The state journal., 1885-01-10
VOL. 8.
Communicated
our Candidates for Select Council
and for Constable Of the
Eighth Ward.


an enigma, and those only on the
inner circle can form a conception OF
the objects aimed at; 50 until the
contrivances are launched upon the
public, or the rich die of, it is diff
cnlt TO tell their worth Therefore,
voters of the Eighth ward, "keep
your lights trimmed and burning,
for with the coming ides of Febru-
ary political events, which must tend
largely to the shaping Of your pres
ent and future municipal signifcents,
are to transpire. Already, from little
inklings, we are constrained to be-
lieve that there is an under current
at work to thwart what should be
and is the paramount right of the
Eighth ward voters. This supposed
disturbing element eminates from
outside parties. Their object, while
not stated, appears TO be the preyen
tion of a coIored man from being
chosen for 2 membe Of select coun-
Gil This is seemingly the object
wished for. Now what are the facts
in the case! The Eighth ward, of
this city, is one of the few strong
holds in the state held by the colored
people. There they are not only the
balance of power, but can send whom
they please and as many as the law
allows to represent them. in munici-
pal Offices. So far as pertains to the
ward, and up TO within a year or
two, they have never availed them.
selves Of the power, always sending
four men to common council and one
to select council all of whom have
been white. At this time ]. Ii.
Howard, the only man Of color ever
thus honored in this city, is in COM
mon council. The member OF select
council having been elected to the
Legislature leaves vacancy in the
council to be filed. Now who is to
have it? Are wards which have a
controlling white vote considerate
of the ability and requirements of
any one or more colored men who
happen to live in them? No. They
select the 6ttest from among them
selves, and thus push them onward
and upward. THUS the colored
man is not considered n the flesh
pots of Office. This example having
been set us by our illustrious and
highly fortunate brother, it is not in
opportune for US to adopt it now
aud ever for ourselves We help
ourselves where we are. There will
we always remain. Listen sn0t to
honeyed or sugar coated words or
promises bright, but push yourselves
to the front. In representative Of
five they have four-two more than
they are legally entitled to according
to the voting enumeration. If our
friends will not equalize such things
with us we shall have to search our
surroundings, for out of all evil some
good must come. Now whom do
we want 10 represent US? Howard
has been tried in the lower house
and been found wanting in nothing
except Of recognition on important
committees, wherefrom he could
have helped his colored brother.
Wen they condescended to allow
him one appointment at the com
mencement of his term, and since
then his time and every effort has
been taxed to its very utmost TO re-
tain even him. Now this man whose
official head they have had in jeopardy
for so long is not only an efficient
officer, but valuable and able citi
zen. Howard, recognizing his worth,
had him appointed or aided him in
securing the position as one Of the
sanitary inspectors, very important
position, as the health of the city is
involved. All sorts of maneuvres
have been adopted to abolish said
committee, but through Howard's
indefatigable efforts he and the ordi-
nance still lives. Therefore, if How
ard, with bis experience, should be
selected to fill the unexpired term in
select council his opportunity would
enable him to better serve the cjtv.
and especially Lis constituents. A
noticeable fact on the streets and bv.
ways is that Irish aud all other ma
tionalities are to be seen at work, ex
cept the negro, and as the population
of this place is 10000, 5000 or one
eighth colored,w not employ them7
They help pay the taxes and keep
the Golfers of our merchant filled,
while the writer hereof thinks How
ard the most suitable person. There