The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1888-08-10
SAN PARISH AND S. J. BELTS
HOLD A LITTLE CONVENTION ALL
OF THEIR OWN.
Sam Parish PLAYS Monkey and L ses Syl-
Ve>ter a. The Cat tn Pull ChestnutS Out
of the Fire,

Sam Parish PLAYS Monkey and 1 ses SyI-
ve>ter a. The Cat to- Pull ChestnutS Out
of the Fire.
Last Saturday was the date announced
for holding the first Wake County Conven-
ton OF the Third party in Raleigh. Time,
II O'Clock. Place, Court House.
At precisely twelve O'Clock the editor OF
the CHRONICLE went in 10 see the Conven-
ton. There were present DR.. Templeton.
candidate for elector who is also spoken of
as a candidate for Congress, and three
big negroes sitting i'll the windows
tanning themselves Not very good pros
poets for an enthusiastic meeting, we
thought. These were the sole occupants
of the Court House. Presently one of the
negroes and DR. Templeton went out
either to confer or drum up crowd In
short time white man, wearing large
white badge with the words Fisk and
Brooks" on it, entered took seat, put
on his spectacles, and began to read
Third party paper. The next conner was
Mr.. Richardson of the Visitor. who, as he
is a Radical of the old school, presumably
was present merely to report Next in
came several Democrats and then some
Third party men.
.O5. Waiting for a crowd.
The Ring Leader Enters.
II. 10 Sam Parish, the ring leader of
the movement, walked in with bundle of
papers under his arm, looking as impor
tant as special policeman on circus day
He was escorted by two negroes This
was appropriate. He has been IN the Rad
ical party so long that he would not feel
at home without negro political associates
The readers of the CHRONICLE will re
member that in 1886 this same man Parish
was candidate for nomination for one or
more offices on the Radical ticket The
contest finally came between him and a
negro for the House. The negro defeated
him. He is now the ring master and boss
of the Third party IL Wake county. From
such, Good Lord, deliver us,
1915. a negro brings in two buckets
of water. Plenty of cold water is wanted
''In hoe signo vinces."
1920. Sylvester Belts, the "me too"
of Sam Parish, enters with bundle of
papers under his arm and takes seat
1925. The crowd don t come fast enough
and so negro rings another bell to get a
crowd.
12 40 The ringing has had the desired
effect. Nearly one hundred people are in
the Court House, about equally divided
between white and black. Among the
whites are some Democratic spectators
There are probably % to 20 Third party
men.
On motion of Sylvester Belts the meet
ing was called to order by DR.. Templeton.
Initiating Radicals.
w hats the matter with Fisk" was the
first wolds Of the Third party elector, as
he walked in the bar. "Oh, he's all right, y
was the response from red faced, wild
eyed man.
whats the matter with Brooks" again
hollered Templeton.
''Oh, he's all right came from the r. f.
W. e. man from the rear.
Nv hats the matter with Walker was
the next query of the orator, and the "Oh
he's all right" came again from the r f.
". e. man.
Finishing the candidates and having
them pronounced ''all right Ghis had
apparently all been previously arranged,
if not previously rehearsed) the speaker
then called out, What the matter with
the PLATFORM" and having been assured
that it was AL right by the same indi-
yidual, who seemed to be sponsor for the
whole concern, the speaker said that the
Convention was ready for business.
1t was an amusing sight, if it had not
been a pitiable one, to see the complete
failure of the attempt to get up enthusi-
asm by the questions and answers. They
had read Of the great applause that fol
lowed this method of questioning in the
Republican National Convention when
some one would inquire, What the mat
ter with Alger2' and the galleries, in we'll
trained harmony, They had been previ-
ously paid to do it. would respond, "Oh,
he's all right" and as the Third party is
initiating the Radical party in many other
things, it tried this, but failed-and failed
Si l1y II Sil1v harInnnu
Sam Parish Disappointed.
AS the first business in order the chair
man appointed Il. A. Weathers, secretary.
"a feeling of sadness akin to pain" came
over Sam Parish S cOuntenance. AS the edi-
tor of Third Party organ he expected this
honor. But he was Tot to be downed,
and he came up smilingly on deck and
moved that all Party Pros. be entitled to
seats and votes. Carried. Sylvester Belts
followed with his motion and moved that
all parties present be allowed to remain.
Carried. Then Sam Parish moved that
Bro. Sylvester Belts be requested to pray.
Bro. Sylvester Belts prayed.
Sam Parish and Sylvester Belts.
He had hardly risen from his suppliant
attitude of devotion when Sam Parish
got the floor and moved that members of
the press be invited to seats. Bro. Syl-
vester Belts arose and solemnly seconded
| the motion which was carried.
The next thing in order, the chairman
| appointed two committees: Committee
on Permanent Organizations. J. Belts,
| A. d. Yates and Bro. Dowel; Committee
on Platform NJ. Parish, I. j. WOodall
and Bro Carter. Then these committees
| retired and for the space of more than an
hour neither Sylvester Belts nor Sam
| Parish made or seconded a motion in the
Convention. Then had the people rest ;
| Reason: They were out on the committees
| DIR. Templeton Speaks.
| Dr. Templeton, electOr for this district
proceeded to address the Convention. He
| is we'll posted on temperance topics and
made a speech giving many valuable facts
| 1t was full of anecdOte aud illustration
1t was a good temperance speech, and If he
had confined himself to talking temper
ance the CHRONICLE would be ready to en-
dorse his speech.
He began by saying that he would take
as his text The world, the flesh and the
devil" ''Passing over the world" h'
said, land touching lightly upon the flesh
| | shall proceed at once to the devil'-o
words to that effect. Applause by San
Parish and Sylvester Belts. In Novem
Der he will recall his words, and as n
man can go to the devil until he is dead
these words of the Third Party orator vii
probably constitute the epitaph of th
party:
"Gone to the Devil. "-Templeton.