The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-04-29
CONVENTIONS.
OF SUCH rs THE KINGDOM OF
REPUBLICANISM.

The News and Observer is in receipt
OF the following modest communica-
ton:
Durham, n. c., April p, 1900.
Editor News and Observer:
Will you kindly allow me to correct
your Durham correspondent, of today S
issue of your paper, that the Republicans
of this county "held a secret political
meeting" The county executive commit
tee, composed of five white men and seven
colored men, did meet and decline to call
a county convention, but selected from
among their own number Except Mr..
Crimes. who was chosen only as an al
ternate) delegates to the various con-
ventions j. f. Shepherd stated that he
had consulted with Senator Prtchard
and Judge Adams, and that this would
meet with their approval. He also stated
that the Republican State chairman said
this would be all right if no member OF
the committee objected" hence the re-
suit.
The meeting was not held behind closed
DOORS as your correspondent indicates,
and no one except the committee partic-
ipated therein. The others present were
only visiting statesmen by invitation.
REPUBLICAN.
Apparently the above is innocent
enough-commonplac and devoid of
any general public interest beyond
the fact that it corrects a slight er-
ror in the published report of the
convention.
But let us see. A little study of the
document may bring out some facts
that are worth our while.
To begin with, who is ''Republi-
cam"
The News and Observer is able to
answer that question. He is a MEM
Der of the county executive committee
which met and constituted itself into
a convention for the appointment of
delegates. He is one of the five white
men.
Hence he can talk as one with au
thority, knowing well whereof he
speaks. Let us, therefore. study his
words:
wv did not hold secret meeting"
he declares in the beginning OF his
communication, but imprudently ends
by saying: mo one except the com
mittee participated therein. The
others present were only visiting
statesmen by invitation
Now that is what Josiah Aliens
wife wotld call real nice"
And this committee? AS to its COM
position we again consult "Republi
can" 1t is, he says, composed of
five white men and seven colored
men,"
A fine tea party. to be sure, 10 be
meeting and selecting delegates.
The openness and candor of 'Repub-
lican" on this point is at once surpris-
ing and delightful. We read: "The
committee : = & did meet and de-
cline to call a county convention, but
selected from among their number
: : : delegates to the various con-
ventions.''
And why no convention? On this
point 'Republican" again proves
well-spring of truth and bubbling
source of information that is truly
refreshing. Hear him: y. f. Shep-
herd stated that he had consulted
with Senator Pritchard and Judge
Adams and that this would meet with
their approval. He also stated that
the Republican State chairman said
this would be alright if no member
of the committee objected
Who is this man j. f. Shepherd.
that speaks for Pritchard Adams and
Holton? And why is he chosen as
their mouthpiece?
On enquiry we find j. f. Shepherd
on the payroll in the revenue office
here. He is one of Duncan's revenue
doodlers-a young negro who came
here from Durham. These three facts
explain why he was selected by
Pritchard & Company.
Now on this committee with Shep-
herd, as above stated there were six
other negroes and five white men.
One of these white men is Sam Hol-
ton; and yet a negro rs chosen over
him and the other white members