Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-08-06
POP ADMINISTRATION ISSUES A
VOTE-BEGGING ADDRESS.
WHY NEGROES SHOULD BE POPS
NO Jim CROW" CARS IF POPULIsM
SHOULD PREVAIL.
Then Negroes Would BE Conductors
and Ticket Agents Instead of
POrters and BOOtblacks-Pen-
siOns for Ex-SIaves-
Kansas Politics.

Topeka, Kas., Aug. 5.-(Special) The
Populist administration has taken steps al
ready TO corral a portion OF the colored
vote next year. II is working through the
organization known as the Colored Mems
Independent State League of Kansas, the
executive officers of which are composed
Of colorod janitors and messengers around
the state house. At present, the executive
officers make up the list Of membership.
The executive committee of this organi-
zation issued an address to-day to the col
ored voters of Kansas. The address was
written by Al KOOntz. press agent of the
administration. The executive" committee
will send copies of the address by the
thousands. at the expense of contingent
funds around the state house. The address
follows:
ITO the Colored Voters Of Kansas.
"Gentlemen:-We take pleasure in calling
your attention TO certain political issues
and facts which we believe 10 be beneficial
to our race We know that the time has
come for US 10 think for ourselves. We
further believe that you will read, weigh
and consider the facts presented in this ap-
peal, and cast your vote in the future for
that party and those principles beneficial
10 you and your children.
Government ownership Of railroads
This issue alone should receive the support
of every negro in this country. Think Of
1t, Our mothers wives, and sisters are
driven to a Jim Crow car in many parts
of this country. Why? Because companies
are the owners. This state of affairs could
not exist if the government owned the
railroads. Government ownership means
more than this to our people. Colored men
will hold other positions besides that of a
porter and bootblack. There are hundreds
of colored porters who have worked for
years and who know every foot of rail
over their runs, who deserve promotion;
who have the intelligence and ability to
serve as conductor, baggagemaster ticket
agent and many other official positions, but
these deserving men and their children
must continue TO serve as porter and boot
black We can change this condition of
things only with our ballots by voting for
government ownership. We then make
promotion possible for hundreds of porters
who deserve it.
Government ownership of banks. or the
postal savings bank-Eyery poor man
should favor this proposition. The failures
of banks never injure Vanderbits, Goulds,
Astors. or that class of men. But it is the
poor man who suffers; so many of these
unfortunate persons are members of our
race. But If the government is the owner
there can be no failure.
THE employees of these banks will be ap-
pointed after they have passed a civil serv-
ice examination, and it is safe to say that
our young men will occupy some of these
positions OF honor and trust. We should
vote for the party favoring these PROPOSE
tions-by so doing we make openings for
our young men and women, whom We are
educating every year. Think of it! We
have hundreds Of cOlOred men employed as
mail carriers and clerks and who are hold
ing other important positions under the
government, and we will have twice as
many when the government controls the
banks and are the owners of all public
Slavery is not the issue of the day. The
war is over. Peace has been declared. We
are voting for living issues, not dead ones.
The reform party favors the issues dis
cussed in this appeal, and many others
which are of great benefit 10 our race. Now
it is with you to take a manly stand in
support OF these principles, and the Popu-
list party.
For Years We have voted for anything
labeled Republican, but we have found out
that the Republican party of to-day is not
the party Of Lincoln, Sumner and Lovejoy,
but an organized corporation existing for
selfish benefits. and who only give our peo-
pie representation when forced to do so,
and then only in a mental way. We hope
that every negro who loves his race and
who wishes a brighter future for his chill
drer will be man enough TO study the prin-
Intelligent vote-by so doing you help TO
better the condition of your race.
To the Members OF the EN-SlaNe -BenSloh
AssociatiOn:-We. the executive committee.
feel interested I'm your efforts to obtain pay
for labor performed-the securing of your
pensions is Of great interest to our race.
We therefore OffeT you our assistance in
this great struggle. We believe that to
pension the ex-slaves is the payment OF IA
debt that is lust and equitable. Had the
Republican party done its duty-passed the
Esughn-ThurstOn eX-slave bill-our aged
fathers and mothers would to-day enjoy a
pension. which they so justly deserve The
eV-slaVe association must take Mr.
Vaughn's advice. Leave the party that
deserted them in this struggle for right.
we pray God that success may crown your
efforts. We stand ready and willing 10 do
anything in our power TO help this cause