Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-14
THE NEGRO DEMOCRACY
The Chairman Of theDlepeland League on
Taylor.Y
He Replies to Some Remarks Made by
the RecOrder-A-Disg
Democrat.

VIM. H. Johnson, secretary of the New
York State Cleveland League writes to
The Star from Albany under date Of Sep
TENDER IL:
Under the caption Taylor Talks in your
issue Of the Sth instant" says Mr.. John
son, Il find that Recorder Taylor was
pleased to say to your reporter, speaking
of me, that a friend of mine (hs) A. Lin
coin Myers wrote me Taylo0 that the only
committeeman present at the Albany meet
ing of the New York State Cleveland
League were VIM. H. johnson. Maiden
Lane barber ETC., etc." This. Mr.. John
son says. shows Taylor up again in bad and
unreliable company.
Il am proud" he continues, that l
nave never deserted my profession as
barber, paying business, that enables
man fashion, act Independently in politics,
stand fearlessly for the rights of my race
and support the democratic party when
| find it to be the conservator Of its interests
and turn down men like Taylor, Astwood
and their kind"
Mr.. Johnson then describes his own polit-
ical services.
II organized" he said, 1.-The first and only
negro democratic national convention ever
held In this country, and was elected It's
chairman by unanimous vote. The con-
vention was in session in the city OF Chi
cago ILL.,, on the 10th, 21st, 22d and I'D
days of June, 1891. l met Taylor there and
took him to be a black gentleman. We all
went into the campaign, and helped to eject
Mr.. Cleveland. /! was satisfied. and asked
| for no office. When the matter Of the ap-
| pointment Of a recorder came up l was
with the Cleveland League for William 4.
| Gross, a New York man. Had he been ap-
pOinte there would have been no scandal
| attached to the office.
1.-The President was pleased to appoint
Taylor. l wired my congratulations to q
man that l then believed to be honest and
frHp yS,f1 dad 10
| firmation through the columns of the AL
bany Capitol, when 1 saw a disposition on
the part of the Senate to reject him. as
thought, upon the ground of his being a
black democrat. the Senate committee hav-
ing reported against him. Upon Taylor
learning of my action he wrote me, express
ing his obligation.
Il was pleased when Taylor was con-
firmed. but became Disguised when / re-
ceived convincing evidence that he was
using his official position to 'extort money
from colored men and women in federal
positions. 1 then took a hand with the
Cleveland League, with the result which is
before you.
.'Tayior's talk to your reporter on the
Sth instant and his letter to me two days
later are strangely contradictory. furnish
ing food for thoughtful meditation. Here is
true and verbatim copy of the letter:
L. S. COURT HOUSE.
OFFICE OF THE RECORDER OF
DEEDS, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
WASHINGTON September 10, 1894.
DR.. VIM. III. johnson,
Albany, n. Y.
Dear Sir: 1 have just finished reading your
very interesting paper of September. s.. /
like it very much. Send it to me regularly
and draw on me for the subscription Jan
uary i. If there is any way that l can
serve you let me know. Your convention
seems to have met with great success
%hen ae BE sare to ea to
be. l am much obliged to you for support
ing me for confirmation. Always your
friend c. II. ]. TAYLOR.
THE action of the Cleveland Lea que
seems to have taught Taylor an object les
son. He shows some sense when he de-
clares that he is now ont of politics. and
will in the future devote his entire time to
the duties of his office.
THE Cleveland League has nothing to do
with Taylor as recorder et deeds. 1t was
not in any way responsible for his getting
there, neither is 1t responsible for his official
conduct. But the league does not propose
to allow any man from Kansas, the West
Indies or anywhere else to represent New
York negro democrats. They are capable
of selecting their own representatives and
caring for their own political interests"
Too Much of the Negro Democracy.
"A Democrat" writes to The Star as fol-
lows: rs 1t not about time for the news
papers of this city to give a rest on
Taylor Astwood and the rest of the negro
democrats?
"Astwood let's the cat out of the bag in
his letter printed in tonight's Star. 1t
shows very plainly, according to his state
ment, that they are negro democrats for
revenue only There are hundreds Of white
democrats who would be very glad to take
the places held by negroes in the different
departments, and be satisfied with the sal
airy, and not grumble either. Such men as
Taylor, Astwocd & Co. are a laughing stock
to their race, and the sooner the democrats
get rid of such men the better 1t will be for
the party. They would be republicans II
they could get good offices, and are working
politics for what they can make out Of the
same. President Cleveland will do well to
have nothing to do with such fellows and
1t shows that the Senate did we'll to reject
Astwood's nomnatio for consul to Calais.
We sustained The Star in its opposition to
Taylor's appointment and confirmation and
from the manner in which he has acted
since he took possession Of the Office ii
shows that The Star was right in opposing
him."
Welcome to Mr.. McCOrmick.
A committee of Elks, consisting of r. T.