The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-11-04
And They viii Not Play Un-
less They Get 1t.
so THEY SAID LAST NIGHT
LINCOLN REPUBLICAN LEAGUE
ORGANIZED.
A REAL FIGHT IN THE CONVENTION
John Williamson and Fletcher Lockhart Came
70 Blows and the Band Played "A Hot
Time in the Old Town" While
Things Quoted Down.
Things Quoted Down.

Time in the Old Town" While
Things Quoted Down.
Resolved, That we are not getting
enough pie.
Resolved further, That if we don'i
get more pie, Wen kick the table over
II these resolutions had been adopted
by the negro convention in the court
house last night, they would accurately
have outlined the spirit that actuated
the meeting.
II the following amendment had been
added at 10:45 o'clock it would have
given the history of the meeting:
"And John Williamson and Fletcher
Lockhart proceeded to knock the ia bic
over and try to knock each other down."
1t was a four-act comedy, all the acts.
except the last, full of rip-roaring fun.
1t was in the third act that Williamson
and Lockhart came to blows. They
were in the bar and the crowded court
room got full view of the sparring match,
and they hugely enjoyed it, too.
The convention was opened by DR..
"A. NJ Moore, of Durham, calling Rev.
G. III. King, of Raleigh, to the chair.
Rev. King reciprocated by asking DIR.
Moore to act as secretary.
King stated the object of the meeting
and Moore read the call for the conven-
ton.
On motion of Rev. Leak the following
committee on credentials was then APP
pointed: Nelson O'kelly, r. B. Fitzger-
aid and d. +. Lane
This committee retired to make out its
report and Fletcher Lockhart moved
that all newspaper editors be especially
invited. by vote of the convention, to
come forward and take seat in the
bar
YOUNG NOT WELCOME.
OF course Rev. Leak opposed the mo-
ton, as this would be giving Jim Young
q special invitation to take a prominent
seat in the convention. He raised the
point that no vote could now be taken,
~ nobody yet knew who was entitled to
vote, no report having been made by
the committee on credentials.
Chairman King solved the problem by
declaring that all reporters were vel.
come to the meeting. Scotland Harris,
OF Halifax, was called for. He spoke
for half an hour. He declared he was
In sympathy with the meeting but he
wanted it understood he was still q
Eve simply want the same political.
educational and industrial opportun:-
DIES as are granted to others. We must
educate our people and then we will
have a people that will stand up and de-
mand their rights, and then properly
use them after they are obtained.
"All we ask is that our Republican
friends will deal fairly with us-all that
we ask is that the powers that be give
I'd proper recognition in division OF
the patronage that comes from a vic
tory won by US.
"The interests of the poor white man
and the negro are the same and the,
must come to recognize it. There is o
great fight in this world between labor
and capital and both white and black
must recognize it and take steps accord
tngly."
The report of the committee on Gre
dentials was read by Nelson O'Keley
The report showed nearly one hundred
duly accredited delegates to the conven
den present.
A CRAWFISH STAMPEDE.
At the conclusion Of the report G. FL
Williamson, Henry Hagan, Louis Ma
on, Ed. Smith and III. r. Smith said
my were not delegates and they wanted
Aeir names stricken from the list. 9th
trs were clamoring for recognition and
! locked as il the convention were abou,
- break up in crawfish stampede.
Rev. Leak came to the rescue. 81
hear my name called there as a dele
GATE" he said; I'm in full accord will
every word of the resolutions, and hav,
the bravery to stand to them. I'm il
accord with the spirit Of this CONVEX
nd -
applanse).
"Where is the man that wants hi
Sace to continue to be slaves? Let hin
stand mp. Where is the man that i
ashamed to let his name appear here a
catering a protest against his race be
ing made hewers Of wood and drawer
Of water? Let him stand up. cloud ap
nlause and yells of Stand up, stand up!
'Let every man who 10 on that rol
srawfsh il he will, my name will sta,
there. I'm tired of unprincipled mel
nding into office on my back. I'm
National Republican, but in State poll
6cs I'm independent. (Applause).
want here and now, every man who 1
willing to turn his back on his race t
take his name OF this roll. (Cries o
Right, rightly. Az for me, hereafte
rm for race first and party Afterwards
f'GoOd," said several voices).
We've got No Republican party
North Carolina One man win accus
gos Of being . Democrat and then Gem,
HEht along and vote the solid Democrat
e ticket. The trouble with the nerrs /
Nat he can be bought too easily. fAp
Yiause). There are men night here VII,
have been trying to throw cold water 0,
this meeting ever since the call for thi
eonventiOn came ont But / want tn m,
nav that all Of You whs want to plal
coward can do 80 and wen still Raw,
enough left to bury the corpse. GAP
plause). i move the report of the con
aittee be adopted" Nong applause).
The report was adopted almost u1ani
neusly.
MORE PIE THE ISSUE.
The remarks Of Rev. Leak were en-
L.