Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-24

The routine business of the afternoon ses-
sion was interrupted by resolution to ex-
clude reporters from the meeting, but it was
voted down, after a spirited discussion.
When the roll was called it was found that
80 delegates were present, representing the
counties of Allegheny, Mercer, Indiana,
Lawrence, Armstrong and Washington.
THE ONLY FEMALE MEMBER.
Mrs. Broadax Smith made an address, being
accorded the honor of the floor first, as being
the only feminine member. She talked en-
colored people in their own behalf, and said it
was time, now, that education was leaving its
mark in bright characters upon the race, to
show that they were not mere puppets in the
hands of designing politicians. but living think
ing, acting beings. who now. through the grace
of God, have minds of their own. While, she
said, she did not wish to detract anything from
the greatness OF those white men who had Sc
cured the freedom from slavery Of the blacks,
she thought the blacks had been penitent and
subservient enough to the whites during the
days since the war to repay the debt of graft
tude. and now was the time for them to organ
ize as solid, law-respecting people of them
selves, and they wsuld thus solve the aggravat-
ing race problem that seemed to- worry the
white folks SO much. She quoted Rev. DR..
Price in the hope that the black people would
multiply In this country SO rapidly that In q few
years the white folks would wonder where they
Rev. q. W. Clinton, of this city, formerly of
North Carolina, where he served as slave for
four years. said the colored people have always
reminded him of a crab in q basket. II he could
not get out himself he would catch the tail of
the crab that was getting out and pull him
back.
THE PLATFORM OF MANHOOD.
The time for such conduct is past, and the
colored man must ask the political parties for
equal treatment and equal representation on
the platform of manhood and womanhood. The
colored race wanted a fai- chance in the race
of life. They wanted their people to be placed
in the positions their abilities entitled them to.
Much of the hindrance to the progress OF the
blacks was due TO themselves. They were not
fair and did not treat each other as if they
were the eqnals of the whites. He re-
cited a case as an illustration. He came
to his home in the South, one day. very tired
and thirsty. and asked his wife for a drink.
She brought him drink in a common tin dip
per. Ten minutes later a tired white man COM
ing along the road, stopped and asked for a
drink. The tin dipper was not good enough,
but the good woman must scurry around and
get the white man the best drinking glass in
the house, and she must give IL an extra wash
ing and cleaning before she proffered 1t to the
white man, who received 1t with scarce thanks,
and much as matter of course. The same
applied to the colored walters and porters at
the big white hotels. They treated
white guests with great Difference. but
this this respect respect they differed from the white
employees Of the hotels, whose manners they
seemed desirous Of initiating. In the South,
the speaker said, the colored people were de-
barred from the privileges Of the whites but
they were accustomed to 1t, and did not mind
it. They were compelled to ride IN jim crow
cars on the railroads, while the whites rode in
the coaches, but 1t was far preferable to ride In
a Jim crow car in the South. where it was ex-
pected and nothing better, than to ride in q
coach in the North, where the black man was
shown he was not wanted. but where he was
ra6 Al
was free, equal, and his presence desired.
THE TARIFF QUESTION.
Caesar A. Taylor made an address on the pro-
tective tariff as it affects the negro. In his ad-
dress the speaker endeavored to show that the
blacks of the present day hold the balance
of power, and if the Republican party wishes
to retain the black vote it should keep Its
pledges and ante-electIon promises, and sup
port the colored people. The North need not
shed any crocodile tears for the colored race in
the South. The South would take care of it.
self, without assistance; all they wanted was a
fair show in the political work and the fruits
thereof. pro rata: Not only in politics, but in
was the coored man trying to gain footing,
and after rs years of answering devotion to
the great Republican party the speaker
thought his race entitled to full and complete
recognition.
The Committee on State Convention re-
ported that the State organization be called to-
Getner IN LnlS CITY on the ZOtn OF August, Win
a representation OF one delegate to each
county. The report was amended, making the
representation the same as that of the State
Republican Convention. and fixing the meeting
place at Harrisburg instead of Pittsburg.
The Committee on Education reported sew
eral resolutions designed for the elevation of
the colored race, which were adopted. In one
it was stated that the census of 1890 would show
the negro population of the country to be
about 13.000,0Oo. 8,5O0.000 being in the South
As the negro increases at the rate of 30 per
cent, against 20 per cent of the whites. includ-
ing immigration, it was argued that in another
20 years the colored. population would reach
50.000,UC0.
KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.
One resolution asked that such organizations
as the American Mechanics strike out the
classes which keeps out the colored people, and
another asks that the young colored women be
employed on equality with whites, as teachers
in the public schools Still another asking that
young colored men be given positions. such as
bookkeepers, clerks, etc., when they show
ability to perform the duties.
The night session of the convention proved
unexpectedly to be the last, as 1t was found
that but little business remained and an extra
hour or two was sufficient TO wind 1t up and
allow the visiting delegates to get home.
q Mayor Gourley made short address of well
come at the opening of the session, and took
occasion to encourage the colored men in edu-
eating themselves, while warning them against
setting THEIR hearts upon pol1Clcal pOSltiOnS.
There were many other walks in life, he said,
that were more remunerative and more salts
factory than political places. and all were open
to the colored man as soon as he demonstrated
his ability to follow them.
Rev. Cesar A. Taylor responded to the
Mayors address in fitting manner.
The convention then proceeded to the regu-
lar business. Broadax Smith, as chairman,
proving himself a firm believer IN the prn-
ciples of Speaker Reed in his Interpretation of
parliamentary law. Broadax would entertain
no motion nor listen to any speech or remarks
unless it seemed to him to be in regular order.
Even motion for adjournment was raped
into silence by BrOadaX because he thought
the business could not be transacted without
MIN, and, as he announced, he had to 20 to
harrisburg this morning. The arbitrary ru-
lngs OF the chairman caused considerable nard
1eellng among the members from Beaver
county, and they left last night vowing venge-
Rev. DR.. D. P. Seaton, of Baltimore, ad-
dressed the convention on the subject of the
negros advancement in the matter of conduct
at pubic meetings and conventions.
Colnnittees were appointed to organize
Dranches OF the association in all towns and
counties Wnere none now exist.
several committees reported on the state Of
the organlzation and its reception by the COL
ored people throughout the State. after which
the convention adjourned sine die.
CABINET photos 81 per dozen, prompt de-
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