The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-07-27
THEY ADJOURNED In PEACE
After Two Days Session a Few Colored
Men IndOrSe Cleveland'S Democracy.
Milton Turner. Kept Out of the Chair, Sur
renders to His Enemies When He Obtained
Control Of the Executive Committee.


grazing themselves by their conduct while here.
The meeting began in arrow, developed into a
mob. and there is no telling how 1t might have
ended had not the superintendent Of police been
called upon to detail officers to attend the con-
~vention. The demeanor OF the leaders all the
way through the meeting indicated that they
had no interest in what might be done, only SO
far a. it benefited them personally. 1t was
never the Democratic party, but self all the
time, that inspired whatever was done. The
hslf-dozen colored Democrats, of Indianapolis,
who welcomed the delegates, became Disguised
Wednesday. and the officers Of the Hendricks
Club. an organization which became sponsor
Of the convention when IL first met, had to say
yesterday "We have got enough" They gave
the delegates notice that they could not longer
occupy their rooms.
Many of those who came to attend the con-
vention were SO thoroughly Disguised with
Wednesdays proceedings that they left for
home that night. When yesterdays session
WAS called to order at 10 o'clock there were only
about forty delegates present. Acting Superin-
tsndent Campbell was present at the request of
the more peacable delegates. and be had with
"a oh4 AoobAoy <A1A@ScS
ing Chairman Shelton. Superintendent Camp
bell told him he wanted him to give the police
officers instructions, who would remain in the
room all day. To the policemen he said that if
delegates so far forgot themselves az to engage
In q riot, he wanted them arrested, whether
they be government officers or not. and brought
to the police station. At the conclusion of the
superintendent remarks Chairman Shelton
replied: That's right, sir. II / violate the
law place me In the body of your bastile."
The presence of the officers had q good effect
and the session proceeded without any threats
or personal violence to anyone. After the
police had been regularly installed, Chairman
Clarke called on Elder j. r. McDaniels. OF Illi-
nois, to offer prayer. The Elder requested the
delegates to join with him in singing . hymn,
and because they refused to do it he would not
pray and left the hall. After some delay the
prayer was made by Rev. Mitchell Of Michigan.
Mr.. Clark then delivered his address. which had
been prepared before he came here. 1t was
quite lengthy. dwelt almost wholly OH the
mistreatment OF the colored people In the South,
and pretended 10 give some reasons why negroes
should vote the Democratic ticket. AT the con-
clusion of the address, I. Thomas Fortune called
attention TO the fact that reports were being
circulated about a lack OF harmony in the con-
ventlon. Mr.. Turner, speaking on the same
subject, said he and his followers had fought
bravely and retired grandly. He wanted 20 do
something for the Democratic party. and If the
convention would give him a position he would
show them what be could do.
After q number Of addresses had been offered.
Mr.. Fortune. of New York. chairman of the
committee on resolutions, submitted a report.
The resolutions Endorsed President Cleveland
and his free-trade message to Congress. They
stated the convention concurred In
all that was done at the St. Louis
convention, and pledged the support of
the delegates to the Democratic national ticket.
Sympathy with the Irish In their efforts to Sc
cure the right to rule themselves was expressed.
and an endorsements of the proposition that the
federal government reim ourse the defrauded de-
positors of the defunct Freedman's Saving and
Trust Association.
Simpson, of Pennsylvania. and the remainder OF
the delegates made such threats against him
that he left the hall. and did not return. After
. great deal of discussion aud wrangling it was
decided to appoint q national Democratic COM
mittee, composed of one member from each
State represented. the delegates from each State
TO name their representative The convention
then adjourned until $3.50 o'clock.
1t was nearly 4 o'clock before the meeting re-
convened. Chairman Clark stated that it had
been published 10 all the papers OF the country
that fifteen delegates TO the convention had
called on General Harrison. He denounced the
statement as afalsehood-
A long discussion then ensued over q resolu-
ton. presented by Taylor, of Kansas City,
thanking the people of indianapolis, the Hen
bricks Club and the press for courtesies extended.
j. Gordon Street. of Boston, opposed thanking
all the press. He thought the Indianapolis
News should be made an exception, because, as
he alleged, it had not treated the convention
fairly. Some one thought the Journal should
also be left out, but Mr.. Street thought it's re-
port was not Objectionable. Turner thought
the convention should send its compliments TO
the Journal and News for the assistance they
had rendered, and the resolutions were adopted,
Dir. Street alone voting against them.
1t was supposed the personal fight between
Turner and Clark was ended. and many of the
delegates were therefore considerably surprised
when +. V. Anderson, of Pennsylvania. intro
duced a resolution making j. Milton Turner
chairman of the national Democrats commit
tee to be selected. The resolution threw the
Clark followers into a state OF excitement, and
there came near heine q repetition OF the scenes
of Wednesday. The Clark men declared that the
convention could not name the chairman CT the
committee. because it had not yet been appointed.
aud on that question there was an exciting debate
Fremont. of Virginia. declared that Turner was
the only man who could influence any Virginia
Democrats. Said be: 'You might as we'll try
TO lift this building on the wings OF a canary
bird as to try to preach Democracy to the col
ored men of the South" The remark was re-
scented by several delegates. and seeing there
was going to be trouble. Anderson. at the re-
quest OF Turner, withdrew his motion. The
oh8NS1 10 tasa aAAS4 ~ N4o hAAt " Az
national committee. The following were selected:
District of Columbia. r. B. Robinson; Indiana,
G. Fl. Shelton; Illinois, W. t. Scott; Iowa,
Charles Curtis; Kansas, Frank Boyd; Kentucky.
j. A Ross: Massachusetts, G. b. Plummer;
Michigan, Geo. u. Moore; Missouri, j. Milton
Turner; New York, Henry F. Downsy; Ohio, K.
A. Jones; Pennsylvania, T. A Anderson: South
Carolina. p. A. j. Clemmens; Tennessee, Ii. C.
Smith; Virginia, G. W. Fisher.
James Vena, of Missouri. was made q men,
Der OF the committee but declined TO serve, and
:. Milton Turner was appointed He refused to be
q member Of the com mittee on the ground that
there was no need for one. at has been charged
that We were for sale" said he, land the ap-
pointment Of this committee looks like it. / dc
not see the necessity for any committee. The
convention at ST. Louis appointed q national
committee, and as a Democrat / say that one is
good enough for me. think the white com-
mittee il good enough for me. do not want o
black committee"
As soon as the names of the were
announced, Anderson, Of Pennsylvania, renewed
his resolution making Turner its chairman.
Turner's old enemy. TAYLOR. of Kansas City. was
immediately on his feet. and moved that the
convention adjourn sine die. All the delegates
were on their feet in q moment and the mingled
cries Of Yes and mo- made il impossible to
hear anything the chairman said. A Kentucky
delegate grew very boisterous In his threats to
whip some one 10 the rear part of the room.
and would not be Quoted until
the chairman told him he would
send the 'brass buttons after him il he did not
behave. When quiet had been restored Turner
asked when the national committee would meet
In case there was an adjournment 'Never."
said several delegates That's the reason we
" -. = N4t