The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-28
Bishop Walters Says He Will Strong
ly Advocate the Election of Nc
kinIey and Roosevelt
OTHER PROMINENT DELEGATES
WILL OPPOSE THE INTRODUCTION
OF POLITICS IN CONVENTION.
Reprcsentative George Fl. White Here
Secret Meeting of Coiored Men
Held Last Night.

Among the more prominent delegates to
the National Council,
which begins its sessions in this city to-
day, is Bishop Walters. the president of the
council. who arrived late last evening. The
bishop attended the evening session OF the
National Afro-American Press Association,
and during the contention which arose over
the adoption of the resolution indorsinS
the Mckinley administration was an inter-
ested listener. After the resolution had
been defeated the bishop obtained the spe-
ciaI privilege of the chairman to make a
few remarks. He said 1t was unfortunate
that a resolution indorslng any party had
been introduced as it might precipitate a
struggle in the coming sessions of the coun-
Gil which would divert attention from the
real object of the meeting. which he de-
clared to be the betterment of the colored
race. He said the colored people were too
fast in matters of great import.
'If," said he. the Democratic party will
put itself on record and agree to remedy
the great wrongs it has done us, then 1
promise 10 do all | can for that party. But
will it do it? Would you have faith in
it's promises? Will 1T enfranchise those
whom it has disfranchised? Will it make
again men of those whom it has made
things?'
The bishop was interrupted several times
by j.. W.. Lawson and others, but through
the Intervention of the chairman, was al
lowed to complete his remarks. After the
| meeting had adjourned the bishop, in an
interview with a Journal reporter. said
he had certain information that the Re-
publican party intended TO make an issue
out of the outrageous conduct of the DEM
| ocratic party in DISTINGUISHING the colored
| voters in the South. when the colored
| people learn of this" said he, there
will be no question about their allegiance. L
intend in my address tomorrow to indorSe
the present administration and to advise
all within the sound of my voice to vote for
Mckinley and Roosevelt 1t is TO our in
| terests to do so, and besides 1t is the only
| safe thing TO do" Bishop Walters said he
did not think the council would indorse the
| administration as a body, as there was a
| feeling prevalent among the majority of the
| delegates that Ii was not within the prov
ince of that body to do so. Other delegates
to the convention who have an inkling of
what Bishop Walters proposes to say ip
his address declare he will not be permit
ted to do as he likes in the matter, and
that he will be compelled to modify his
| speech IL he attempts TO employ any radical
| expressions.
r. Thomas Fortune, editor of the New
York Age, said last night that the Afro
American Council was nonpartisan, and
that it would form no political afiliation
with any party. "While l am personally
| for Mckinley and Roosevelt" said Mr..
| Fortune, my loyalty TO my race, which /
feel should be above that 1 hold to any
party, impels me to keep my own personal
preferment in the background"
w. H.. A. Moore, a representative of the
| Chicago Record, said he was sorry that
politics had in any way threatened to de-
feat the aims of the council. There may
be an attempt" said Mr.. Moore, by the
Democrats to capture the council, but it
will not succeed. The majority of the del
egates are Republicans, and such a move
ment on the part of the Democrats could
not help but meet with disastrous failure"
Among the prominent delegates that are
here are DIR. p. p. Scott. editor of the
Southwestern Christian Advocate, of New
| Orleans; Prof. III. T. Healing, of Philadel-
| phia, editor of the NJ. e. Church Review;
| Col j. r. Marshall, of Chicago. colonel of
| the Eighth Illinois in the Spanish-American
war; j. w Lyons, register of the treasury,
Washington; DIR. d. w. Jones, of Chicago,
and others.
Booker IT. Washington has not yet ar
| rived, but Bishop Walters said last night
that he had received a letter from him say
ing that he would be here tomorrow.