The state journal., 1884-03-08
HOWARD'S LETTER.
The Proposed Convention and
Other Items About Quaker Town
Political Small Talk.
PHILADELPHIA, March 5, 1884

OF our prominent cltizens In regard
TO the National conference of northern
men to be held at Pittsburg in April
and l find that the majority consider
it scheme of few politicians tc
attract attention TO themselves before
the converting of the esiden,iaI
Conventions. But whatever is THEN
purpose they will find themselves
fronted by delegatiea from Phila.
delphia, who have the interests of the
race at heart and will not allow any
trickery. In an interview with Gil
bert Ball, one of the foremost politi.
clans of this city, he expressed him
self as follows: 81 think it will be a
good move and one that should have
been taken long ago; but as there
has been an investigating committee
appointed by the Senate of the United
States to look into the misrule of the
southern States, the said conference
committee would do we'll to act with
them. In this way they could get at
the bottom facts that they wouldn t
otherwise be able to get at. You ask
the reason why the Senate committee
will not be able to get all the facts of
the southern outrages, and to speak
plainly of the leading colored men of
the south and of the papers edited by
colored men there Doyou ever hear
of one raising their voice against the
outrages perpetrated on their people?
They plead the excuse that they are
afraid of their lives. Now. if thtt
be the case, why do they claim the
credit of editing paper in the inter
est of their race. There is one thing
that | would like to see, that is for
the conference to appeal to the intel
ligent colored men If the south to
send their convictions and obserVa-
tons to leading northern papers, such
as the STATE JOURNAL and the New
York Globe, not leaving ont any
paper that has the interest of the col
ored men at heart. There is the
Philadelphia Times and New York
Herald, both these papers have al
ways stood by us, and if any thing
were sent them from reliable people,
you can rest assured it would receive
justice. AS to what We shall do in
the National contest, | think it a
question that should not be touched
at all, for we are natural protectionists
and in justice to ourselves we can
not be anything else, knowing as We
do that SO per cent. of our pie
belong to the laboring classes.
In regard to the decision of the Su-
preme Court, think there should be
some respect shown to Senator Ed
mund's bill now before the Senate.
Tie mastery way in which the bill
is drafted commands the respect of
every man who has the interest of
his race al heart. 1t is my opinion
that the fences of the Republican
party are well GA the way to repair,
and they have the drop on the callers
Of the colored conference. If they
want to serve the people they can
best do it by serving the party Of the
people.
There is some slight talk about a
delegate to the Republican National
Convention, and among the colored
voters there is desire prevailing to
have colored delegate from this dis
trict. There have been several per
sons mentioned, but the majority
consider no better choice could be
had than the selection of Gilbert
Ball, he having the experience nee
essary and the time to attend 10 it
without serious Inconvenience to him.
self. We hope he will stand as a
delegate and show that Philadelphia
can send the only colored delegate
from the north to Presidential Con-
vention, as there is no doubt of his
election If he will only stand
Mr.. G. S. Smith, of Bloomington,
ILL.,, is in the city making arrange
ments for delegates to the conference
at Piltsburg, of which conference he
is one of the originators.
The first annual reception of the
Enterprising II Association, was
given at Natatorium Hall, on We'd
nesday night, and was very success
full. Great credit is due the commit
tee. The members of the association
are: r. w. Wallace, S. o. Singleton,
L. Oberton, f. GLADDEN., J. H. Moles,
J. r. Smith, p. W. Trice, II. Per
cival, Fl. Reed, r. S. Liscombs, JOS.
Williams, A. Percival.
A committee of private walters
will give a full dress calico dress leap
year reception, at Natatorium Hall,
~, Wadpasdou avaninor March Oetb