Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-21
THE NEGRO IN POLITICS.
Mr.. Still Speaks of the Work of the
Democratic Bureau.

Mr.. Still Speaks of the Work of the
Democratic Bureau.
The headquarters of the Afro-American
bureau Of the democratic congressional COM
mittee presented a scene of busy activity
this morning. Chief r. G. Still. who has
been canvassing several states In the inter-
test of the bureau, has returned to the city,
and he and his assistants were busily en-
gagged in sending out campaign literature
Into the various states where the colored
vote is doubtful.
In reply to queries from The Star repre-
sentative M. Still said: Il don't know
that 1 can say anything now Of great inter-
| est to the public. We are quietly doing the
work We contemplated in the outset. As
you see, We are sending literature to all
PARTS Of the country which is especially
adapted to the voters of color This Htera-
trre. which is prepared and selected by US,
Is not for the colored democrat but for the
colo-ed republican. The demand for 1t in
creaseS daily, and 1t comes not only from
our people but from whites as well. This
latter fact Is significant, since 1t shows
that the democrats themselves are hopeful
OF setting the negro vote, and we believe
we can II We succeed in reaching them
Ine negroes Of this country are fast be-
ginning TO think for themselves especially
the northern negro. He Is learning that II
Is his vote which has elected every Presi-
Gent In the last twenty years. and yet when
ne mas DESIRED Tor himself election to any
hatlonal position he has been shelyed The
greater the republican majority in his
state, the less representation he gets We
nave never had a colored member of Con-
gress from any state north of Mason ana
Dixon's line, and no representation In the
legislatures of any northern state except
where our overwhelming numbers COM
PEELED such election.
Take Pennsylvania, for instance where
reaches CT L.,
holds no elective position in that state, and
yet. when party lines are strictly drawn. he
elects or defeats any nominee. To show
you that the negroes are thinking a prom
inent colored man from one of the doubtful
states, writes me as follows: Ever since the
negro has held the ballot he has been the
power necessary to the election of every
President of the United States In the
states of Indiana, Illinois Ohio New York
and North Carolina his vote is not only the
balance Of power, hut as goes that vote SO
tion.'
This Is true. and the writer is not the only
negro In the country who has learned tina I
fact, and is beginning to turn it over in his
mind.
These thinking negroes we are going to
get, and their numbers are legion They
are not unmindful of Lincoln, Sumner
Seward, Chase and others who championed
they realize fully that with the change of
times conditions have changed, and their
political status also.
I'VE are getting some assistance from our
people, and many of the department en-
pioyes have assisted us with both time and
money, and We are grateful to them and
expect more. The expense of running the
bureau, together with the expense OF print
ing the literature We are issuing, is no
small one Our contributions do not only
come from colored employees, but from col
cred well wishers all over the country and
cur white friends. In fact, the major por-
ton OF our contributions have come from
white friends, who are anxious to see the
political emancipation of the negro"
The literature which was sent out today
was in the form of an address to the col
cred voters of the country. These docu-
ments have been put into every state in
the country.