Evening star., 1895-02-12
THEY WILL PARADE.
Emancipation Day VIII BE Celebrated
In the Usual Way.

In the Usual Way.
In response to a call for a convention to
make arrangements for an Emancipation
day celebration, representatives from the
old legislative districts met In Israel Bap-
tist Church, on 18th street northeast De-
tween F and G streets, last night. James
W. Poe, who issued the call, presided over
the meeting. committee on credentials
was appointed, and permanent organl-
Zation formed. Then James w. Poe was
elected president and George w. Stewart
secretary. There had been no friction up
to this time, but when the question OF
electing- a chief marShaf was discussed
there noise and trouble, Whicn re-
suited in the appointment OF sergeant
alarms and an assistant This was oc-
caSioned by the persistent efforts or H. II.
Lewis to take possession of the convention.
Alexander Motion had M been en- nominated MN tis as
thought that South Washington was en-
titled to the honor.
The sergeant-at-arms had more than he
could do to quiet Lewis or eject him, but
finally quiet was restored, -and Mr.. Notion,
who had been nominated, arose and said
few words in his own behalf. He an,
nounced himself as a Christian, and said
that if elected he would be found as sober
in the morning as at night.
But the South Washington man again got
the floor, and claimed that there was too
much bulldoZing.
Mr.. Willis managed to nominate Perry
Carson. but withdrew his name when as
sured that he would not accept the posi-
ton. Alexander Motion was elected.
The next thing to be determined was the
manner in which the day should be cele-
brated. 1t was evident that a large ma
jority wanted parade, although w. c.
Payne representing the Equal Rights
Council. after making few remarks, OF
fered the following:
Whereas the method of street parades
on the 10th Of April. in commemoration of
the abolition of slavery in the District OF
Columbia, has become unpopular and dis
tasteful to the majority of the colored cit
liens of the said District; and whereas
such a demonstration is useless waste
of money usually collected for such pur-
pose; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 10th of April shall
be held sacred to all liberty-loving negroes
holding citizenship in the District, and that
the day shall be celebrated by special
program, observed in some church in each
section of the city, and all moneys col
lected before and on that date shall be ap-
piled toward attaching an industrial de-
partment of the Liberian College, on the
west coast of Africa"
Another delegate in a resolution sug-
gested that the money collected go to assist
the poor instead of being spent on parade.
w. c. Edmonston favored a parade above
all things. He said that money could be
collected for a parade when 1t could not
be collected for other purposes.
People can get money for whisky" he
said, when they can't get money for
bread. and people will give for parade
when they won't give cent for col
lege."
Others thought there had better be money
expended at home rather than being sent
to Africa, and one delegate objected to the
plan because the mover of the resolution
had spoken of similar good work done in
behalf of Ireland.
The convention decided to have a parade,
and the committees will be appointed here
after.
In addition to the parade it Is the in
tention of President Poe to make move
which will result in relief being given to
many poor families.