The Kansas blackman. [volume] (Topeka, Kan.) 1894-1???, 1894-05-11
BROWN AND BRUCE.

1He question or the hOur with
the Negroes of Kansas is CIVIL
there be Negro on the republican
state ticket, and if so, who"! This
is heard in nearly every meeting
Of colored politicians in the state,
and as yet no one has essayed to
answer, nor is it the purpose of
this article to do so. That the
colored voters of Kansas, as else
where, are almost unit in repub-
licanism, no one doubts. They
are republicans because they re
cognize the superior methods of
that party to govern a common
wealth. No other party has been
so fairly disposed toward the Negro
as that Of the republicans and
hence he turns to them for recog-
milton. Two Negroes have been
mentioned prominently in con
nection with the nomination for
auditor of state, Col. John NJ.
Brown, of Shawnee county, and
b. K. Bruce, of Leavenworth.
But, as seems always the case,
these two men are viciously antag-
anistic toward each other. especial
ly Bruce toward Brown. AS is
well known, Mr.. Bruce is editor
of the Leavenworth Herald and
the sole mission Of that journal
seems to be to pour out the wrath
of its editor upon the head of
Brown. Its editorial columns
from week to week are full of
assaults on the ex-county clerk of
Shawnee, while Brown as yet has
given silence that is in exasperat-
ing as it is emphatic.
A short time ago J. Hume
Childers, Bruce's Topeka bench
man, held a caucus with Col. G.
Watkins, Browns chief custodian,
and arrangements were made to
have the two principles in this
contest meet in Kansas City, Kas.,
on April 80, and "conciliate"
matters. This arrangement, Of
course was in the interest of har-
mony @ and whatever the result,
the defeated member was to with
draw gracefully from the field and
give his support to the other. On
Saturday, the 28th Of April, the
Herald contained its usual quota
of Brown matter, and the meeting
Of the antipodes was postponed in
definitely. The contestants at
present occupy very dissimilar
positions. Bruce is fighting the
air, seeming to fall short in his
reach, while Brown goes on plant
ing potatoes on his farm and if he
has been hit he has failed to hol-
low.
There seems to be one thing,
however, of which there is no
doubt. Bruce will fight Brown to
a finish. Another thing which
seems equally certain is that the
friends of Brown will, under no
circumstances, support Bruce.
The result is very clear. Neither
will be nominated and the Negro
will fail to secure the recognition
which both of these gentlemen
claim is due.
That some one is wrong, no one
doubts. That Bruce is making an
lnmanly fight on Brown is equally
That it all initiates
against the great mass of Negroes
IF Kansas is as plain as day. |
Unless these men can harmonic
heir differences (Which at this
.ime seems highly improbable it |
seems that in the interest of true
harmony, republican success and
ace recognition some Negro who
S qualified and who is in no way
with these antagonistic
elements should be selected and |
ct the Negro 60 before the con-
Tention asking for representation
With the full strength of his color
ID brother at hisback. Republican
success demands that there be har-
nony. The interests of the race
demands harmony. The success
# one leader is not attained by the
rushing out by unfair means
brother. The selfish politician is
curse to his party; the selfish
Negro is a curse to his race; the
eltish man is curse to humanity.
let there be no more strife.