The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-06-09
COLORED MEN
ARE BARRED
DisgraeefuI Action Of the Hotel Keep
ers Of the Republican National
Convention City.
AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION
Stfenuons Efforts on the Fart Of COmmit-
teenen Failed to Engage Even
Steamboat 10 Shelter the
fOor Negro.

st. Louis. June s--What shall be done
with the eolored delegates and alternates
10 the national Republican conventiOn7
This Is the question which Is puzzlng the
members Of the national committee. who
have arrived. and the Business Mems
League, which secured the convention,
as well. Every hotel and boarding house
and cafe came out fatfooted today and
declared II would rot entertain negroes as
guests or customers. Money is no object
Threats OF prosecution have had no ef-
feet. and from the present outlook Il
would seem that unless tents are secured
the black men VIII have 10 go hungry
and unhoused.
II am thoroughly dlsgusted and dis
eouraged.' said National Committeeman
Judge Long, Of Florida. tonight, in speak
ing OF the matter Il have been looking
all day long for a hotel. board-house or
cafe that would admit negroes. but
have been unable 10 find them. / even
went 50 far as to try TO charter a steam
boat. but. when the owners learned for
what purpose I wanted II. they found
an excuse for refusing me the rent of IT.
II Is the only time in the history OF the
the Republican party where such an en-
barrassIng predicament has arisen"
tee would do, Long replied:
Il have consulted those who are here
and have decided 70 oner a resolution as
soon as the committee meets condemning
the hotel and inn-keepers and for the lay
ing aside OF a fund for renting a hall
In which cots shall be placed for the
negroes who come TO the convention. We
will also request the employment OF a
corps OF cooks TO supply them with food. "
This trouble has been brewing for near
ly week. A number Of days ago II was
learned by the Business Mems League
that some OF the leading hotels had been
cancelling agreements with state delega-
lions when the landlords learned that ne
gro delegates were among them. II be-
came so apparent that negroes were be-
ing discrilnlnated against that the League
issued the following manifesto:
The Business Mems League when in
/ Washington securing the convention for
/ ST. Louis, promised that the colored dele
/ gates and members OF the national Re-
/ publican executive committee should re-
/ ceive the same recognition from the ho-
tells that the other delegates would re-
! celve. With this IL was implied that the
| citizens representing the city of St Louis
would ask and endeavor to secure public
l places. nOtels. pOdfullS HouccS anu uatA
/ rooms. at least for the convention week,
/ to accord reputable and respectable col
ored men who would come here repre-
| sentlng their section and their people in
/ the Republican party such treatment as
/ any reputable and respectable person
would receive. 1t is not believed great
many would want TO accept the privilege
but It will be very humiliating II one OF
4 them with his colleagues or friends oI
alone should present himself in any pub
lie place and be refused admittance. II
is hoped. expected and desired by th'
gentlemen representing the citizens whS
secured the convention that all woulC
endeavor to meet the situation as justic'
and propriety requires"
When the hotel men read this they wer'
exceedingly wrathful. They said it wa
an invitation TO the colored delegates 4
prosecute them for damages. They wen
to the leage committee on hotel accom-
modations and protested. Concerted ac
ton followed. with the result that negroe
cannot find lodging places, nor even
reputable place to eat.