The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-02-25

Alderman.
Certainly EO one can Gainsay the fact
that the colorcd brother and likewise
the Culored sistcrs are being well taken
care of politically III Massachusetts this
year.
In the West End ward, which il the
colorcd district Of Boston, it has long
been the practice Of both parties to
nominate as one of the two candidates
for the Legislature q colored man. Last
year the ward was represented in the
lower house by Speaker George V. l..
Meyer, a patrician of patricians. while
his colleague was Robert T. Teamoh, a
full blooded negro, who is by profession
q reporter on a local newspaper.
In the same ward lives Isaac B. AL
len, whose unexpected election to the
governors council over Treasurer John
II. Sullivan of the Democratic state
committee caused such a commotion
when the votes were counted three
weeks ago. An attempt was made to
count Allen out, as the Republicans liked
his presence in the council chamber
quite as little as did the Democrats, but
it did not succeed. He will in all prob
ability take his seat, and, in accordance
with the traditional custom, when Mrs.
Wolcott, the wife of Governor Wolcott,
e%ntertains the grave and reverend coun-
cilors and their wives at a formal din
ner in her Commonwealth avenue home,
Mr.. and Mrs. Allen will be invited to
attend.
The other night the race received still
further honors. The municipal conven.
ton of the silver wing of the Boston
Democrats headed their ticket for school
committee with the name of Mrs. 10.
sephine st. Pierre Ruffin, who is we'll
known to most Bostonians. Then they
clinched it by naming Clifford H.
Plummer, a prominent local colored
politician, for alderman. There is o
chance that Mrs. Rufin may be elected,
as party designations count for little in
school committee elections. Mr.. Plum.
mer cannot be numbered with the elect.
Xhts. Nuill Is q me uuu STATELY liUy,
at whom the casual observer would look
several times before discerning any
traces Of negro blood. She is the widow
of Judge George l.. Ruffin, a colored
lawyer, whose nomination as justice of
the Charleston municipal cour by Cen
eral Benjamin +. Butler, when he was
governor, created quite a sensation at
the time. Time justified General But
ler's course. for Judge Ruffin was a
great success. He died four or five years
ago.
She is a woman of culture and educa-
ton, a good speaker and possesses a
large knowledge of municipal affairs.
Her son, G. Stanley Ruffin, has been
q member of the Boston common
Gil. Her daughter, Miss Florida Y. Ruff.
fin, is a fine teacher. Another son, Her
bert st. Pierre Ruffin, was a young
lawyer Of exceptional talent, whose ca
reer was cut short by death two years
ago.
Mr.. Clifford H. Plummer, nominated
by the silver Democrats for alderman,
Is "A bright young lawyer, with an Office
in that paradise of lawyers, Pemberton
square, and a %penchant for politics. He
has been chosen a delegate to district
and city conventions and is a man of
considerable influence and following in
the cOlOred community. He is one of a
group Of bright young negro lawyers
who cut a considerable figure in the po-
lice courts Of the city Of Boston.
In politics he has always acted with
the Democrats and a year ago came
out strongly in favor of free silver. He
has made a study of the financial ques.
ton and is a fluent debater. He has a
headfu} of figures and can state the sill
yer argument with a force and lucidity
that amount to a demonstration. He is
OF AN independent character and refused
to submit to the dictation of the Ma
gulre-Corcoran machine. He enjoys the
acquaintance and confidence of Mr..
George Fred Williams, late Democratic
candidate for governor. Mr.. Plummer
is a bachelor and lives in pleasant
quarters OH Beacon hill.
The Republicans, not to be outdone
by the Democrats, have nominated DR..
Samuel r. Colrtenay, colored, for the
school board, and be viii probably be
among those chosen at the city election.
DIR. Courtenay is 80 years old and prob
ABLY the most influential member of his
race in Boston.
DIR. COurtepay is we'll known through
cut the south from his connection with
the Tuskegee institute in Alabama and
other educational institutions in south
ern states for the benefit of the negro.
He is exceedingly popular there, too, as
he is in Boston. DR.. Courtepay was ono
CT the first six boys taken by Booker Z.
Washington, then unknown, to Tuske-
gee. Later he became one of Principal
Washington most trusted assistants.
He graduated from the Harvard Med
ical school and is a practitioner Of skill.
New York Journal.
William and the Cook.