Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-08-11
DoDGED THE QUESTION.
Chairman Carter Refused to Talk About
the Force Bill and the Recognition OF
Negro Republicans.


the Force Bill and the Recognition oil
Negro Republicans.
New York, Aug, MIR. Whitelaw
Reid, Republican candidate for Vice
president, and other prominent leaders
Of the party, tired out with their unsuc.
cessful efforts 10 WOO and win cX- Sena.
tor Plat and his big machine. turned
their attention to the State League Of
Clubs yesterday. They found the
young people much more eager to obey
President Harrison's instructions than
the experienced hands had been.
A meeting of the executive committee
of the state league was held in Parlor
d r Of the Fifth Avenue Hotel, at
which Mr.. Reid and the others were
present. 1t was fairly successful
meeting, but ii was notable chiefly for
the manner in which Chairman Carter
of the national committee evaded some
pointed questions as to the position
which the party would take on the Force
bill.
This question was put TO him pretty
squarely ny the Rev. 4. Thomas
Fortune, the well.known colorcd editor.
The celebrity with which the subject
was dropped and the haste which all
hands made to get away from il is said
to have been the liveliest incident of the
Republican campaign up to this time,
President E. A. McAlpin Of the State
League was in the chair, and job Il.
Hedges, the secretary, was at his post,
About 80 members of the executive
committee were present, and in addi-
ton to these there were Chairman
Carter of the national committee, Chair
man IlaGkett Of the state executive com
mittce, Senator Frank Hiscock, who had
just come from Washington, A. B. Hum
phreys, secretary Of the National League,
and few local politicians who were 1T.
tracted by the presence of so many high
dignatares Of the party
1t was suggested that candidate Reid
would have a word to say ii he was
properly asked A committee composed
Of Charles A. Hess, John +, Henry and
John Van Noorhis was appointed to as
certain if he would come and talk, lie
came, escorted by the committee, and
was greeted with applause. He urged
the gentlemen present to join with the
other Republican forces and help elect
him. lie assured them that they had
an important place in the party.
Chairman Carter also spoke, urging
the state League 10 cooperate with the
regular organization and advising it to
extend its organization. Up to this
time everything had been pleasant and
delightful.
But Mr. Fortune put a stop to all this
by asking embarrassing questions. When
Chairman Carter ended his speech, Mr..
Fortune asked
what will be the attitude Of the
party toward the colorGd men? How is
Il proposed To treat than if the party is
victorious next November? What show
will the colored voters have il the Re.
pablicans secure the election Of Mr..
llarrisong"
Most Of those present construed these
questions to mean, "Will the Republi-
cans promise to enact a Force bill II they
are successful next fallt"
On this question Chairman Garter was
not to be caught mapping, He was too
smooth" 70 admit that The Force bill
would be the first thing President Har-
risen would call for after his election
| IN view Of what has been said of this as
An issue. He stroled his 'Uncle sam
whiskers while he deliberately declared
that he could do no better than refer
Mr. Fortune to the platform Of the party,
aiding that 1t might not be proper for
HIM to assume 10 lay down principles
| other than those contained III the plat
| form on which the party stood.
Mt Fortune asked il something more
explicit than this statement could moi
be made. The Republican leaders sat
about, in hope that something would be
done 10 choke oil this troublesome man
| Fortune
Isn't what has been said satisfac,
tory:" asked Charles A. Hess.
No, not exactly" replied Mr.. For
time. ut is not precisely what /
wanted.
YES" sail Mr. Hess, u think il is
| what you wanted
Mr. Furtune concluded that Mr.. Hess
knew more about il than he did appar.
entity, for he sat down and allowed lie
meeting 10 go on uninterrupted.
| -1sl---.f.--