Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-07-02

A large body Of colored men met Sat-
urday evening at No. 720 Shipley street,
the death place and grave yard of the
once famous Colored Mems Advisory
Council. The meeting was called to
order by Thomas Bird, and R. ]. Lewis
was urged to act as chairman for the
evening but declined to serve. Z. D.
Spencer was selected and stated the OBJ
1ect of the meeting in few well-chosen
words, in the course of which he said:
Fello,o Citizens and Gentlemen You
are aware of the fact we took an active
part in the municipal campaign and
election which took place June 9th.
We fought and did cur part. They in
structed us to get within sight Of the
enemy's eye, keep our powder dry and
fire. We fired and brought the answer,
which is political victory. You know
the Republican party is of no conse-
quence without our vote. We hold the
balance of power in our hands. 1t is
for us TO decide what use we shall make
of this power in the future. They have
distributed the offices to white men, in
Guiding Jews and Dagos, but ignore the
negro. We ought to and must have
recognition or defeat the party. Zap
plause.J
Peter s. Blake was introduced, but
declined to speak until he heard other
mems views.
William H. Clayton, the veteran
worker from the Twelfth ward, was
called upon by yells of "Clayton, Clay
ton, Clayton" Mr.. Clayton responded
by saying he is native Delawarean, born
at Dover; he has an interest in the State
and in the colored people especially.
"But," said he, "it is an internal insult
that has brought me to this meeting.
am as good Republican as lives, but
will not stand this outrageous contempt
that ignores my race, without speaking,
and Il you stand it you are not men.
] do not care whether they call me
Democrat or not. / am, henceforth
and forever, done acting as a
tool for the Republican bosses. We
may talk but it will take action
to bring the desired answer. But
few weeks ago, when the Colored Citi-
zens' Equal Rights League was organ
lied for the very 'urpose of obtaining
just what you mt are indignant over
not getting, /, with the other members
of that league, was branded as a traitor
trying to work political trick with
the Democrats to defeat Mayor ELECT
Wiley, II you had left US alone, We
would have either demanded a pledge
from the candidate or been able to more
lplainly ahow you before the election
your present dilemma. am confident
lsome colored men have yet to die
POLITICALLY before we will get our rights
from the Republican party. l am one
who shall care nothing for popularity in
the future"
Mr.. Clayton hesitated to give any
definite plans or advice, fearing his
position and intention would not be I'M
derstood by the masses. Cries of $50
on, speak out, we are with you" finally
brought out considerable wholesome in
formation that was received with round
after round of applause. He further
said 81 am in position To know that
the transparent excuse made for Mayor
Willey's action against our people by
the newspapers is a mere bluff. We
furnished nearly 1900 votes, vet we are
ignored as 'niggers,' while jew and a
"Dago" are armed with law TO arrest us
for complaining. l urge you gentle
men to appoint committee to go at
once and see Mayor Reject Wiley and
inform him of our dissatisfaction and
report, to this body by Tuesday night
Such action and reply will largely
guide my thoughts on political ques-
tons next year. What have we gained
by Mayor Harrington's administration
What will we get under Mayor Willey's
the next question? Why, when the
,mocrats are in we live, and if the
puhlicans are put in by our power
we do not live any better. / am in
favor Of urging every negro to pay his
tax and stay away from the polls in the
future, [Great applause.] The Police
Commission has nothing to do with this
natter Applause.
"We are informed that Commissioner
awson remarked to Mr.. Wiley he was
ready to vote for colored men on the
police force. Cries of That's so, that's
SOL After Mr.. Jester promised to vote
with the mayor he had nothing to do
but present names Of our men without
saying what their color might be- That
would show that the mayor is entitled
TO the exoneration the Republican
papers are endeavoring to give him.
My advice is to continue to demand
presentation upon the police force.
g want it, and want 1t now. If we do
OF get it, let every negro who does not
want to vote the Democrat ticket keep
away from the polls at next election. I
hope you will form a permanent organi-
gation and keep this subject alive
Prolonged applause.
The next speaker was William S.
evils of the Seventh ward. He eulo.
led Mr.. Wiley and challenged any
.s'son to show that the mayor-elect had
not done his whole duty.
To this intimidating remark A. Worth.
ington Brinckley, editor of The Ttctlight
promptly sat upon Lewis by showing
according to the public press, that Mr.
Wiley has not as yet presented the
name Of a single negro to the Police
Commission for patrolman, since Mr.
Jester agreed to vote with the mayor
This knocked Lewis out and the large
audience hooted him from the floor.
The meeting then went into perma,
nent organization and elected the fol.
lowing: President, Thomas Bird; Vice
President, John Waters; Secretary, II
q. Robinson; Assist Secretary, J. T
,Patten; Treasurer, William Forman
Sergeant-at-arms, Amos Collins. The
name of The organization was not sug
'gested. Other business was transacted
that will DC given publicly in the neal
future.
Another body of colored men are or
gained. They will not admit a mem
Der unldss the applicant will swear Il
support the principles of the body
These men are endeavoring to remove
educational gu stions out of politics O.
at least make il a non-partisan affair
The paesage of the Free School anc
Free Book bill and the college for col
ored people has shown that the Demo