The state journal., 1884-12-13
The FEBRUARY ELECTIONS.
THOSE IN THE FIELD WHOM
WE SHOULD SUPPORT.
The Men Who Present Them
selves to the Republican Party
and to the 800 OOlored
Voters Of Harrisburg.

tender blossoms of hope either to be
nipped by a killing frost or warmed
into life by the bright sun of success
which may gid their efforts. The
offices to be filled are those Of Mayor,
City Treasurer, City Controller and
a Select Councilman from the Eighth
ward to fill the unexpired term Of
Hon. G. A. Miller, recently elected
to the Legislature. This election
following SO closely upon the heels Of
the national contest, in which the
Republican party was defeated for
the first time in twenty-five years,
becomes particularly important, espe-
cially to the colored men of this city.
1t is useless to conceal the fact that
the colored voters of Harrisburg have
the controlling power Of the city, and
their votes divided or cast as a whole
for any party means SUCCESS or defeat.
While this has long been known it
has not been conceded by the Re.
publican party or insisted upon by
the colored men. AS the organ of
the colored people Of this State, and
this city in particular, we ask the col,
Ored men to stop and think before
they act in the coming elections.
They are several things upon which
they can mediate with great advan-
tage to themselves. Let them re-
member that for years they have
given their votes to perpetuate Re-
publicans in this city, and year after
year they were left without repre-
sentation in the city government
until the election Of S. Q. Wilson,
the present incumbent of the Mayors
office, who, against the wishes Of
some of the Oldest Republicans in the
city, was manly enough to appoint
two colored policemen. They should
remember that during all the years
this city and county has been under
Republican control, made SO by their
votes, that they have received no re
cognition from the county. They
should remember that recent UuUuI
rences, State and National, are but
the outlines of a new era for the
colored men of this country. Let
them mediate upon the indifference
and contempt With which the colored
men were treated in the last cam
paign. The colored vote Of Penn
sylvania, over 10000 in number, one
half of the large vote cast for James
G. Blaine, was cast for the Repub-
lican ticket almost without solicita-
ton and under an Indifference which
was intended to show that the negro
was not wanted. What recognition
or consideration was given our
prominent men left without repre-
sentation in the State Convention or
upon the State Committee and off
the electoral ticket? Of the two or
three colored men employed by the
State committee as speakers so small
was the allowance made them that
they were half discouraged in the
work, while the colored press of the
State was left as completely without
recognition as the people themselves.
When you have thought over these
things you will find it becomes your
duty as colored men to loosen up on
the lines Of partyism and tighten
upon the lines of principles and men.
DR.. Eyster is spoken of as possible
candidate for the mayoralty. He is
well known 10 the colored men of
this city as an ardent Republican,
which should no longer be badge
to claim the support of colored men.
He was the only white man in the
last county convention who voted
with the colored delegates for q COL
ored delegate to the State conven
ton. DR.. oysters action on that
occasion may have some influence on
the colored delegates to the conven-
ton, but hardly sufficient to make
them forget Mayor Wilson's recog-
. milton of the colored voters. He de-
serves a reelection and he deserves
the united support of the colored
men. Many have found fault with
bis administration, but when we
consider what an Improvement he is
upon the two former Republican
mayors it is likely be will be ardently
supported. For City Treasurer
Messrs. S. w. Fleming, member o.
Common Council from the Fourth
ward, a gentleman well known anG
against whom nothing can be urged
Of a compromising nature, Mr.. AL
bert Black, a well known young
man, is also an aspirant, as is aIst
the present incumbent, L. H. Kin