Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-20
DEMOCRATIC DISSENSIONS
The Afro-American Bureau of Organization
to Be Abolished.
What Recorder Taylor Says IL the
Reason for Such Action
Mr.. AstwOOd Talks.

The following dispatch was sent out today
by the Associated Press:
Trouble within the negro ranks has been
caused by the action OF the Afro-American
bureau of organization Of the democratic
congressional committee in sending alleged
political assessment letters to negro Office
holders. The Negro National Democratic
League has taken a decisive stand against
the bureau. and President H. c. c. Astwood
and Rev. P. H. White. the secretary of the
league. tomorrow probably will submit a
recommendation for the adjustment of the
bureau to Senator Faulkner and Lawrence
Gardner of the congressional committee.
This action is the result Of n discussion held
at the conference Of the league at Indian
apolis last week.
Nothing known at the bureau.
A representative of The Star called this
afternoon at the headquarters Of the Afro
American bureau. &C., at room in the
CorcOran building. Mr.. Robert g. Still.
who has recently achieved fame by his con-
nection with the bureau from sending out
letters In Its behalf to colored employees OF
the departments and requesting contribu-
lions in aid of the purpose to perpetuate the
present administration. was not around.
and the young feminine attendant IN
charge said he would not be in until to-
morrow. Neither the clerk nor any one else
at the headquarters had heard anything OF
the impending calamity. and none appeared
doing.
Recorder Taylor Talks.
c. H. j. Taylor. recorder Of deeds, who at
tended the Indianapolis convention, and
who is president of the negro league. was
seen In relation to the matter at his office
IL. the city hail. Mr.. Taylor said the dis
patch was somewhat erroneous In some
portions.
1.-The Negro Democratic League" he said.
authorized. or. in fact, instructed the ex-
ecutive committee to request the democratic
congressional committee to abolish the bu-
reau of which Robert G. Still Is chairman.
Mr.. H. =. c. Astwood Is chairman of that
committee, but Mr. White Is not secretary
Of the league. or any portion OF 1t. The
motion to request the abolition Of the bu-
reau was adopted by the league by an al
most unanimous vote. the only two votes
against 1t being cast by Mr.. Still himself
and his colleague. Mr.. J. w. H. Howard,
both of Pennsylvania
What led the league to take such &C
tionr' inquired the reporter.
well. not so much because Of what the
bureau had done. but because Of what 1t
had not DONE" said Mr.. Taylor. 1.-The
league has always been opposed to the bu-
reau. We believed that 1t would do more
Of the league. myself and the secretary at
first agreed to act with 1t, but when we
heard that II was indulging in some prac-
tees that we did not indorse, we withdrew.
The Negro League comprises all the best
colored democrats of the country In its
ranks. and 1t could not see the necessity of
weakening the organization by having other
organizations working at what appeared to
be cross-purpose."
What MI. AstsseOd Says.
Mr.. H. c. c. Astwood was also seen He
said the negro league did not like the
method pursued nv the h1reau in solicitsp O.
assessments for political purposes from per
sons outside Of the league. I'VE thought
the executive committee was sufficient to
transact all the business between the ma
tional and congressional committees and
the negro voters, and this led to our action.
i will see Senator Faulkner tomorrow, and
I hope the abolition of the bureau viii fol-
low"