The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-06-09
HARD ON 1HE NEGRO
St. Louis Hotel Keepers Don't
Want Colored Guests.
AND THEY WON'T HAVE EN-
They Have Plainly Told the
National Committee So.
DECLARE MONEY is NO OBJECT
Talk OF Renting a Hall or Erecting a
Large Tent and Putting in Cots and
Provisions and Cooking
Utensils.
Utensils.


s,St. Louis, June S.-What shall be
done with the colored delegates and
alternates to the National Republican
convention is question which is puz-
zllng the members of the National
committee who have arrived here and
the Businessmen's League, which Sc
cured the convention to st. Louis as
well. Every hotel and boarding house
came out tlat-footed to-day and declar-
ed that it would entertain no negro
as guest or customer Money is no
object Threats of prosecution have
had no effect, and from the present
outlook it would seem that unless tents
are secured the colored men will have
TO GO hungry and unhoused.
Il am thoroughly disgusted and dis
couraged," said National committee
man j. G. Long, of Florida, tonight.
in speaking of the matter. [ have
been looking all day long for a hotel,
boarding house or cafe that would ad-
NIT the negro, but it has been a fruit
less search. / even went so far as to
try to charter a steamboat, but when
the owners learned for what purpose
it was wanted, they found an excuse
for refusing me the use of the vessel.
1t is the first time in the history of
the Republican party, where such an
embarrassing predicament has arisen"
When asked what the National COM
mittee would do in the matter Mr..
Long replied: 81 have consulted with
the members who are here and we
have decided to offer a resolution as
soon as the committee meets, condemn
ing the hotel and inn-keepers and for
the setting aside of a fund for rent
ing hall in which cots shall be placed
for the accommodation of the negroes,
who may come to the convention. We
will also request the employment of
cooks, ETC., to supply them with food.
This trouble has been brewing for
nearly week. A number of days ago,
it was learned by the Businessmen's
League that some of the leading ho-
tells had been cancelling agreements
with certain State delegations when
the landlord learned that negro dele
gates were numbered among them. Tt
became so apparent that the negroes
were being Disseminated against that
the league issued the following mani
festo:
''The Businessmen's League. when
in Washington securing the National
Republican convention for St Louis.
promised that colored delegates and
members of the National Republican
executive committee should receive
the same recognition from the hotels
that any other delegate to the conyen-
tion would receive. With this it was
implied that the citizens representing
hn nff - e., l..
convention would ask and endeavor 70
induce public places, hotels. board
ing houses and bathrooms. at least for
convention week, to accord to the
reputable and respectable colored
men who will come here represent
ing their section and their people in
the Republican party such treatment
as any reputable and respectable per-
son would receive. It is not believed
that great many would want to ac-
cept the privilege, but it will be very
if one of them, with their
and friends or alone, should
present himself in any place and be re-
fused admittance or service.
ut is hoped, expected and desired
by the gentlemen representing the
citizens who secured the convention |
that all will endeavor to meet the situ- |
alton as justice and propriety require |
Any parties in interest failing to re- |
ceive accommodations will please re- |
port to the general hotel committee.
&c. C.. RAINWATER,
Chairman Bureau Information"
When the hotel men read this they |
we're wrathful. They said it was an in
'itation to the colored delegates to
them for damages. They |
vent to the league committee on hotel |
lccommodations and made a vigorous
protest. Concerted action then follow
I'd, with the result that the negroes
,annot find lodging places or even
place to eat. Major c. c.
a member of the Business
mems League and of the local enter
ainment committee, is quite as much
lispleased with the turn affairs have
aiken as any member of the National
committee. He, with several other
members of the local committee have
'een hunting for a place to entertain
he negro delegates, but without sue
eSS,.
Perry Heath and ex-Congressman
thompson, of Ohio, who are here in
he interstst of Mckinley, are quite
s much disturbed as the National
ommitteemen. They have been in
communication with Marcus
!. Hanna all day, but as yet no solu-
ion of the problem has been reached.
There are 158 contested seats from
fteen States and one territory, and
t these the entire delegation is con-
ested from five States and the terri
Dry of Arizona. The committee, as a
yhole, will commence the hearing of
ne contests Wednesday forenoon, and
he indications are that it will hardly
e able to finish them before the end
the week.
Many of the conventions which send ]