The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-18
FIRST DAY OF JANUARY
TO BE THE NEGROES JUBILEE
HEREAFTER.

ton celebration dawned bright and beauti-
their homes, but still large number were
seen on the streets in the early part OF the
day and the vicinity OF the Exposition
building was thronged. The vendors Of APP
pies, cakes, fried chicken, and sweet potato
pies had dried themselves and their wares
from the effect Of Thursdays floods and
were doing a brisk business, notwithstand-
| ing the fact that there were at least hun
dred stands grouped round about the build
ing.
BY O'Clock Yesterday morning four or
| five hundred OF the negroes had assem-
| bed in the hall. Thirty minutes were
passed in waiting for the crowd OF Thurs
| day TO reassemble, tut those who remained
| in the city seemed to prefer TO stay on the
outside and save their dimes, and at no
time during the day did the crowd in the
building exceed more than few hundred.
THE SONG.
Rev. j. A. Taylor called the convention
TO order at IL 80 o'clock and announced the
openjng hymn, "When Peace Like River
| Prayer was then offered by Rev. W. W.
Brown. president of the True Heformers'
Savings Bank. The meeting then sung
Jesus, Lover of NV SOUL"
| The Committee Of Credentials reti red, ana
ALI delegates present proceeded to register.
The Chair stated that this would have been
done Yesterday, but for the fact that the
heavy rain prevented, They sung 81 Need
Thee Every Hour" and after 1t was sung
Rev. w. w. Brown addressed the assembly,
Several other short speeches were then
made. insterspersed with hymns ana IN
sirumental MUSIC,
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
1t was then moved that they 90 into the
election Of permanent organization, anu
Rev. j. A. TAYLOR and Rev. 4. II. Payne, OF
West Virginia. were nominated for the posi-
ton of permanent chairman. The con-
fusion which followed this nomination was
ludicrous. The voice OF the chair Ooulu
scarcely be heard. At times there were as
many as dozen on the floor at
once with loud calls OF Mr.. Chair-
man. parliamentary rules were nan
died in a reckless manner. The chairmaus
oavel kept up lively rattle. and his voice
! sorId be heard above the din crying, order,
| orderl The chair insisted that in the al
sence Of any parliamentary manual ne
| would rule as he choose. THIS met WIN lhe
decided disapproyal Of many on the moor,
but he persstently used his gayel and heid
his Ground until order was finally partially
restored.
sHUTTLE-COCkING RULES.
After parliamentary rules were shuttle
! cooked Tor an hour or more, D. a. Ia!IOr
was elected president by vote of 81 to l4O,
and the vote was then made unanimous.
II was next moved that John Mitchell, Jr.,
be declared secretary OF the convention.
He was elected by a unanimous VOte. seNr
eral speeches were made bringing out the
moral courage and sterling worth Of that
individual. 1t was moved that George
Williams. Jr., he elected yice-presi-
dent. an amendment was maze 10
this that power be conferred on
the chair 10 appoint one wee
president from each state ana territory
The motion was lost in the noise, ana was
not heard from again. At this time there
was so great confusion on the moor ana
50 many personal remarks made to the
Chair chat he at last, by reason OF stronger
lungs. gained the attention OF the cOnyen-
ton. and appealed to the body for prOtec-
ton while in the chair, saying that out OF
the chair he was fully able to protect NM
self from any assault. The president yer!
Indignantly denied charge made by
member that females had been allowed TO
| vote.
LUEG POWER.
As late as $3.50 o'clock little had been
done EXCEPT the development OF lung power
At this time +. A. Randolph offered resO-
luton that they now proceed TO decide upon
n day TO be celebrated annually, This res0-
luton was adopted, and ID. y. Nass0r
moved that the 22d day Of september be Sc
lected: April Sd was also named.
r. q. Ragland. of Mobile, Ala, opposed
both September 22d and April Sd, as those
dates both nterlered with the planting ana
gathering of the cotton crop, and spoke
strongly in favor Of January lst.
A substitute was offered by the norfolk
delegate that January LIST he made the day
for the celebration. This was urged by him
with that eloquence peculiar to his race
GEORGE WILLIAMS.
Before the motion was put the chairman
introduced George Williams, DR., as the
originator of the convention. lie READ
lengthy paper, which presented his reason
for calling the convention. In his paper ne
said that the negro would nave been lar
more prosperous now had he not waited so
long after he gained his freedom for the
coming of his Messah-forty acres land a
mule.
The motion was then put to the mouse,
and the LIST day of January was unanimous
" adopted as the day TO be hencel0rth ana
forevermOre celebrated as the day on when
they were drought out of the land OF
Egypt and delivered from the yoke OF bon
dage."
LOUD HURRi4s.
The result of the vote was received with
loud hurrahs. W. w. Brown then gained
the ear of the Chair and suggested tnai
they unite In prayer. This suggestion was
adopted and prayer was offered by KeV. n.
Spiller. of Hampton.
The whole convention then rose and sung
America"
George Williams, Jr.. moved that the EX-
ecutYe and General Committees come f0r-
ward on the platform, where they could be
inspected by the convention. This was
adopted and both committees presented
themselves on the front OF the platform IN
half circle, and allowed wondering eyes 10
feast upon their greatness for several NM
! utes.
A resolution was then offered that the En-
ecutiye Committee be continued and that
they refer the action of this convention to
the different cities and towns in the United
states for their ratification.
JOHN c. sMYTH.
John c. Smyth, ex-Minister to Liberia,
addressed the convention after twice de-
clining.
He said he had the honor, If it be any
honor TO have been born in the city ofRich-
mond. He said this was negro THANKS
giving Day" and he was proud OF IT. 81
| feel" he said, that we have greater rea-
sons for thanksgiving than did the Pilgrim
| fathers.
lie reminded his hearers that they were
yet far from the summit of liberty. lie said
he was praying for negro Luther, negro
Newton. and negro Bacon.
On motion, vote of thanks was rendered
10 the Executive Committee for the good
| work they had done, TO the railroads for
| their cOurtesies, TO the managers of the EX-
position for use Of the hall, to the news
papers for the kindly manner in which they
| had been reported, and to all persons who
had assisted them in holding the convention.
The following resolutions were offered by
| George Il. Downing:
1--WE, delegates from the several states
here assembled in the city Of Richmond,
deem it fitting and proper TO make formal
expression of the convictions; that we are
hereafter to offer praise, gratitude and ser
vice 10 God rather than To man, parties, or
even TO American Christianity, for the free
dom we now enjoy, and to further say we do
not lpsDoir having Our rights fully reSUpef-