The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-26
TO SIXTH WARD VOTERS
VIZ. BOOkwALTER ADDRESSED HIM
SELF TO THEM LAST NIGHT.
His Explanation OF Why Bird street
Was Not Paved-Certifcntion of
Republican Ticket.

The headquarters of the Hodcarriers'
Union, at 500 Indiana avenue, was well filled
with colored and white voters OF the Sixth
ward last night and Charles A. Bookwalter
and Gurley Brewer aroused them to a high
pitch Of enthusiasm by two spirited
speeches. Owing to other engagements ii
was rather late when Mr.. ar
rived, but the audience was kept interested
by Gurley Brewer. who said at the start: 81
appeal TO our intelligence in asking you to
support the Republican ticket and not to
your appetites. Republican campaigns are
not conducted on the principle that a negro
can be made to see his best interests
through a wine glass. We try to make men
sober and better. Years ago industries were
developed by slave labor, but now they are
better served by free labor and the pres
ent condition of the black man is due TO
Republican legislation. Independents and
Democrats say we dwell too long on the
past. but 1 for one am proud of the long
record of the party which has never left
any blighted credit, ruined homes and out
ragged honor in its path of progress. 1t is
the party that has made the negro what
he Is. The Independent colored voters try TO
get away from the fact that they are DEM
49, VII liz ~ II 1d65dAl
Is defeated and rejoice if he is elected. Do
they not work with him for the same ends.
1t is these same Independents who opposed
the late war, although there never was a
time in the Nations history when it was so
necessary that a wholesome sentiment
should be cultivated in support of the Pres
ident in his trying situation. We are our
selves the creatures of a bloody war and
the Republican party is responsible for our
freedom, so ], for one. will think long and
earnestly before / desert the party which
has always been the friend Of the black
man.
AT this moment the door opened and Mr..
Bookwalter walked in to tremendous APP
plause. Instead of mounting the rostrum he
took his stand in the middle of the floor
and said: 1T Is a matter for congratulation
that so many are present I'm a precinct of
a ward in which the Democrats are pleased
TO think that they will get a majority OF
the Republican votes. / want to say that
the Republican party is on the eve of &
big victory and the colored Republicans are
going TO reap their full share OF the bene-
local phases, will be momentous, as many
people, without regard to party affiliations,
express the belief that four years Of the
present Democratic administration have
been enough and 1 look for the Sixth ward,
mostly composed of colored Republicans, to
show the State that this city can be admin
istered honestly and economically instead
or being run for personal gain. The Demo-
Gratis try TO make out that the Republican
party is opposed TO Improvement. On the
contrary, 1t has always been progressive
In Its work. In a recent speech the mayor,
while exploiting the work of his admins
~tration, said that the public street improve
ment had been systematically done from
the center OF the city to the suburbs.
With regard TO that 1 want to call at
tention TO one street which the admins
rQi0n 0y-nrlnnknd o14hnnUh tho rpax~nr sold
that all the streets and alleys within the
mile square had been improved. al a
look at Bird street. between New York and
Ohio streets. Times without number the
abutting property owners have asked the
Board OF Works TO pave that alley and the
church situated OH one of its corners has
repeatedly done so as a measure to keep
Its sidewalks clean. But in spite of all
this the Beard of Works has carted in loads
alley at the expense of the city, and all
because a member of the Board of Works
owns eighty feet of ground abutting the
street.
1.-The mayor has also referred in his
speeches TO the fine new police station his
administration has built, but he doesn't say
that X was built not by saving dollars by
an economical administration. but by bond
ing the city. He doesn't say, in speaking
OF his park purchases and his contemplated
bridge building that 1t was done and will
dianapolis. He compares the price paid for
land for Garfield Park under a Republican
dumlIllStTdIlOH Wlln l1dL pdlu ny Ills dG-
ministration for Riverside Park to the dis
advantage Of the Republican party. but
every one of you knows that the most in
fiated prices in realty ever known in this
city We're during the boom days when Gar
field Park was bought. The Republican
administration, il put in office. will go on
with the park WORK and beautify the land
now purchased. but it will not, by that
act, cease to criticize the judgment of the
party making the purchase. With regard
to the misleading statements of Democrats
as TO the attitude of the Republican party
on track elevation j will say that the party
is out to secure the safety of the people. but
not. necessarily. by the Jeup plan, which
contemplates building a Chinese wall around
the city and with switching done at grade.
IL will not adopt this method, but one in
finitely better"
Mr.. Bookwalter also addressed meetings
in the Sixth ward at No. Az North Senate
Michigan streets and at No. 419 West New
York street. being received by large audi
enceS at every point. .
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