The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-01
Eastern Republicans, Except Those of Maine,
Strongly Desire the Nomination of
EdmundS and Lincoln.
Ben Butler Chosen a Delegate to the
Democratic National Convention.
Mr.. Blaine Will Have the Support of the
Entire Republican Delegation from Iowa
The PittSburg Conference.
THE COLoRED CONFERENCE.

Both Parties Criticised Because of Their
Treatment of Colored Men.
PITTsBURG, Pa April 30.--The colored inter-
state conference reconvened at 1890 this morn
ing, and after some unimportant routine business
George I. Downing. of Rhode Island, presented
the following resolutions, without preparatory
remarks
Resolved, That the Republican and Democratic
managers have not rule respected the rights and
proper feelings of cOlored citizens in the management
OF their parties and in the administrations which
hey have been selected and elected that this has been
tre IN the face of repeated appeals and protests
the part of the colored people and their friends; that
we cherish hope that the above parties will that
Is their policy in this regard and that it is both
polite and manly for the colored voter to await
and party declarations and not at the present time,
commit himself to any political party"
Mr.. Downing moved that the resolution be
considered in executive session. This caused
lively discussion
Fred Douglass, Chairman Wheeler, and r. NJ.
Mitchell, of Illinois, opposed executive session;
while Messrs, Downing Smith and Lee favoredit.
Wheeler said he had no political plans no poti-
cal purpose. He would proclaim from the house
tops: 'We are not here merely as negroes, but
as American citizens and there should be no
question which could not be discussed in broad
daylight"
Downing thought private discussion for the
best interests.
Rev. Smith said the trouble with the negro
was that he was eternally afraid. He cared
nothing for the opinion of the white people. He
was a citizen of the United States. Continuing
he said Il swear before God this morning that
in future, will wear no political clothes pre-
pared for me without even taking my measure
or consulting me as to the color and style of the
garments. | am tired of being held up as a red
rag for the political bull"
Mr. Downing then proposed to withdraw the
resolution and the proposal for an executive
session, stating that he did so with view to
pouring oil on the troubled waters.
The hour having expired, pending further ac.
tiOn, discussion on ''The Value of Organization"
was taken up. F. l.. Barnett of Illinois, read
an able paper on the subject, favoriug it.
II. p. Williams, of Philadelphia favored or
ganization for self protection and as a panacea
for all the ills to which the colored people are
now subject. He spoke at some length, CRITICS
ing the action of the Republican party in failing
to protect colored men.
Discussion on the subject of organization was
continued till the hour of adjournment, its only
opponent being J. T. Lawson, of Franklin, Pa,
who opposed it on the ground that the Civil
rights League Of this State had been sold out
regularly every year
Before recess, O. L. c. Hughes, of Ne York
presented the resolutions adopted by the Union
League Club, of Buffalo, declaring President
Arthur's administration remarkable for its
coldness toward the colored people, while at the
ate the voters of other nationalites
Captain L. ]. Griffin, of Connecticut submit
ted form of petition to the United States Sem
ate in behalf Of the mighty army of African
American citizens asking the passage of a bill
creating commission to inquire into and report
upon the material, industrial and intellectual
progress made by the colored people of the
country since 1860 He also offered a resolution
declaring that the fealty of colored men was
due not Republicans or Democrats, but to
that spirit which grants the fullest immunities
to the race. The second resolution opposed sep
arate schools based on color, and declared it had
a tendency to depress colored children and foster
contempt for the race Pending discussion the
convention adjourned for dinner.
When the afternoon session opened the com
mittee reported the crivil-rights decision unjust
and unwise and proposed a series of resolutions
that after the two parties have made their
nominations and platforms an address be
issued to colored voters indicating what policy
would be best to pursue. The resolutions were
defeated. Geo. F. Downing offered resolution
that it was impotic to depend upon any party
for the protection of their rights if that party
was not consistent in its treatment of the colored
voter. and that the appeal should be made
to all parties. This also was defeated An ad-
dress was finally adopted that it the first
and highest duty of the government to afford
protection to its citizens and that action should
be directed as to aid the race to secure foot
hold in all avenues of political industries and
lofty pursuits, that the colored youth may not
be forced to unite with the disorderly element
Ol society
The addresses denounced Southern outragesiI
vigorous terms, and thought that unpunsheG
murders in Mississippi had borne fruit in the
riot in Cincinnati.
The conference then adjourned sine die.
Kentucky Colored Men in Convention.
LOUISVILLE, April 30.-The colored State
convention to select delegates to the national
convention of colored men at Richmond Va,
met again this morning The reports of the
several comittees were heard and the meeting
adjourned till afternoon.
In the afternoon the committee reported reso-
lutions requesting delegates to the national con-
vention to support any measure for ameliorating
the condition of the race. resolution was
adopted protesting against unequal school facili-
ties in the States; approving the sentiments ex-
pressed by Justice Harlan regarding civil rights
and protesting against tho disposition of the Re-
publican party to make them hewers of wood
and drawers of water. Delegates were ap-
pointed to the Richmond convention.