The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-03
Branch Organizations to Be Formed
in All the Wards.
DR.. JONES Is MADE PRESIDENT.
He Made a Speech in Which He Said
This Was No Fight for Social
Equality - Headquarters TO
be Opened-To Have Free
quent Lectures on Poll
tics and other Topics.

The co'ored Republicans Of Richmond
last night organized a Central League
and adopted a plan looking to the es-
Enlistment Of branch leagues in all the
wards Of the city.
There were nearly one hundred men
at the meeting held in Harris Hall, on
north Third street. They were among
the most intelligent and prosperous or
their race in Richmond. Some OF those
present were Or. II. L. Jones. Roger
Franklin. Charles Johnson, Rev. Evans
Payne. William !. Johnson. Hezekiah
Curtis Benjamin Jackson, Henry j.
Moore A. NJ. Burton. Morton Deane, Nor
man v. Bachus G. a. Scott, Or. T.. y.
Ramsay. Rev. Wills Wines Rev. J. II.
Brice. William Williams. John Powell,
Sterling Scott Colin Payne, Jesse VII
lams George Reed. Napoleon Price.
Daniel Henderson. William Gray, John
Taylor. b. p. Vanderyal. Armistead
Walker, John Clinton, and John o.
Lewis
While the organization IS given po-
litlcal name. its objects as stated In the
plan and I'm the speecrts. are broad, and
cover a variety Of subjects. IT - pro-
posed 10 open headquarters, employ a
secretary. and keep the rooms open from
- \. VI. TO 10 p. NJ. form n library, have
frequent meetings and lectures on current
topics.
AS TO POLITICS.
There were n dozen or more speeches
made Nearly all who addressed the
gathering We're of the opinion tnat the
time had come when the colored Repub-
md ..f rio
furnish the votes for their party, but
when the plums fall they gather but few
of them lt was cOntended. also, that
the average colored man who IS given an
office is not representative or the best
element of his race. IL was said by many
that the negro omiceholders were the
worst enemies of their people. They were
men who practically belonged to unscru-
pulous politicians.
Dr. R. j.. Jones. who sent out INVITA-
tions 10 the meeting, presided. lie nauo
a somewhat lengthy speech, in which no
cxplained tho object of the gathering.
NE wanted il understood at the outset
that the meeting was not in tho interest
! Of any individual nor 10 promote th"
candidacy of any ono for office. lt was
NOT "a cot any one I'm the postoiice, nor
IA get any one ont OF the postonlce' nc
had for "a long time seen the necessary
OF organization among the c0lored ~
publlcaus. While disorgauizod they We're
| used to promote the political asplra.loua ,
of men OF both races who were uh"S ~,
office IL was Well 90 have a sitd' ',-.li -
organization, with branches IN lhe VI v''
and "a home 90 meet m dally' W. -
,ss,,es of tne day might bee discussed anu
e,nl,ined by Intelligent men of his race
40 SOCIAL EQUALITY.
Dr ZONES said he wanted it known that
+bis was not "A movement directed lo".lu
securing social equality. social eFu"'l''
was only "a dream. The inteihseht 0oi.
orad man recognized the superiori'y "l
,,o Anglo-saxon race Social stsndnB
| could not come through orsanl]a 'ion ~
| ,,,o, demand. There were white men
,,t+b whom me would not think Of asso-
ciating Tho proposed organization was
49, nrotect the colored man IN his civil
rights and 10 aid him in BUSINESS ana %
! holm him become a better citizen.
Tho doctor told his hearers that they
! sbould be proud OF the progress they have
made since they became free men. he
uroed them 10 remember that cleanH-
moss good behavior and money would
| give them "a standing among men that
every c5lored man should seek.
OTHER 81 If@AlNi<iN'
Colin Payne warned his friends that
| until the colored men should come TO-
zether and fight for their political rights
| and stand by each other In business mat
| tors they could not hope 20 succeed.
| B. e.. West said while he had always
| been a Republican he did not know how
| long he would remain one, for that party
| changes color very often. lie endorsed
! the proposed organization.
John Powell, Rev. J. H. Brice, c. a.
| Scott and others made speeches. scott
! deprecated making IL a political organiza-
| ton. lie thought the best thing 10 do
would bo 70 organize solely for the pur-
pose OF educating the colored men and
! aiding each other in acquiring property
The colored man was not yet prepared 20
become a success IN politics.
A plan was adopted 20 form a central
league with branches in all the wards.
The following officers were elected Presi-
dent. DR.. r. f.. Jones; vice-presdent, Co
lin payne: secretary. Roger Franklin; as
sistant secretary, b. =. Vanderval; treas
| ttrer Anderson Evans.