The state journal., 1884-04-05
FRANKLIN Do1NGs.
Convention Of the Colored Voters
Of Northwestern Pennsylva-
nia-Strong Resolutions
Adopted.


FRANKLIN, Pa, March 27.-The
convention of colored voters of North
western Pennsylvania, met in the City
Hall at IL o'clock A. III. The con-
vention was called to order by J. w.
Derry. On motion of FL. Scott, Rev.
John Lawson was chosen as tenn
porary chairman; W. Fl. Miller and
J. W. Derry, secretaries. The Presi-
dent proceeded to open the conven
ton. Prayer by Rev. r. NJ Green.
The President addressed the conven
ton and stated the object and declar-
ing the convention ready for business,
The following committees were
appointed: Credentials - D. r.
Smith, J. B. Rutherford and T.
W. Lawson; Permanent Organiza-
tion-Charles Sweeny, James Law
son, Sr. and H. Scott; Finance.
W. Derry, R. M. Green, N Lawson,
Sr. The convention took a recess
until 2 o'clock P. M.
At the afternoon session the Com
mittee on Organization reported the
following permanent officers, who
were duly elected;
President, Isaac J. Mann, of Oil
City; vice president, II. Scott, Of
Franklin; secretary, w. II. Miller,
of Oil City: assistant secretary, J. W.
Derry, of Franklin sergeant-at arms
Jonas Turner, of Franklin.
twenty-five delegates were in at
tendance atsthis session, representing
Is counties.
Thomas w. Lawson. Of Franklin,
Charles Sweeney, of Oil City, and
John Baptist, of Franklin, were cleo
ted Committee on Resolutions, who
reported the following, which were
adopted:
WHEREAS, The elective franchise
should be used only for the good of
common mankind therefore, be it
ReSolUed, By the colored voters OF
Northwestern Pennsylvania, in con
vention assembled, that
l. That we sacredly pledge our
selves, one to the other, that we will
not support or vote for any man or
men at the coming election, whose
life, practices and public record, are
not an open guarantee that he or they,
if elected, to the best of his or their
ability will mete out alike to white
and black, high and low, common and
equal justice.
2. That we demand the enactment
and passage of such laws as will insure
the full and free right of the elective
franchise, as well as an equal standing
before the law, of the blacks in the
South and the poor whites in the
North.
5. That we denounce the shot gun
policy of the South and the BULLDOG
ing of employers Of the North, as
destructive of manhood and Kepub
lican government.
4. That the Republican party, hav-
ing asst has had for twenty years the
control of our Government, for not
having passed and executed such
laws, being well aware all these years
of these open and notorious outrages
having been perpetrated, is principally
liable, and we hold that party guilty.
5. That we demand the present
Congress shall enact such laws as will
protect true and loyal hearts beneath
black skins, whether in South Caro-
lima or Massachusetts,.
6. That we believe in and demand
a hearing in every convention of our
race, and we hereby authorize and
require our delegate to the colored
convention to be held April 20, 1884,
in Pittsburg, to urge the adoption of
these resolutions.
I. That we hereby direct our dele
gates to said convention, if they be
refused admission as delegates, or if
said conference be run by ring rule,
so that the expression of our opinion
cannot be heard and acted on, to with
draw from said fraudulent conference,
and with such other excluded dele
gates and friends as will join, to hold
a conference in the said city of Pitts
burg, at the time mentioned, and
then and there act for US as becomes
freemen, representing free people:
Messrs. H. Scott, W
w. H. Miller az