The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-10
CONVENTION INCIDENTS.
How Mrs. Josephine Ruffin Was Out
witted and Was Paid $3.50.

The Milwaukee correspondent of the Chi
cago Inter Ocean says Mrs. Rebecca Lowe,
president of the General Federation, and the
members of the board of directors were
pursued by a constable on Friday, and it
that happened to be connected with the
color-line question. Mrs. Josephine Ruffin,
the colored delegate from the New Era
Club of Boston. who had been denied her
right to sit in the convention, become tired
of waiting for adjustment of her differ
ences with the federation officials, and she
consulted a prominent colored attorney of
Milwaukee. Upon his advice she swore out
a writ of mandamus to prevent the dissolu-
ton of the old board of federation directors
until it made an accounting of the $3.50 paid
into the federation treasury by the New
Era Club.
The utmost secrecy was maintained, and
the writ was put into a constable's hands,
The officer was directed to serve the writ
when Mrs. Lowe arrived at the Alhambra
Theater to conduct the business session, at
which the biennial election was to take
place. The constable had often served writs
at theaters. and he had his programme all
prepared. He was ready to wait in the
wings, and just before Mrs. Lowe called the
convention he was to say.
Excuse me, madam" and read the legal
writ to the president of the federation.
Unfortunately, the board of directors be-
came uneasy on account of Mrs. Rufin's
too quiescent conduct. Some of them had
an idea that something might be done at
the last moment. A lawyer was consulted
and he advised the calling of meeting of
the board of directors. the return of the
money. and the expulsion of the New Era
Club from the general federation. The
meeting was called. and at exactly p. m.
a note inclosing Mrs. Ruffin's $3.50 and noti-
flying her OF the final decision of the board
was placed in the discarded delegates let
ter box at the Plankington Hotel. There
was nothing to do but recall the writ of
mandamus, and to request the constable not
to make a scene at the Alhambra Theater.
Mrs. Ruffn's action was taken as a last
resort. as Massachusetts, proved weak
kneed when put TO the test In supporting
its delegate The women lodged the issue
and told Mrs. Ruffin that for the reputation
Of the club women she must remain pas
sive. 1t was said the colored delegate was
TO be given every courtesy, but instead of
being treated with common politeness she
was asked to remain away from the con-
vention hall and the strongest pressure was
put upon her. She was urged to go TO Chi
cago, and when Ii was discovered that she
was unyielding in her demands the prob
lem became "a great bother to the delega-
ton. Delegates who went to the business
session on Friday answered all questions
ness, and Mrs West. who had been pia-
Gated by dictatorship, said that Mrs. Ruff
fin would not appear in the convention hall.
Mrs. Rufftn said on Friday night: THE
fight In this convention has been
between the North and the South
and the South is overwhelmingly
victorious. l shall write a courteous
note to the treasurer, who should have sent
the money returned TO me TO the treasurer
of the Massachusetts, Federation. Whether
l returned the money or not would make
no difference, as am still member OF the
General Federation. and / have made the
directors show their hands. i have forced
the issue and shall govern my actions ac-
cordingiy.'
Mrs. Ruffin sent note TO Mrs. Philip n
Moore, the Federation treasurer, acknowl-
edging the receipt of the $3.50 and assuring
The directors they would hear from her
again. Mrs. West, chairman OF the Massa-
chusetts delegation. said: I'VE may begin
suit against the directors for accepting the
fees and refusing Mrs. Ruffin's club. the
privilege OF representation. We have con-