Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1900-07-08
FROM JEFFERSON MADE A GRAND STAND PLAY IN
 STATE CONVENTION.
ED JEFFERSON THE BULLY
Sat Down on Proper by the In huential "Brothers"--A Dis
 grace to Jefferson Co.

Ed Jefferson 8 notorious negro officer of this county, almost caused riot in the State Republican League Convention in Little Rock, Friday. He was doubtless playing for notoriety. He got it but later tried to "apoogize" for bis conduct. The Gag stte of Saturday says lief ferson is lone of most prominent negroes in Jefferson county but that is quite far from being correct.
 Ia giving an account of the ''grand-stand play Jefferson made, the Gazette says:
 The convention met as per pro- gram at 10 8. m aud everything rocked along smoothly and without ripple of excitement until the naming of the officers began. Hon. Sid B. Reddlng has been re elected for president and Messrs. Bratton and Roots tor secretary and treas- urer, respectively. with Hon. Chs. D. Greayes, of Hot spsihss, in the chair. bout 4:39 o'clock, President 1 Bedding announced that the next order of business was the election of six vice presidents of the state l league, one from each congressional l district. He asked that the delega- tiohs from each district call out the name of the person they bad agreed upon at the various meetings held during the noon recess.
 When the second district was called James Brizzo aea, Of Fort Smith, arose in ths rear of tue. ball add cslled oat the name of c. E. R der 6f Fort Smith A delegate from Jefferson caanty put up a negro name against Rider but it was not received.
 The char stated that there had been a regularly called meeting held to select wee president from the second district and that the chair man of that district had given that name to the convention aud it had beer received At that the negro sat down.
 Hardly bad he touched the chair 
 when negro sitting oy h.m who had been an excited listener jumped to his feet and demanded recog nj tion. 1 | was seen at once that be was Ed Jefferson. Excitedly be began to talk, walking back and forth and gestieulating wildly, the convention paying him respectful atten tion. II understood, he cried out, "that this was Republican conven tion and that its object was to increase the vote of the party in l Arkansas. Now we are naming a vice president from each of the six congressional districts. We have l the name of colored man to pre- sent, but you will not receive it, taking that of my white brotter ir- stead. You say to me that the only time you need ne is when you want me to Yote and then you will tell me how shall cast my vote. That's all the use you have fur us and you decline to give us recognition among the six vice presidents.
 When you do need us you need us bad.' l wish to call the attention of the convention to the history of the civil war. Abe Lincoln started ous to free the negro and 10 whip I the 5outherners. He fought along for some years, but when he called out the black boys to help him fight 1 peace was soon declared. It was the same when you went to take Santiago. The white faces went over there alone, but it was not long before the blackbirds were called upon to assist in the battle. Cuba nor 10 other place has been 1 taken as yet without the aid of the l blacks.
 T call the attention Of tnes white brothers to ksis and ask that you share 2 litae Of the pie with us. I have bee hieh and low Low when I Eas s 1eno beE the Ars sansas