both races.
| He said tba the time has come for action
| ON the nar'Of the colored race.
Jackso McHenry, of Fulton, nominat-
ed Rev Dr.. William j. Gaines, of Allan
ia. fo, the temporary presiding officer.
| Thisstarted up w. A. Pledger, who soon
haGNhe whole convention in confusion,a and
| hfwound up by nominating Pulaski Holt,
4 Bibb, as temporary Chairman, which
nomination JEFF Long, of Bibb, heartily sec
onded. In the midst of the continued
confusion-as clearly two thirds of the
convention were against Pledger's oppo-
sition to Gaines-the name of Holt was, at
his own request, withdrawn and Gaines
was nominated unanimously. This set
tied the question whether politicians
were to manipulate the convention.
Gaines on taking the chair said that if
he thought this convention was
entangled with any other movement,
he would quietly leave the chair and re-
tire from the hall. The only object was
to educate and train for usefulness and
form characters to be respected. g. G..
Monroe, of Savannah, and four assistants
were elected Secretaries. Pledger moved
that committee OF twelve on permanent
organization be appointed. Snelson
offered substitute for Committee on
Enrolment, and another prolonged scene
of confusion ensued, twenty delegates at
tempting to speak at once. Snelson's re-
solution was adopted, as was also one
offered by Fleming for Committee on Or
ganiZation, and another by Belcher for Il
Committee on the Order of Business. John
Mcintosh, of the First district, is on the
Committee on Organization; Floyd Smell
son is Chairman of the enrolment
committee, and l.. NJ. Peasants and
Eugene Belcher from the State-at-
large, and James Blue, of Glynn, on the
Committee on Business.
tinguished colored divine of Ohio, ad-
| dressed the convention in an eloquent and
able manner, showing what the race had
done and may do. He said that the future
is full of hope and bringing greater re-
spOnsibilities to the race. He advised ne
groes to first get an education; second,
| religion; third, money; fourth, more en-
terprise. "This," he said, twill bring us
where we will not need civil rights bills"
Educate" he added, ''heads, hearts and
! hands. Write over the doors of your
| home, Thou shalt not commit adultery
over your family affairs, Honor thy
father and thy mother and across every
smoke house, hen-coop and corn-crib,
Thou shalt not steal,' and the future of
our race will be all that could be de-
sired"
DR.. Arnetts address was heartily and
| frequently applauded and a vote of thanks
was given by rising vote.
At the afternoon and night session, by
| special invitation, DIR. q. j. Orr, the State
| School Commissioner, addressed the con-
vention. He advised that the action be
| conservative and confined strictly to
education. He thought the State had
| done a great work in the education of the
| colored race, and that she would probably
do more in the future and that Congress
| would no doubt make liberal approprIa-
1 tiOns. The convention should not by un-
| wise or partisan action put any stumbling
! blocks in the path of the friends of educa-
tion who are laboring to this end. The
speaker referred to the fact that the col
| Ored people pay taxes on only 500, ,OO0, 900
| of the $26S, ,000, 900 worth of property in the
State. Dr. Orr's remarks were applauded
| and vote os thanks given him for it and
his official conduct, which was charac-
terized as so impartial to the colOred race.
Another scene OF confusion ensued on
an attempt to have the Committee on Per-
manent Organization report before the
| Committee ON Enrolment reported. A
| dozen delegates attempted to speak at
once; points of order and charges of
tricks and gagging were made all over the
hall. A motion to adjourn was also re-
jected. In the row personal reflections
were INDUCED in, and the Chair found it
almost impossible to control the conVen-
tion. Williams, of Fulton, refused to
yield the floor, and this kept up lively
rumpus for half an hour. Wimbish,
of Fulton, swore by the God above
that he would brand the Chairman
for his decisions in favor of allowing the
Committee on Permanent Organization to
report. The committee reported, amidst
cries of 'nO, no, "yes, yes" ''no, sir,
''question," and threats from Pledger and
Wimbish and their crowd President,
Rev. w. j. White, of Richmond; j. G..
Monroe, of Chatham. Secretary, etc. Mo-
tions to adopt and table were made, and
both factions cOntended for the floor.
Amidst cries of question, question:" the
report was adopted, and White took the
Chair amidst yells, Kisses, hurrahs and
applause. After White took the Chair
quiet was restored, and he made
brief address, stating that he
had always labored conscientiously
and honestly for his race, and
this election touched his heart AS
proof that his labors were appreciated be
suggested that a sufficient amount of
time had already been wasted in con-
fusion and differences, the rest of the
session should be devoted to educational
topics in an orderly and harmonious man.
ner. George w. Gardner, editor of a
colored paper at Athens, said the oppo-
sition now desired to move to make the
| election of White unanimous. Some of
the opposition, Pledger and Wimbish in
| cluded, objected, as the report had not
been properly acted upon. Easily OBJ
ected to the report because he said that
| Gardner was not sincere. White desired
Gardner's motion to be put, but the
objections prevailed. The Committee
on Credentials then reported. Chatham
has large delegation. No proxies are
allowed from any county, and only bona
fde teachers, preachers and delegates are
admitted. Fifty-two counties are not
| represented. The committee on Business
reported four topics for discussion to-
morrow. The first is "The Defects of the
Public School System;'' the second. "The
Best Means to Remedy Them;" the third,
''NationaI Aid to Education;" fourth.
'.The Question of Illiteracy." Gov. Nc
Daniel and Rev. DIR. Haygood are to be
invited to address the convention. JEFF
Long opposed so much speaking. He
wanted good set of resolutions drawn
up and adopted to provide better educa-
, tiOnal facilities for the poor children of
} on plantations. Speeches here wort dc
this. Less talk and more work is required
to better our educational facilities. Toe
much time has been spent in wrangling
here over points of order. Let this stoT
and some practical steps be taken for the
people and not for few favored men. A
committee of fourteen is to prepare
memorial to Congress, and an address t.
: the people of the State and committee o.
eleven to perfect a permanent,educatio
organization for the State. The wrangling
is about over, and tomorrow the conven
tion will probably get down to business.
Failures in Business.
. NEW YORK, Dec. 12.-J. X. Billups