The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-12

The conference OF tho colored men OF
the State to discuss the best methods
for promoting and advancing tho inter
ests OF the colored race, assembled yes
terday at Mt. Zion Church in East Roam
oke. The attendance by the LEGAL col
ored men. was large and a number Of
delegates were present from different
sections OF the State and from Wash.
ington' Among the prominent people
from out OF the city are T. S. Edmonson,
of Smythe; W. O. Martin, of II enry, and
j. A. Crockett, Of Wythe.
The meeting was called to order at
noon by Il. j. Edmouson, the chairman
of the conference committee, and the
call was read by Rev. w. E. Johnson,
secretary of same committee. The
chairman OF the committee then moved
to elect John a. Crockett, of Wythe
county, temporary chairman, and
Robert Cox, OF Lynchburg, temporary
secretary, and hot fight inn ediately
began which lasted throughout the
whole day.
A. j. Oliver, and others of the Roam
oke delegation, claimed that the meet
ing had right to name its own g fairs
temporary as we'll as private, and that
the attempt of the conference commit
tee to run in ''cut and dried" set OF
officers WAS an Infringement on the
rights of the body.
There is also trouble about seating
the Roanoke delegation, who were
elected by a mass meeting held here
which had not, it is claimed, received
instructions from the conference com.
mitt4a ha a ~
which is one delegate to every 100
'colored voters, or fraction of hundred,
which would give Roanoke twenty-three
delegates.
1t is claimed by some OF the local col
ored men that the whole programme
was arranged in Washington and is an
attempt to map out the political polio Y
of the colored voters without their con-
sent.
The meeting adjourned until to day,
without organization.
' The faction of the conference that
was opposed to the measures of the
Roanoke delegation met last night at s
o'clock at private residence and held
caucus. This meeting was also called
to order by t. j. Edmonson, chairman
OF the conference committee, and the
body proceeded to business without re.
gard to the absense Of the delegates
from Roanoke and elected j. A.
Crockett, OF Wythe, temporary chair.
man and Robert Cox. of Lynchburg,
temporary secretary.
committee on credentials was ap-
pointed, which, after retiring, reported
in favor OF seating all the delegates
present from abroad and giving Roanoke
seven delegates, which is a concession
OF two. committee on permanent
MIA finn W. on ;ol, ,,,;lI
report this morning. The meeting
then adjourned to meet to-day at 10
o'clock. either at the old Opera House
or at Davis hall.
representative of THE TINES saw
Chairman Thomas j. Edmonson last
night, who explained the difficulty as
follows:
SIN the call which was issued July
there was no basis Of representation
given, but it was stated how many dele
gates each county and city was entitled
TO and Roanoke was allowed five. In a
circular letter OF instructions issued
previously the basis was laid down for
one delegates for every 100 voters, but
the committee found 1t necessary to
change the basis of representation.
The Roanoke people claim not to have re-
ceived the call until too late and there
from they sent twenty-three delegates
The charge that this Is prearranged
scheme to control the political actions
OF the colored people OF this city is
erroneous. The object Of the conference
is to consider the opposing influences
which retard the development Of the
educational, moral, financial and indus
trial interests of our race and to effect
if possible general organization to ad-
vance the material prosperity of colored
American citizens.
1--WE want to devise some means by
which the race can reach a higher plane
OF development without which we can.
not exercise the rights and receive the
recognition we are entitled to. AS far as
| am concerned 1 will endeavor to keep
any political scheme out of the con.
ference. We want the Roanoke people
to join us in these discussions but they
cannot enter with more than seven del
egates."
1t has not been decided what course
) will be pursued by the Roanoke dele
CATION. 1t has been arranged to hold a
mass meeting tonight at the old opera
house at S o'clock, to which everybody
who has the interests of the colored
race at heart are invited to be present.;
white as we'll as colored citizens
CIRCUIT COURT OPENED.