The St. Louis Republic., 1901-03-10
FOR ROLLk WELLS
r. and ENTIRE TICKET.
.1-z
Negroes, Dissatisfied With Ziegen-
= heinism, Pledge Their Support
to Democratic Candidates.
THEY ADOPT RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. Wells inEa Speech Tells How
His Father Secured J. Milton
Turner's Appointment as
Minister to Liberia.

| The negroes of st. Louis opposed TO the
Ziegenhein administration and determined
! to do all in their power to forever wipe out
| the Republican machine met last night al
| the West End Coliseum and adopted reso-
| lutions pledging their votes and support tC
| the Democratic ticket.
! Arrangements had been made for pro-
| cession and torchIight demonstration, but
| the inclement weather precluded the posi-
biIity of any demonstration of that kind.
The meeting was not as harmonious as it
might have been on account of the differ
ence that arose over the selection of n per-
manert chairman. Charles W. Williams was
selected to fill that position. but when AL
Ian w. Wilkinson arrived he insisted that
he had a hand in the affair and was en-
titled to the honor of presiding. There were
warm times for short while and many of
those present. fearing trouble, started to
leave the hall. At this juncture J. Milton
Turner took the stand and poured oil on
the troubled waters. While he was speak
ing Rolla Wells, the Democratic candidate
for Mayor; Harry B. Hawes and Doctor
Scherck entered the hail. and all wrangling
ceased.
Mr. Wells made a characteristic speech
He told the meeting that he had not sought
the nomination. but, having 1t. was deter
mined to do all that was in his power to
win. II want everybody" he said. Ito ur-
derstand that If am elected 1 Will be the
Mayor of all the people, and my object will
be to render to the city the very best service
of which am capable, to the end that the
burdens of government may fall as lightly
possible upon the shoulders of all" Con-
tinuins, Mr. Wells said that he had always
been friendly to the negro. and closed his
address by narrating the story of the ap-
pointment of j. Milton Turner as Minister
to Liberia by President Grant
Mr.. Wells said: Before 1 started to talk
to you tonight you doubtless noticed that
l held a whispered conversation with Mr..
Turner. l did so in order to know whether
he. was willing that L should tell the story
of his appointment. Years have passed
since the incident occurred, but it is indeli-
bly, fixed in my mind and because of 'auld
lang syne.'
I'm 1878, when my father was in Congress
from this city and we We're living at. the
was stricken with scarlet fever. She was
mere child at that time and her life was
despaired Of One morning her condition
that she could recover. 1t was about g
o'clock and she needed physician at once.
The clerk at the hotel was out of his office,
ing to go. for the doctor himself. AS he
reached the door. about 5 o'clock in the
morning. he met J. Milton Turner. He told
for the doctor, and did SO, and the physician
got to the bedside in time to save my sis
terS life.
"a day or so after that father. met Turner
and asked him his business In the city
as Minister to Liberia. but find my chances
are very slim and am Of the opinion that /
will not get the place.
'The following day father went to see
President Grant and asked him about the
appointment of n Minister to Liberia. The |
President said he had just made the ap- |
pointment and filled out the commission |
"Whom did you appointT said Congress.
man Wells. The name was given, but not |
that Of j. Milton Turner. Mr.. Wells said |
to the President. I am interested in Turner. |!
He Is a good man. and though a negro is !
entitled to this place He then related the
story Of how Turner had befriended him
when he had need for man. After the