The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-13
Little Importance Attached TO
the Selma Meeting
WILLIAM VAUGHAN TALKS
Says Republican Party In Alabama In
tends to Manage Its Own Affairs
Without Regard to the Adj
ministrations Views.


It seems that the republican party In
Alabama is fast getting to be compost
ton of factions, and the latest develop
ment in republican circles, the meeting
of the negroes at Selma this week, is
causing talk, though republicans here say
it will amount to nothing, and are in
clined TO disregard the action taken.
Collector Thompson, who was recently
appointed to the position by the Presi-
dent. and who is known to be one of the
Presidents referees IN Alabama, said
yesterday that the action of the negroes
would not receive recognition. At the
meeting of the negroes a state commit
tee was named, the negroes declaring
that at that mass peeting was formed
the real republican organization In Ala
bama.
Collector Thompson says that many OF
those who were named on the committee
by the "black and tans" were at present
at the meeting and will not lend their
support to the movement
"Blll' Stephens of Admission seems to
have been the main spirit of the meet
ing. He introduced the resolution which
said that as there was no republican or
ganization In Alabama the mass meeting
had been called to form one, and that
hereafter the Alabama republican party
would be formed of the element represent
ed in that meeting.
Doors TO Open.
Collector Thompson is opposed to the
lilly white" movement and says the
time will come when the doors of the re-
publican convention will again be thrown
open to colored delegates. He is opposed
to the movement of the "black and tans"
at Selma, and does not think it will
amount to anything.
William. Vaughan, who was formerly
United States district attorney, said last
night that the action of the negroes at
Selma would not amount to anything
and it was his opinion tnat the state or
ganization would remain as it was at
present.
w r. Pettiford, a Birmingham negro,
president of the Alabama Penny Savings
and Loan company, says his name was
used In connection with the Selma meet
ing and that it was unauthorized.
Thompson's Views.
When seen yesterday Collector Thomp-
son said:
'I think the meeting at Selma does
the republicans of Alabama a great in
! justice, as only a few met without any
party authority, ana set up bogus or
ganiaztion that will not be in any way
recognized by the Alabama republicans.
There is only one organization of the
republican party in Alabama and at an
early date 1t is believed it will meet
| and pass resolutions that will place 1t in
harmony with the administration and
satisfy all factions.
81 know that at least nine-tenths of
those who were named as committeeman
by the negroes who met at Selma were
not there and will not support such a
step.
1.-THE doors of the next convention will
be wide open for the admission of all
| legally elected delegates who are quail
| fed electors, regardless of color. 1t is
believed that so per cent of the present
committee q refer to the only republican
committee that exists are for this policy
1t is admitted by all now mat the action
of the late convention was wrong as View
| ed either from the standpoint OF prin-
ciple or policy in excluding the negro
delegates, and 1 feel that l can safely
| say that no such thing will ever be at
tempted again.
William Vaughan Talks.
William Vaughan said last night:
Some white men were inclined to en-
courage the negroes who met at Selma,
and yet the negroes in the meeting took
the bit in their own mouths and ran
J away with the band wagon. 1 do not
think that any of the white black and
tans' were satisfied with what was done.
"The regular republican organization i'll
Alabama will remain what 1t is now. in
my opinion. The only party OF republic
cans in Alabama Is the party of which
w. l. Weilman is chairman of the execu-
tive committee.
at Is true, few little spasmodic eff
forts have been made by several people
to organize themselves, but they did not
know where they were and had nothing
en- which to act
II think the administration Is going to
realize before long that the republican
party in Alabama is going to run its own
affairs to suit Itself. and we don't care TO
be dictated to from any outside source.
We have as much right to run our party
here in Alabama as the republican or
CARNATIONS In other states have to con-
duct theirs. If it suits the administration,
all right, but II 1t does not, it can use
any method 1t sees fit in regard to it."
Pettiford's Letter.
w. R. Pettiford has sent the following
communication to The Age-Herald:
To the Editor of The Age-IIerald:
l notice In the report of a meeting held
in Selma OIL the 18th instant headed by
w. ]. Stevens, that my name appears In
connection with the Organization sup
posed to have been effected. l desire to
say that my name was used without my
authority, and l wish 1t understood that
l am not In sympathy with the action
taken in tho meeting.
December Il. w. r. PETTIFORD.