Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-06

WANTED SOME LAWS ENACTED But ooxpxNN
ALL KA1onATIoN scHEMEs-rHK CLOSING Pro-
cEEDINos roDAY.
1t was 11A5 when the national colored con-
vention was called to order this morning and
opened with prayer by Rev. Hurley Of New
York.
The chair observing Mrs J. Ellen Foster of
Iowa In the audience suggested that she take q
place upon the platform, and Rev. Derrick,
observing also that Mrs. Roberts, widow Of ex-
President Roberts Of Liberia, was in the hall,
included her in the invitation and committee
escorted the ladies to the cushioned chairs on
the platform. Representative Cheatham of
North Carolina was also present on the plat
form.
AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHOSEN.
A motion for call of states to give each
state an opportunity to elect its member Of the
executive committee caused the first sparring
match OF the morning, involving the question
whether the permanent officers should be
elected by the executive committee or the con-
vention. This last was fought over at great
length and the constitution adopted last night
was repeatedly referred to in defense of both
sides.
Much confusion prevailed and the chair had
great difficulty in preserving order. The chair
finally decided that the convention should elect
the officers, and the call Of states for the cleo
uon OF members of the executive committee was
begun. The call was frequently interrupted.
When Maryland was reached there was a big
light in the state delegation, two candidates be-
ing In the field and hot words passing between
their respective supporters. The majority can
dloate was declared elected and the waves of
passion quickly subsidized. round Of applause
followed the nomination Of Representative
Che0tham the member for North Carolina
The executive committee is as follows: p.
j. Crenshaw, Alabama; J. II. Gaunt, Arkansas;
Horner Bishop, California; Thos. A. Semkly,
Colorado; -, Delaware; I. M. Robinson,
Florida; I. G. Peck, Georgia; Rev. VIM. Clay,
Illinois; J. M. Townsend, Indiana; Alex. Clark,
lucky; L. A. Maitmett, Louisiana; Geo. W. Ball.
Maine; Hiram Watly, Maryland; Nelson G. Gas
ton. Massachusetts; Waiter Y. Clark,
S Msss'n Hin, M....ippi Smith n ainns ss1
ray, Missouri: A. O. johnson, Montana;
X. s.. Smith, Nebraska; -, Nevada;
7. H. Vance, New Hampshire; VIM. Murrell,
New Jersey; Washington Parker, New York; H.
I. Cheatham, North Carolina: -, North
oregon; Brady Smith, Pennsylvania; -,
Rhode Island; Thomas E. Walter, South Caro-
lima; -, South Dakota; T. b. Jackson, Ten
nessee; 8. Down, Texas: Joseph Z. Johnson.
Vermont; ]. Anderson Taylor, Virginia; -,
washington; Rider A. Dawson. West Virginia.
=, Wisconsin; George II. Bux, Arizona;
E. P. McCabe. Oklahoma; p. H. Carson, Dis
trict Of Columbia.
THE POLITICIANS WIN.
At the conclusion of the call Hon. Henry
DeMas of Louisiana, who has been twenty
years a state senator there, offered a resolution
excluding any aspirant for Office under the
federal administration from holding office I'M
der the national association. There are in
the convention a church faction, political fac
tlon, northern and a southern faction,
which have repeatedly shown themselves
throughout its several sessions There is also
considerable element that wishes to avoid
any Endorsement of the administration or Of
Tense to it, and nearly every question brings
out dozen champions Of these several follow
ings. The politicians secured the tabling of
the resolution.
The resolution by R. 8. Smith of Florida that
two delegates from each southern state be ad-
ded to the committee on southern outrages was
adopted.
An address to the people from the committee
on resolutions was read by Hon. John r.
Lynch and adopted, and after another sharp
and successful fight for the election of officers
by the convention, led by II. c. C. Astwood of
New York, the convention took recess for the
/ O'Clock reception rendered them by the Presi-
dent, and will convene Immediately thereafter
for the election of officers, which will conclude
THE ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE.
The address adopted recites at length the
grievances complained of by colored citizens
in the south and says that having full faith in
the fairness and justice of the American people,
they make an earnest appeal to public opinion
for justice and fair play. 1--WE feel" the adj
dress continues, THAT it is our duty
to applaud the acts and indorse the
utterances of our friends, it matters
not where they are or to what party
they may belong. We therefore urge upon the
colored American voters of the United States.
especially III localities the public sentiment of
which secures to them the efficacy and potency
OF their votes, to supper tin the future only
such candidates for public Office are known
to be in favor OF justice to the colored Ameri-
can citizen. To us this should be the para
mount consideration. Questions relating to
governmental policy and administration as,
for instance. the tariff, civil service reform
and the financial policy of the government,
we should make secondary and subordinate.
Without regard to the attitude Of parties upon
such questions, and without regard to our own
views upon them, We feel that it Is our duty to
support only that party and only such candi-
dates for Office as are known to be friendly to
our course, until all political parties will accord
to us the rights and privileges to which we are
entitled under the Constitution and laws OF the
land.
PETITIONS TO CONGRESS-.
We earnestly petition the present Congress to
SO amend the federal judiciary law as will make
it possible for the federal courts to organize
juries that will be favorable to the enforce
ment Of the laws.
We also petition the present Congress to en-
act into law some such bill as the "Blair edu-
cational bill, believing, do, that it is the
duty of the national government to assist the
several states in the education of the people
and that the money thus appropriated be ap-
portioned on the basis of illiteracy.
We also petition the present Congress to 80
amend the national interstate commerce law as
will nullify the effects of such state legislation
as provides separate cars for white and colored
passengers, believing, as We do, that such state
legislation, 80 far as the same may be applicable
to interstate roads, is clearly unconstitutional,
to say nothing of its injustice.
We also petition the present Congress to
pass such a law as will put federal elections
under federal control
We also petition the present Congress to pass
q law reimbursing the depositors Of the late
Freedmen's saving and trust company for the
losses sustained by them through the failure
of that institution.
OPPOSED. TO EMIGRATION.
The propositions now pending in Congress
colored American citizens of this country to any
other country or even to any other part of our
own country, through governmental aid, meets
with our most emphatic condemnation and dis
approval, for we cannot receive government
tai aid to exile ourselves from this country
as neutralizing element against our own
growing numbers or as an excuse for
the nation not dong its duty toward us as
American citizens. While we recognize the