Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-07-26
BEYOND THE ROCKIES.
Passage at Arms Between
Negro Romans.
MORE SUCKERS VISIT All BEN
White Caps Latest ExplOit-The
Dynamiters in COurt-East-
ern Echoes.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD I

Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD
INDIANAPOLIS, July 25-The Negro
Democratic National Conference, called
by ]. Milton Turner and seventeen other
colored men, convened in the rooms of
the Hendricks Club in this city this
morning. Sixty-four delegates were pres
ent. j. Milton Turner called the con-
ference to order, and proceeded to ex-
plain that the call for the conference had
been issued because he believed it was
time for the Negro voters to assert their
understanding at least OF the primary
principles OF American sovereignty. The
elevation of Cleveland to the Presidency,
he said, had brought political emancipa-
ton, which was felt by no one more than
the Negroes, and they had the honesty
and courage to meet Grover Cleveland's
administration half way.
He introduced Charles H. Shelton, of
| Evansville, Ind, as temporary chairman.
Shelton was chosen by the anti-Turner
Democrats at the stormy caucus held
last night. Shelton, in the course OF his
speech, mentioned that it was through
the aid of Democratic soldiers that he
had escaped into Ohio while slave
He believed the conference would event
ually be the means of settling the Negro
problem, and it was the purpose of the
delegates to break what the Republicans
called the solid South
Noah Plummer, of Massachusetts, was
Temporary Secretary. A resolution en-
dorsing Cleveland and Thurman was
adopted by unanimus UiUa UOce vote.
The balance OF the morning session was
occupied in noisy and heated wrangles
over the formation of the Committee on
Permanent Organization.
| The afternoon session was far more
stormy than the morning, and was given
up to discussion of the report of the
Committee on permanent organization.
The majority report recommended Peter
H. Clark of Ohio; for permanent chairman.
Thomas Fortune, of New York, was
made permanent secretary. The minority
report named j. M. Turner for permanent
chairman.
@. Fl. J. Taylor, of Kansas City, ex-
Minister to Liberia, strongly urged the
election of Clark, declaring that new con-
verts to Democracy should not be put
in charge of the ship. He characterized
Professor Clark as "the noblest Negro
Roman of them ALL"
Great confusion again prevailed and
Turner finally obtained the floor, and re-
plying to Taylor, called him National
buffoon, which threw the conference into
state of excitement.
| Half dozen others spoke.
Late in the afternoon the previous
question was moved, and after many
abortive efforts the Chairman shut off
debate and ordered the Secretary to call
the roll of States on the motion to SUBJ
stitute The minority for the majority re-
port. While the delegates would rise to
announce their votes the greatest confu-
sion prevailed. Turner declined to vote,
and asked that his name be passed.
1t was nearly 6 O'Clock when Secretary
Plummer, an avowed Turner partisan.
announced that the vote stood tie, so.
for Clark and 80 for Turner. This an
nouncement was the signal for an upris-
ing that for few minutes bid fair to
overwhelm and trample in the dust the
half dozen reporters at the press table,
including colored lady, reporter for the
Detroit Plaindealer. There was wild
rush toward Plummer, and cries of
fraud" "thief," and "You're a liar''
were roared from all sides of the hall.
The friends OF Clark gathered around
Plummer, and the Turner men shook
their fists angrily at Plummer, denounc-
ing him in vehement and profane
terms.
Finally w. T. Scott, the Cairo editor
who was conspicuously endeavoring to
protect and defend Plummer, was strnck
in the face by some one. Scott drew a
revolver from his pocket and selected
Mail Agent Ogelby, of Columbus, O., as
his victim. Matters were now at white
heat. Local spectators, both white and
black, at the sight of the pistol, made
mad rush for the door and tumbled
pell nell down stairs. Meantime
Ogelby and half dozen others had
drawn their firearms, and bloodshed,
seemed imminent, when colored police
officer rushed in, and with assistance.
showed the struggling combatants into.
the directors room in the rear, where
they again inefectively tried to shoot
each other.
Scott and Ogelby were placed under
arrest, but the officer was pre-
vailed upon to release them. Many
delegates had also fled during the fracas..
Chairman Shelton finally secured Or
der and announced that he knew that
Secretary Plummer's figures were in
correct. The true vote was 32 for
Clark and 80 for Turner, and he then.
therefore declared Peter H.. Clark, of,
Ohio, permanent presiding officer of the
conference, which then adjourned amidst
confusion until 10 o'clock tomorrow
morning. It is thought Turner and his
followers will refuse to enter the confer
ence tomorrow and will form an organic
alton of their own.
A largely. attended mass meeting was
held in the basement of the Court House
tonight. Addresses were made by
Peter Il. Clark, ]. Gordon Street, OF
Boston, ex-Minister Taylor, T. T. Fortune
and others. To-morrow's session is
looked forward to with. considerable.
interest. AT a late hour it is ascertained.
that Mail Agent Ogelby has left the CITY.
to escape arrest. He struck Scott several
heavy blows about the head, and a war
rant was issued for him tonight.
LEn II ~ n a