The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-09
DRAWING COLOR LINE.
Negro Delegates to st. Louis Find
Doors Closed TO Them.
Bitter Contests 10 Be waged Over Seating
Coniesting Delegations.

70 the national convention, Is a question
which is puzzling the members OF the
national COMMITTEES, who have arrived
here, az well as the Business Mems
league, which secured the convention TO
ST. Louis. Every hotel and boarding
house came out fat-footed yesterday.
and declared that II would entertain no
negro as a 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.
"I am thoroughly disgusted and dis
eouraged," said National Committee
man Long of Florida last night. in
speaking OF the matter. i have been
looking all day long for O hotel, board
ing house or cafe that would admit the
negroes, but IL has been a. fruitless
search. i even went so far as TO try to
charter a steamboat. but when the own
ers learned for what purpose 1t was
wanted they found an excuse for re-
fusing me the use of the vessel. 1t is
the first time in the history OF the Re-
rubllcan party where such an embar-
RAISING predicament has arisen"
When asked what the national conf
mittee would do In the matter be re-
piled: Il have consulted with the MEM
bers who are here. and we have decided
TO offer n resolution as soon as the com-
mittee meets condemning the hotel and
inn keepers, and for the setting aside OF
fund for renting a hall in which cots
shall be placed for the accommodation
of the negroes who Day come to the con-
yention. We will Slso require the en-
ployment of cooks. etc.. to supply them
with food"
This trouble has been brewing for
nearly a week. A number of days ago
Il was learned by the Business Mems
league that some of the leading hotels
had been cancelling agreements with
certain state delegates when the land
lords learned that negroes were NUM-
tered among them. 1t became SO ap
parent that the negroes were being dis
criminated against that the league is
sued the following manifesto:
"The Business Mems league. when In
Washington for the purpose ef securing
the Republican convention for st.
Louis. promised that colored delegates.
and members Of the national Republi-
can executive committee, should receive
the same recognition from the hotels
that any other delegate to the conven-
ton would. With this II was implied
that the citizens representing the city
of st. Louis for securing the convention,
would ask and endeavor to induce pub
lie places, hotels. boarding houses and
bathrooms, at least for convention week.
to accord to the reputable and respect
able colored men who will come here
representing their sections and their peo-
Ile, In the Republican party, such treat
ment as any reputable and respectable
person would receive. 1t Is not believed
that a great many would want to ac-
cept the privileges, but II will be very
humiliating IL one of them, with their
colleagues and friends, or alone, should
present himself in any public place, and
be refused admittance or service. 1t Is
hoped, expected and desired by the
gentlemen representing the citizens,
who secured the convention, that all will
endeayor to meet the situation as justice
and propriety require. Any parties fall
ing to receive accommodations will
please report to the general hotel COM
mittee, @. c. Rainwater. chairman. or
the bureau Of information"
When the hotel men read this they
were wrathfuL They said 1t was an in
vitation to the colored delegates to
prosecute them for damages. They went
to the league committee on hotel accom-
modations, and made a vigorous pro-
test. Concerted action then followed.
with the result that the negroes cannot
find lodging places. or even reputable
place to eat. Major G. c. Rainwater, q
member of the Business Mems league.
and of the local entertainment commit
tee, is quite as much displeased with the
turn affairs have taken, as any member
of the national committee. He, with
several other members OF the local COM
mittee, have been hunting for a place to
entertain the negro delegates, but with
out success.
Perry Heath and ex-Congressman
Thompson OF Ohio, who are here in the
interests of Mckinley, are quite as much
disturbed as the national committee
men. They have been In telegraphic
communication with Marcus A. Hanna
all day, but, as yet no solution Of the
problem has been reached.
In no former Republican national con-
vention has the committee had so heavy
duty TO perform in making up the roll
for the temporary organization as the
present committee has before 1t. There
are l5S contested seats from 10 states
and one territory, and of these the,en-
tire delegation Is contested from five
states, and the territory of Arizona.
The committee, as whole, will COM
mence the hearing of the contests
Wednesday forenoon, and the ind.ca-
tons are IL will hardly be able to finish
them before the end of the week.
Many OF the conventions that resulted
IN contested delegations were marked
by violence. In several OF them police
had to arrest the participants for as
saultlng and beating the chairman, and
the feuds that grew out OF local rivalries
have been transferred to the national
arena to be stubbornly fought out by
the principals. who have come deter-
mined, II possible, to return home as the
recognized leaders of their respective
bailiwicks. The bitterest of these con-
tests come from the south. All OF the
contcnding parties have come here pre-
pared with printed briefs and affidaNits
as TO their regularity and right to recog-