The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-18

vut iSSShtly iallSn upon the race IN TINS
city.
The negro preacher finds an able and en-
ergetic ally in the negro woman. She is
the fomenter Of discord and the creator
of disturbance, and even the preachers
were forced to warn the women of their
churches TO stop their violent talking and
help in the work of order.
To sum up, the bosses, white and black,
the preachers, the society officers and the
women, all have hand in controlling the
rank and file of negro voters 1t IS a
fact that practical ostracism, and some>
times severfng of family relations, awaits
negro who fails to vote the regular Re
publican ticket.
AS the fall election of 1898 approached
the negroes were assured by their leaders
that a victory for them at the polls would
mean reversal of positions and the sub
jLgation of the whites. The negroes seem
ed besides themselves with their disorder
ly conduct. and particularly their behavior,
to the ladies' and children OF the city
aroused the whites to a state OF excite
ment that was not allayed by the fears
OF more fortunate cities which were cog
INFANT of the state of affairs at Whining
ton.
"A quiet examination was made of the
state of affairs, and ii was decided that
the time had come TO bring about clear
ing of the Augean stables The business
men of the city, with but three exceptions.
commenced the work of organization. Ii Is
of special note that the committee in
charge was composed of the most substan-
tial business and professional men. the
combined wealth of whom would approx
Innate S20.000OO0.
subcommittee on protection organized
tho home guard. rhe detail was as fol-
lows: A city block was taken as a unit
In each block captain was appointed He
was instructed to ascertain the number
of males bearing arms in the block. and
the defensive weapons possessed by them,
also 10 require the unnrmed 10 procure
weapons. His report was made TO a divis-
ion captain, who had charge Of every three
blocks and he in turn reported to a com
mander then reported to the commander in
chief, who was assisted by a vice com
mander
In this manner the entire city was or
ganlzed. The organization was one of fact
not theory. 1t included every white citi-
zen of the town, with fifteen exceptions.
and formed compact body of well-armed
intelligent men, whose whole aim was the
protection of their homes. The number Of
men, who in the crisis were under arms,
reached three thousand, or more than the
entire white vote of the city.
BY popular subscription two rapid-fire
guns, costing some eighteen hundred dol
lars, were brought from the Remington
Company. The guards were drilled, not only
in their use, but were given thorough
mastery of small arms, and an acqualnt-
ance with The principles OF military drill
and discipline.
All these precautionary measures were
under the direction of the citizens COM
mittee
An atto,,,,4 r,aa MADE ~, r,..o,,s..... -, A.,
with the Republicans to prevens any clash
between the races, and both sides made
concessions, but this was Of little avail. II
was then decided that as the interests OF
the city demanded return of the gov
ornamental control into the hands of white
men, but as IL was not desired that con-
flicts should arise at the polls, an attempt
should be made TO persuade the negro not
TO register. This, owing to the efforts of the
negro leaders, aided by the bosses and the
women. was of little avail.
The utter unreliability Of the negro la
bo1ers and their attitude toward their en-
ployers forced The employers 10 take such
action toward their colored help as they
would toward white help who were work
ing against their employers interest As
the continuance Of negro rule was detri-
mental TO the business interests Of the city
it was determined to discharge negroes
who registered and to replace discharged
help with white labor. Through The opera
ton Of this rule some 600 efficient white
laborers found employment.
SO earnestly had the employers consld-
cred the situation thai they entered into
correspondence with Northern labor bu-
reaus and seriously talked over the propo-
sition OF adding a thousand industrious, in
telligent, self-respecting white citizens
from beyond the city limits This plan was
not carried out and is at present in abey-
ance.
/ will continue the subject ia my next
letter. Guy Carleton Lee.