The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1897-02-04
DURHAM, N. c., FEB. 4, 1897.
THE NEGRO IN MASSACHUSETTS

N. VI, ED. 4, lojl.l
THE NEGRO IN MASSACHUSETTS,
Recently a negro has been
elected to a prominent Office in
Massachusetts,, for the first time
in the history Of the state, and now
they seem to have an elephant on
their hands. In speaking of how
they have treated the unfortunate
colored man, the Baltimore Sun
says:
Although the 'colored man and
brother is very dear to the Massa-
chusetts heart, the good people Of
that state are willing to exhibit the
evidences of their esteem and af-
lection only in other states. As
stated a few days ago, one Of the
members of the governors council
of Massachusetts, is Isaac B. Allen,
of almost pure African decent. Al
though he is dearly loved in Mas
sachusetts by reason of his race,
there is pronounced antipathy to
him in his capacity as governors
councillor, and brides, threats
and entreaties have been alter
nately employed to effect his res
ignation. But Allen stands firm
and intends to remain in the gov
ernor's council until his term ex-
pires, in order that he may illus
trate the virtues of his race and the
rare excellence Of those aristo-
cratic residents of Beacon Hill
who hold him in such tender affec-
ton. Still, it is not probable that
he will not accompany the COVER
nor and the councillors on their
junketing expeditions, especially
when these expeditions lead toward
the South.
A bill has been offered in the
Massachusetts legislature which
seems to bear out this assertion.
1t provides for an appropriation of
$40, 900 to pay the expenses Of the
governor, six of his staff, four OF
his council and a certain number
from the house and the senate at
the Tennessee exposition. The
governors council is composed Of
eight members besides himself,
and never before, when provisions
was made for junketing trip, has
an appropriation been made with
such a stipulation.
nuvY LINNEY WAS NOMINATED
In recent article the Washing.
ton Post referred to an eloquent
appeal of Congressman Linney, o.
this state, in behalf of pension
for Jerry Smith. In the Post yes
terday was an article in which j,
said that the appeal referred to
"brings to mind an incident in the
Republican district convention in
that state in 1894 that nominated
Mr.. Linney for congress" Contin.
ming, the Post said:
The convention was held al
Wilkesboro, N. c., and the con.
: test was close and exciting between
Mr.. Linney and E. S: Blackburn,
one of the most brilliant young re.
publicans of the South. Nomina.
tons of candidates being in order,
a country delegate from the little
mountain county rose and simply
presented the name OF Z. S. Black.
burn, Of Ashe county.
Then came Jerry Smith, who
presented the name Of Mr.. Linney,
in a careful and well-preparec
eulogestic speech. During its de
livery, however, Mr.. Smith evi
IDENTIFY depressed from his manu-
script, when he said:
"Gentlemen--When / was in Mr.
Linney's Office last week preparing
myself for this address, 1 ther
. learned that. Mr.. Linney had ap
peared in over one hundred murdeI
suits, and of all that number onl,
two Of his clients have been hung,
and then returned to his speech
and closed.
During the delivery Of Mr.
Smiths address, the man from
Allegheny county was excited, ant
great drops Of perspiration stoot
on his forehead. As soon as JeIr,
Smith closed, he sprang to tn,
floor, and without waiting for rec
ognition, began:
"Mr. Cheerman-When name,
our young man Blackburn iron
the mountains, made no speech
but can make one" and then wen
on and made an earnest appeal i
behalf Of Blackburn, closing wit
these words: "Now, gintlemiu
our man Blackburn is a younI
man, and lawyer, too. He hahn
'peared in as many murder case
as Mr.. Linney, but Lordy massy
men, you ought just to hear him i
the mountains in 'sault and batter
cases."