Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-18
DETERMINED 0N \ FUSION Pertinent Views by a Leading Alabama Negro Republican. A MODEST LITTLE REQUEST For Two Negroes on the State Ticket, Which if Not Complied With Will Destroy
 Fusion in Fact.

Y lHulnS that w. J. stevens Of AnniS- ton, the well-known colored leader and originator of the Afro-Alabam Cotton Mill company, was not averse to an inter- view, a State Herald reporter got the views of the visitor on several subjects of current interest.
 Speaking of the proposed factory, he said there was scarcely doubt that the mill would be built and operated as in- tended. Ground has been secured and plated, and work on the building will shortly begin. The architectural and en- gineering work is being done by c. R. Makepeace & Co. of Providence, R. l., and as soon as plans and specifications could be had and bids secured the works would be started.
 The reporter made inquiry as to Ste vens being in New Orleans recently with other prominent negroes, such as Cuney of Texas, Fortune of New York, Gibbs of Arkansas, Stewart of Kentucky and others.
 The object of that meeting" said Stephens. was to investigate and look into the charges brought against the negro by Senator Sherman in his recent memoir of his mercenary and purchasa- ble character. Facts were established that Senator Sherman nor any other pres idential aspirant was ever disappointed in any negro when dealt with directly rom InelF respective D. These presidential aspirants have inva- riably sought out and singled out and chosen some white man to take care of their political interests in the states where the negro largely predominates in our party. These white managers, or bosses generally made terms for them selves to carry out their contracts or deals. They use their federal offices and money to send to the national convention their suppliant tools from among my people. Those of us who had hope, am- bition and character to maintain were forced to fight our way to the front against such odds. Finding ourselves at headquarters robed with the power of a delegate to the national convention. we proceeded to make terms for ourselves, and to execute and carry them out The pop of the bosses whip no longer carried terror or sting. The boss disappointed and chagrined at his loss of power, es- capes from the frown of his higher boss by saying that the d-n negro sold out, when he himself had been bought for the purpose of manipulating the negro"
 How Is politics in our state as far as you and your people are concerned?'
 "Presidentially speaking, all of the can didates have warm and, earnest advo- lead by long odds. Mckinley will carry the First, Second and Third districts The other six districts are debatable Mckinley has the rank and file. but Reed has the most daring and impudent man agers. All the delegates that Reed will secure will be attributable to his man agers, and not to the sentiment of the rank and file of the voters"
 What are you and your people going to do about a state ticket?"
 "I am in favor of and shall advocate a fusion ticket. mean that in the truest and purest sense; a fusion ticket that means every shade and variety of politics and every shade and variety of colOrs. Therefore favor Nathan H. Alexander of Montgomery for secretary of state, and Charles Hendley of Huntsville for superintendent of education. These gen. tlemen are Alabamians and to the manor born. of characters unblemished and ex- cellent educations. possessing the ability in every way to discharge the duties of the offices mentioned for them. I shall advocate their being placed on the ticket or some one else of my race equally fit. My race can furnish about 80 per cept of the fusion votes. while we should only ask for about two-sixths of the ticket. This is in keeping with our past history that we were entitled to, but being satis- fled with a small proportion"
 Stephens had turned to go, but came back to add:
 "I shall insist that the apportionment for delegates to the convention shall be proportioned according to the vote boiled for our candidate for congress- I shall also insist that all colored republicans who did not register in my district in the last primary shall not be entitled to representation in our next primary or convention and do not believe that they are SO entitled in any district In the state
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