Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-06-09
ST.rLOUIS HOTELS
Maks Trouble for the National
Republican Convention.
NO BED OR BOARD FOR BLACK MEN


Regardless Of the Promises OF the Commit
tee Of Mound City Gentlemen Who So
cured the Convention for the city
Regular Boycott ON the Negro Delegates
Can't Even Hire . Steamboat for Them
-0ossip About Contests.
ST. LOUIS, June 9.-What shall be done
with the colored delegates and alternate
delegates to the national Republican con-
ventionf This il q question which is puz-
cling the members of the national COM
mittee who have arrived in the city and
the Business Mems League which secured
the convention to St. Louis, as well.
Every hotel and boarding house and cafe
came out fiat-footed yesterday and de-
ciared 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
black men will have to go hungry and un-
housed. Il am thoroughly disguised and
discouraged" said National Committee
man J. G. Long, Of Florida. in speaking
Of the matter.
Will Resolve and-Hire . Hall.
II have been looking all day long for q
botel, boarding house or cafe that would
admit the negroes, but it has been fruit
less search. even went SO far as to try
to charter steamboat, but when the own
ers learned for what purpose wanted it
they found an excuse for refusing me the
use Of the vessel. 1t is the only time in
the history of the Republican party where
such an embarrassing predicament has
arisen" When asked what the national
committee would do in the matter Long
replied: Il have consulted with the men,
bers who are here and we have decided to
offer resolution as soon as the committee
meets cOndemning the hotel and innkeep-
ers and for the setting aside of a fund for
renting a 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 corps Of
cooks to supply them with food"
Eeen Brewing for 100 Years.
This trouble has been brewing for nearly
week. A number of days ago it was
learned by the Business Mems League
that some Of the leading hotels had been
cancelling agreements with certain state
delegations when the landlords learned
that negro delegates were numbered
among them. 1t became SO apparent that
the negroes were being Disseminated
against that the League issued the follow
ing manifesto: 1.-THE Business Mems
League, when in Washington securing tho
national Republican convention for St.
Louis, promised that colored delegates and
members of the national Republican ex-
ch
recognition from the hotels that any other
Of the delegares to the convention would
receive.
Implied? Well, Does Look That Way.
with this it was implied that the citi-
zens representing the City of St. Louis for
securing the convention would ask and
endeavOr to induce public places, hotels
boarding houses and bath rooms-at least
for convention week-to accord to the
reputable and respectable colored men
who will come here representing their
section and their people in the Republican
party such treatment as any reputable and
respectable person would receive. It is
not believed that great many would
want to accept the privileges, but it will
be very humiliating if one of them, with
their colleagues and friends, or alone,
should present himself at any public place
and be refused admittance or service.
Vain Hope and Expectation, Gentlemen.
"It is hoped. expected and desired by the
gentlemen representing the citizens who
secured the convention that all will en-
deavor to meet the situation as justice and
propriety requires. Any parties in interest
failing to receive accommodations will
please report to the general hotel commit
tee. G. c. RAINwATER,
chairman bureau of information.
(Signed.
as. NJ. KENNARD,
sa;s"" president Business Mems League.
JAMES Cox,
Secretary.
CLARK H. SAMPSON,
Chairman of Arrangements.
FRANK CAYENNE,
SECRETARY"