Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1895-04-13
Mr.. JACKSON SPEAKS.
THE AFRO-AMERICAN LAWYER
EXPLAINS HIS POSITION.
HIS Efforts to Eject a Compromise
Why He Sat on the Platform.

10 IIc EQlIOr the HLANET-
After giving mature consideration to
the controversy, between Rev. w. w.
Browne and John Mitchell Jr., which
has been discussed at three public
meetings, two at the True Reformers
Hall, and one at the Second Baptist
Church. At two of these meetings l
had the honor TO be present, to witness
The one at the Second Baptist Church,
and the other, last Monday night at the
True Reformers Hall. At both of
these meetings 1 had the honor to be
invited to a privileged seat on the
platform with the speakers, while /
was notone of the speakers at either
meeting, and took no part other than
listener and observer. 1 saw at once
from the tendency of the people, who
had gathered in vast number at the
Second Baptist Church, that some
thing should be done at once to settle
these differences, which caused the
colored people to be excited to such an
extent on the account of this contro-
versy between two of their recognized
leaders.
VISITED REV. BROWNE.
I sought Rev. w. w. Browne at his
residence and expressed TO him the
fact of the condition of the public mind
among the cOlored people ;and said to
him that this whole thing should be
stopped at once, as it was calculated
70 do the colored people more harm
than good, and that the reason I called
upon him was that / thought had the
/ right to do so as / had been general
| Counsel for him and his Order.
During which time 1 wrote and OBJ
tanned the Charter for the True Reform
ers' Bank. Being friendly to the insti-
tuition ofwhich he stood at the head
and being mindful of the fact that the
controversy between him and the Hon.
John Mitchell, Jr., member of the
Order, and these attacks made by the
ministers of the gospel brought about
! by the allegations made by Rev. w
w. Browne, concerning the Porter case
and his letter to the Dispatch concern
ing TeamOh and Mitchell, was destroy
ing the confidence of the colored peo-
pie In their leaders, and was in my
| opinion destructive to the Order and
other colOred institutions.
A PROPOSITION SUBMITTED.
therefore entreated Rev. Browne
to submit his grievances or misunder
standing between himself and JohE
Mitchell, Jr., to a board of arbitratOrs
to be appointed; two by himself anC
two by Mr.. Mitchell, then let the foui
meet and they select the fifth one
The said board to have power to senC
for persons and papers and to determ
inc who was right in the premises, anS
render their decision, which should b.
binding upon both parties, that al
controversy should cease.
THE ELDER AGREED.
Mr. Browne finally agreed to submit
the controversy to the board as afore
said. l at once asked him should
prepare the articles of arbitration. H
answered US in the affirmative / the
asked him to give me the names O
the two persons he desired to act upo
, the Board.
He hesitated a moment and theI
said he would wait until Mr.. Joh
Mitchell, Jr., had named his two.
VISITED THE EDITOR.
/ called upon Mr. John Mitchell th
next morning which was Wednesda,
: 3rd day of April, '95, and told him of til
l conversation and agreement which ha
, taken place between Mr.. Browne an
l myself; and asked his concurrence
T and he expressed himself as being sol
I ry that this controversy was ever star
2 ed but disclaimed having anything [
{ do with starting it, and had great
' sacrificed his own feeling, after haviT
been attacked by the Rev. Browne,
meet him on the half way, and shah
D hands over the Porter case to the eT
of ending the troubles and differenc,
o here in referred to. And after makiI
a friends as he thought with the Re
= Browne, that he was surprised to fir
that Brown had broken his part of Il
contract, when he had seen his artic
n in the Dispatch and Times attackiI
/. him.
l. HE TOO, WAS WILLING.
. That he, Mitchell, is now willing al
{ ready to sign the articles of arbitratit
but he hardly knew how to enter in
e an agreement with a man who h.
broken every pledge and promise ma,
before but he would wait until aft
Mr.. Brownies citizens meeting Whj
was called to be held on Monday &
Sth.
/ Then if Mr. Brownies attitude W
! in any manner changed and would gi
= him, MITCHELL confidence in him to b
g lieve, that he would keep his agre
= ment that he, Mitchell swould mar
two suitable persons to compose t
Board of Arbitration as he did not d
sire to make war on any colored ma
whether he was leader or not.
THE CHAsM WIDER.
Now, Mr.. Editor, as the meeting
now over, and the chasm seems to
wider than ever l am at loss to kn,
what advice to offer in the premis
But am still of the opinion I'll
these leaders should settle these mi
ters, as the cOlored people haven't Is
et zone" leader to spare, 'and sshOT
be allowed to rest their cause in t
hands of an all wise God
write this in order to explain
reasons why 1 occupied cOnspicuC
no seats at both of the meetings for pes
ar sake only.
at Respectfully,
% GILES B. JACKSON