The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-07
WORK OF THE TWO PARTIES.
An Enthusiastic Meeting of the Merrill
Colored Republican Club.
The Unfair Methods Which the Democrats In
tend to Resort TO-Aspects Of the Political
Situation Encouraging to Republicans.

The Merrill Club. including the larger part of
the colored voters of the Eleventh ward, held an
interesting meeting in the central committees
rooms last night John Wilson presided, and
John Owens was che secretary After Colonel
Merrill and Sid Conger, candidate for joint rep
resentative, had spoken, several members caused
an enthusiastic expression of interest IN the
whole Republican ticket by what they said.
President Wilson, in the course of his forcible
speech, remarked ''If / should leave the Re
publican party would not know where to 90.
could not identify myself with the Demo
cratic party, for its old leaders are
not dead vet, and the new men of the party offer
no hopG3o my people, He always did dislike
che principles of the Democratic party, and 1t
gave no evidence of change for the better 1t
was the same party it WAS during the war
''There s no disaffection to amount to anything
among my people," he said, "they are naturally
Republicans. But as to Colonel Merrill, he has
shown himself true man and worthy repre-
sentative of the ticket. always like to hear
man like him talk, man who was
. Republican when it cost great deal to be one
Such men [ always favor, and TO elect him and
the rest OF the ticket 1 will do all in my power
do not think my people are so degraded tnas
they will vote for Taggart just because he gives
few colored mon positions of mental labor NO
government can do too much for those who
Fought for It," With him il was not question
Of preferment The offices and places would
come to colored men in good time If they showed
themselves worthy of the confidence the he
publican party placed In them
Allen Dudley said he came down from the
First to attend meeting in the Eleventh ward
He did not know what he could talk about I'M
less 1t was his prospects, as he dld IN CLASS
meeting, when he spoke of his hopes OF heaven
Here his prospects were conferred in the Repub-
hcau party. whose State county and legislative
ticket he would help to elect by his vote and
work II am tired of Democratic rule already"
he continued. 81 can't understand how
colored man can belong to that party,
and I often want to get inside of
one of my race who claims to be
q Democrat, to see if he Is sincere. A great deal
OF talk is circulated about Taggart employing
twenty five or thirty colored walters. He would
not do it if colored people did not suit his pur-
pose better. They make better servants. he
thinks, and can domineer over them more than
he can over white walters. Taggart's father was
D Democrat, and taught him this. am for Col
Merrill and the whole Republican ticket. He is
q man who fought for his country, and belongs
to the party that had such leaders as Wendell
Phillips and Abraham Lincoln.
Charles Lanier, when called upon, remarked:
''I am Republican, but not much of speaker
try to do good deal of the hustng at the
polls on election day 1t is then want to do my
work. have done such service in this ward for
eight years, and intend to keepit up in the in
terest of the Republican party. l hear some
talk about disaffection among the colored peo-
ple 1t crops out in every compaign, but within
all these eight years l never knew of but one
colored man voting the Democratic ticket. He
will not do it this year if / can help it."
Frank Welsh and Felix Davis made brief but
effective speeches, when Jacob Franklin, the
lawyer, said: "Some time ago I met John Ian
ders, and asked him how it came about that he
hs employed so many colored people at his pork
house; Because they can do the work, he re-
piled With me it is not question of politics,
but work. That is the way it is with Taggart
and Sullivan. They employ colored men because
they do the work, and Taggart pays his walters
$50 per month, not quite So per week, when white
walters were paid at that restaurant Sc
per week and struck for 81. If Taggart goes
Into the auditors Office, he will take moss-back
Democrats in there with him, and that is enough
for me. l am Republican, have always been
one. and expect to continue SUCH"
A general rally of colored voters, under the
auspices Of the Merrill Club. will be held at the
same place Friday evening.
--Gn~