The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-28
AN INDEPENDENT FIASCO.
An Effort by the Democrats to Secure the
COlored Vote Dismal Failure.

ing of Independent colored voters, to be held al
the Second Baptist Church. on Michigan street
Last night was the evening chosen for the meet
ing and at o'clock there were hundred and
fifty or two hundred persons waiting in front OF
the church for the doors to open. The janitor
was there, key in hand, and the crowd was i'm
patient, and still the portals remained closed.
The reporter was informed that the doors would
not open until the rental had been paid and
the requirement was $40 in good and lawful cur
rency. The Democracy appeared to take great
interest in the meeting and the managers of the
entertainment, Alfred Harrison, Lawyer Hill, S.
A. Turner, and two or three other colored men
were in great trepidation, fearing the money
couldn't be forthcoming. When their anxiety
was at the worst Jack Landers, of the Demo
cratic executive committee, drove up in buggy.
Alfred Harrison whispered to him, and his hand
was seen to explore his pocket small, but val
liable piece of crisp paper futtered for moment
in the air, and disappeared in the Harrison
hand, after which Mr.. Harrison took the janitor
by the hand-the trick was done and the door
opened.
AS it did so jackson Landers, Ben Mes
sick, Captain ]. w. Dodd, ], ]. Fay, Charles
Tyler, Thomas Kearney, James Bowling, Charles
Cooper and other Democrats mingled with the
colored voters and took seats in the church
The meeting was called to order by Alfred
Harrison, who, by cut-and-dried arrangement,
was made chairman, and proceeded to deliver
himself of long winded, illogical and rambling
TRADE which was listened to with remarkable
patience and fortitude, concluding with the
words, For this time am with the Democrats,
which was warmly applauded by Landers, Dodd,
Messick, Bowling, Cooper ct al.
At this point there were loud calls for ALI
son Sweeney.
Chairman Harrison said the committee would
soon be ready to report the resolutions First
mention of the committee. Everybody wondered
who they were and where they would come
from. More cries for Sweeney. Lewis John
son said that those who were not in sympathy
with the meeting should go out; that only those
who were in favor of the resolution, would be al
lowed to vote for them.
D. Elder Harris want to see just where ]
stand l want to understand if this is indie
pendent Republican meetingl
Charman-It is.
Elder Harris Well, I'm glad of that
thought it was taking on the appearance of a
Democratic meeting am Republican in my
SOUL Laughter and cheers.
AT this point there was noise of loud talking
at the door, followed by brisk dog fight, which
lasted about three minutes, when there were
again loud cries for Mr.. Sweeney.
Chairman-Let us be quiet and receive the
committee on resolutions.
Cries Of Let us hear Mr. Sweeney first Mr..
| Sweeney rising among the back seats. 4 would
be 10th to speak, gentlemen without being given
| the courtesy by the chair
| The chair did not seem disposed to extend that
| courtesy, and the committee on resolutions (who
! had probably been kept in for the occasion) re-
ported the following:
Whereas, The Independent colored voters of Indi
\ annapolis, in mass convention meeting assembled
believe that the time has come to assert manhood
and independence, and that interests cannot be
subseryed by being all Republicans and voting only
BE It Resolved That il is for the best interests
the colored voters divide their between all par
ties between the Greenbackers the Democrats ano
the temperance party, well the Republican party
GEORGE ELLIOTT,
/ LEWIS JOHNSON,
'tDR ROBBINS
Mr. Christy, seconded by Mr.. Lanier and sew
! eral others, moved to lay the resolutions on the
/ table. The chairman objected that these per
| sons were not in sympathy with the meeting.
! Mr.. Mccoy, rising, said he was an independent
man, and as such attended the meeting If the
1 chairman insists on driving them down our
1 throats he should say so.
i Mr., Turner moved the meeting adjourn until
next Monday, and adjourn it did, amid great con-
! fusion,
Atthis about seven colored men and all the
white trash filed out Albert Farley, stepping
! upon bench, said: We have listened TO So
! called independent address. We will now listen
| to a Republican speech from Allison Sweeney"
About $50 persons renamed, indeed the indie
pendents couldn't be missed, and Mr.. Sweeney
made brief but brilliant speech, giving in burn
! ing woods the reasons that colored men have for
their loyalty to the Republican party, and the
excellent reasons they have for not deserving to
| the enemy.
Mr.. Mccoy presented the following resolution,
which was unanimously adopted, and the meeting
adjourned
Resolved that the resolutions introduced by
called committee Of ind dependents not the sent
ments of this meeting
J. S. Hinton, Elder Harris Judge Franklin
and other old stand-bys and representatives Of
the race thought the resolution superduous but
voted for it with hearty good will and the meet
| ing adjourned in admirable good humor.