The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-04-11
NEW MOVE In POLITICS.
A Conference of Alabama Republicans Pre-
posesto Reorganizet the Party IN That State.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala, April 10.-The confer
ence of white Republicans, called together
for the purpose of r~eorganizing the Repub-
lican party in Alabama, on a protective
tariff basis, and thereby relieve it from be-
ing called the negro party, met this after
noon. Some three hundred delegates were
present. all but a few being Republicans
of many years standing, and many of them
having been prominent as leaders since the
war. l.. +. Parsons, jr., called the meeting
to order, and stated that it's purpose was to
organize a protective league throughout
Alabama. No negroes would be admitted,
and no white man who was not in SYM
pathy with the movement. 1t was not
intended to drive anybody, white
or black, from the party, and
if negroes wanted to get to-
gether and organize their own league
there was no objection. Col. j. H. Sloss. of
Huntsville, was made chairman, and a
committee of eleven was appointed on reso-
buttons. The committee on resolutions re-
ported a series of resolutions declaring that
the time had come when the Republican
party should organize on the issue. of pro-
that principle should join with them. They
also reported a constitution for a white Re-
publican tariff league of the State of Ala
bama. Both resolutions and constitution
were unanimously adopted. The following
officers were unanimously elected: Presi-
dent, w. H.. Smith, Republican Govern
or of Alabama in 1868; vice-president,
L. E. Parsons. jr., a prominent leader of
the party in all conventions for many
years; treasurer, c.. b. Lane, editor of the
Huntsville Independent, an a%nti-negro
An executive committee, composed of two
from each congressional district. was
elected, and q vlce-president for each
county chosen by the executive committee.
The vice-presidents are instructed to go at
once to work In their severa! counties
organize branch leagues throughout the
State. Several men who. objected to the
exclusion of the negro made protest and re-
tired. One had to be threatened with eject
ment by the police. Arrival conference was
called by the negroes and followers OF
DR.. A.. Merely, chairman of the regular
Republican State committee of Alabama.
The negroes and whites of the conference
met separately this morning, the negroes to
the lumber of 80. Many speeches were
made protesting against the effort of GER
tain white Republicans to exclude the ne
gro from the party, and resolutions were
adopted emphasizing the protest. and de-
claring that the negro constitutes the back
bone of the party in Alabama; he is 80 per
cent. of it's voting power, and is now capable
of holding Office, and ought to have some of
the offices. A committee OF nine, one from
each district, and one from the State at
large, was appointed to convey these reso-
lutions and lay the case of the negro before
President Harrison.
The conference of the regular white Re-
publicans met az Erswell Hall and pro-
tested against the attempt of the others to
constitute themselves a party, and avowed
their purpose to stand by the negro and the
old organization. A committee was ap-
pointed to invite the negroes to meet in
Joint session. The white conference this
morning had none of what are called DEM
ocratic protectiOnists among its members.