The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-05-03

day, and was occasionally boisterous, COM
prislng about thirty delegates. A report
instru ting the indianapolis deeg ties to
vote for Butler for President WAS rejected
and the delegates were unlnstructed The
platforms of the Chicago Convention of
$50 and OF the Rochester Convention of
1883 were reaiiirmed. George Jones, |
Dean, Louis +. Post and Epenetus Howe
were elected delegates at-large The State
Committee will name the Congressional dis
tict delegates.
ONO STATE LABOR CONVENTION.
CoLUMgUS, o., April 3O,--A State Con-
venton OF The local Trades and Labor AS.
semblits OF Ohio has been called to meet in
this city June "a, for the purpose OF form
ing a State Trade and Labor Union. Labor
organizations of whatever kind through
out the State are invited 10 send one dele
gate each.
MARYLAND DEMOCRATS.
BALTIMORE, April 30.-The State Dem
ocratic Convention to select delegates to
Chicago will be held here June 5. The
State Convention selects district as well as
delegates-at-la large. The Congressional Con-
ventionS are appointed for August q.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE RACE.
PrrTsBURGu, Pa, April 80. When the
Interstate Conference OF COlored Men met
at Municipal Hall yesterday morning dele
gates to the number of seyenty-iiye were
present, including representatives from
Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, District of
Columbia, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas and
Louisiana, among them being Fred Doug
lass and Bishop Green, of ONO. The open
ing address was made by Rev. c. s. Smith,
of Bloomington, Ill.
Robert Jackson, of Pittsburgh, was
elected temporary Chairman. Fred Doug
lass was nominated for the position but the
convention confirmed Jackson's nomination,
A permanent organization was then ef-
fected, with Lloyd q. Wheeler, of Chicago,
as President.
A general discussion on "Our Political
Status then followed Prof w. 5. Scar
borough read an interesting paper on the
subject, in which he arraigned the Repub-
lican and Democratic parties, and de-
nounced the policy of ex- president Hayes
in Withdrawing troops and leaving the col
ored people at the mercy OF political enc
mics, upon the false theory that the Const-
tuition was powerless and public sentiment
against interfering with States. In many
parts of the South, he said, the colored peo-
pie were undoubtedly in a majority, but
were kept under control by the minority.
Ferdinand l.. Barnett, of Illinois, fol-
lowed, warmly secOnding the views of Prof.
Scarborough, and suggesting that the col
ored men make honorable capitulaton to
the white men of the South.
The conference then went INTO executive
session. Rev. c. S. Smith, of Bloomington,
ILL.,, offered "A resolution that it was mex
pedient at this time to lndOrSe any party
or any Presidential candidate. This was a
test resolution and created sharp, acrimon-
Gus and even angry debate, but 1t was
finally adopted
PITTSBURGH, May 1.-The Coored Mems
Convention met at ten O'Clock yesterday
morning. George t. Downing of Rhode
Island, presented the following resolution,
without preparatory remarks:
ReSU'usd, That the Republican and Demo
cratic managers have not, as rule, respected
the rights and proper feelings OF colored cltl-
zens in the management OF their parties ana
in the administration TO whichthcy have been
selected aud elected, and that ii is both polite
and manly for the colored voter to await
events and not at the present time commit
himself with any political party.
Mr.. Downing moved that the resolution
be considered in executive session, and
thereby caused lively discussion. Fred
Douglass, chairman, Wheeler, and r. NJ
Mitchell, of Illinois, opposed the motion,
while Downing, Smith and Lee favored
it. Rev. Mr.. Smith said that the tr0u-
bic with the negro was that he was
eternally afraid. He cared nothing for the
opinion of white people. Continuing,
he said: 81 swear before God this morn
ing that in future | will wear no
political clothes prepared for me
without even taking my measure or
consulting me as to the color or style
of the garments. l am tired of being held
up as red flag for political bull" Mr..
Downing then withdrew the motion, stating
that he did so with the purpose of pouring
oil on the troubled waters.
A discussion on the value Of organization
was then begun.
Several resolutions were then offered and
defeated, one of them declaring that, as
the Republican party had not been true and
consistent in its treatment Of the c0lored
race, they should therefore appeal to all
parties An address setting forth the
grievances of which the colOred race com
plain was then adopted, and the confer
ence adjourned. A STRAW" vote was taken,
and showed Logan to be in the lead as a
Presidential candidate.