The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-08-29
THE L LINE.
The Patriotic Sons of America Discussing
the Matter.

the Matter.
PHILADELPHIA. Aug. 2G.-The session
of the National camp of the Patriotic
Sons of America this morning was a
secret one. The question of admitting
colored members into the order con
sumed the entire morning. A number
of ballots were taken but each one re-
suited the same-tifty-nine in favor of
admittance of colored members and
thirty-one against it. The most oppo-
sition of eliminating the word white
from the constitution comes from dele
gates from Illinois and Ohio who voted
as a unit against it. Four.hfths
of the vote of the entire convention is
necessary to make any alterations in the
constitution of the order. The import
ance of the question before the conven-
ton, the breaking down of the color line,
to which the order has steadily adhered,
was plainly evidenced by the full attend
ance of the delegates. The question
came up on a motion to strike out the
word white" in the constitution relat-
ing to the qualifications Of members.
Common Councillor Stephen B. Clip
son of the seventh ward and a member
of Washington camp No. 80 of
this city. composed of colored
men. was accorded the privilege of
the floor and for one hour made a pow
erful and eloquent appeal for the recog-
milton of his race. The sentiment of the
convention was strongly in favor of adj
mission. the Pennsylvania delegation be
ing unanimous in the colorcd mans
favor. but the arbitrary clause in the
constitution requiring a four-tifths vote
to annul or change the constitution ma
bled the opponents TO defeat the meas
ures. The vote on the motion found 80
in favor and "a against, but before the
result was announced two members who
voted in the affirmative changed then
vote from yea to nay in order to enable
them to move for a reconsideration
During the progress of the debate a tel
, egram from New Orleans was received
which conveyed the sentiment of Louis
ianians on the subject. The dispatch
, which was signed by the officers of thu
state encampment. read: I'VE wire tina
the national encampment at least post
5 pone action on the color question an
other year. Further discussion vii
= bring more light and better understand
9 ing on the real conditions south to oul
( brethren of the north, who can then act
0 more advisedly." At the evening SEES
e sion a motion to reconsider the question
y of admitting colored men was made, bu'
e lost. Tabling of the motion without vot'
e was the work of members in favor o
+ admitting colored members, who by thi
device left the question still open. Thu
1 question will probably be called up agail
1 tomorrow. There was discussions OF
changes to the constitution and the rit
ual.
The following nominations of officer
were made: National president, Georg
p. Smith, Colorado. and &. f. Huttor
: Pennsylvania: national vice presiden'
y j.. II. Williams, Colorado; master c
forms-C. NJ. Reed, New Jersey; NJ.
G Evans. Kansas. and II. o. Kutz. Ohio
secretary-F. f. Steisc. P~ennsylvani;
and +. W. Henley. Ohio; assistant secr'
tary- c. NJ. Taylor, Pennsylvania; trea
urer-J. II. Hotfer, Pennsylvania; chat
man--Rev. j. b. May. Pe%nnsylvanit
CONDUCTOR. II. Kilton. Colorado; F..
lie Hess. Ohio; INSPECTOR. ii. Hughe
Pennsylvania; guard-Dr. w. a. Eos
Missouri. Adjourned.