Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-05-10

elected as chairman of the executive
committee, and when the time came for
this action Rev. A. j. Warner, q sable
divine of Jefferson county, mounted the
dry goods box which served as a stage or
rostrum and proceeded to present the
name of the doctor. Warner spoke as
though he was at a revival and was dis
tributin@ the saving grace. He lauded
the doctor to the skies and told his hear
ers how the republicans of Alabama
prayed for his welfare morning, noon and
night, and while the elders were not pray
ing for him the children were lisping his
name in notes of praise. The nominating
speech by the reverend delegate from
Jefferson was a soul-stirrer, and during
it's delivery it elected responses from all
portions of the hall of Yes, brother
OATS right Amen, brother 'Youse
show right and many others.
Taking the Moseley convention as
whole it was an orderly assemblage,
though probably the most autocratic ex-
hibition of bossism ever seen in Ala
bama. This feature was developed par
tlcularly in the action of Colonel Sheets,
who was made temporary chairman. A
motion was presented by Ben Walker to
raise one of the customary preliminary
committees, which was followed by a
motion from the duly accredited party
to raise another of the stock committees,
both motions prevailing. Chairman
Sheets had been provided with a type
written list of all the names to be placed
on the various completes, and when
these two motions were adopted he pro-
ceeded to read off the list which con-
tanned a couple of committees which no
motion had yet been offered to raise.
The committees were small-that Is, they
contained but few names, and some of
the colored contingent began to grow
restless. They were getting absolutely
nothing from the convention and they
felt that at least they might have the
distinction of being called to labor on
the committees. and, on motions from
the colored ranks, committees OF five
were increased to take in at least the
kickers who offered the motions The
business of the Moseley convention was
dispatched In short order and then Con-
gresham Aldrich and a colored delegate
named Alb Winds burned the air for a
short time previous to the final adjourn
ment with scorching words of oondemna-
ton of democracy and Mckinley republi-
cans.
Il saw the Moseley convention from
start to finish. l had seen many Moseley
conventions and expected to see a great
deal of fun during its session, but In thil
/ was disappointed. The doctor and his
lieutenants had the thing so well in hand
that everything went off with remarka-
BILE smoothness.
The Mckinley Convention.
About $3.50 p M, feeling that 1 had
gotten very little action for my time,
thought l would look in upon the McKin-
ley faction. / expected to find this body
model republican convention, because l
knew IT had such white men in Its ranks
as William Youngblood, Col NJ D. Wick
ersham, Judge Buckley, Judge Shields,
Col. B. NJ Long, Captain r. L. Kilpat-
rick, p. D. Barker, c. D. Alexander ].
A. Bingham, D. b. Shelby, w. S. Wells,
T. G. Bingham, William, Vaughan and
DR.. Hughes, but when entered the hall
found that In the matter Of order It was
a typical republican convention, the me-
groes being evidently running the ma
chine. AS I entered the report Of the
committee on permanent organization
and order of business was under discus
sion. Among other things this commit
tee reported In favor OF turning down
Temporary Chairman Fitzpatrick and
making Rev. I. Dawson, colored, perma-
nent chairman, and the noted and notable
Bill Stevens had the floor pleading loudly
for the recognition Of the colored brother,
informing the convention 10 thunder
tones that II any republican ticket was
to be elected this year II must be by negro
votes. He told them the hegrp would
have no representation on the ticket aud
he pleaded to let them have the Gold
crumbs of comfort he would enjoy of con-
vention honors. Herschel Cashin, q sad