The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-12
Mass Meeting Of Negroes%aI
Selma Very Enthusiastic
BILL STEPHENS IN The LEAD
Resolutions Pass cOngratulatlns West
ern States on Loyalty to Roosevelt.
Presidents Advisers Named on
the State Committees. 4

Selma, December II. = Especially = The
mass meeting called in Selma to take ac-
tion as opposed to the lily white move
ment in Alabama convened at 2 o'clock
this afternoon n Green Street hall. John
Gee called the meeting to order and C.
III Walker of Dallas was made chair
nun, Gee being made secretary.
There were about thirty negroes pres
lent from various sections CT the state.
including "Bill" Stephens of Calhoun,
Simmons of Talladega J. s. Davis Of Mo-
lille and w. H. Nixon. What was lack
ing in numbers seemed to be made up in
enthusiasm, and the statement was fire.
quently D1ads en- the floor that but for
the expense in coming a much larger
crowd would have been IN attendance.
After the organization of the meeting
was made Stephens presented the follow
ing resolutions, which were adopted:
Whereas, There is no organization of
the republican party in Alabama, as has
been evidenced by the late action of
President Roosevelt, who refused to ac-
cord the lily white organization such
recognition because of its unwarranted
elimination of legally elected delegates,
and because Of its disregard for the fun
damental principles and tonets of the
party at so-called republican state, dis
trict and county conventions held in this
state during the months of August and
September last contrary to all former
republican usages; and
Whereas, we recognize the absolute ne
cessity for a thorough and complete or
ganization; do now to ACCOMPLISH this
end proceed to the formulation of the
party In this state.
New Organization.
Resolved first, by the republicans of
Alabama in mass convention assembled,
that we do hereby formulate and organ
lie a republican organization.
Therefore, we constitute, set up, or
ganize and establish, In and for this state
republican party that adheres with
fealty, loyalty and patriotism to the fun
damental principles as enumerated by the
several national conventions.
Resolved second, That we are unalter-
ably opposed to any movement to recog-
nize in any way the lilly white independ-
ent movement or state committee that
represents said movement
Resolved third, That we are opposed to
the use of patronage to secure the con-
troll of a machine that represents Meth
er votes or republican principles
Resolved fourth That we are against
any lily white committee in defiance of
republican President and the republic
can party.
Resolved fifth Thai tho torovootara nd
advocates of the lily white organization
in Alabama who have eliminated, out
ragged and abused loyal party men, to the
injury of the party in the nation, have
not the sense to lead, not the wisdom to
follow.
Resolved, 6. That 1t is the earnest wish
and most ardent desire of this mass con-
vention that all of President Roosevelt's
friends without reflection of feeling or
shade of color, get together and work
together, to the uplifting and upbuilding
of the party and be actuated by that con-
servative spirit which will meet the APP
prevail of republicans In every state of
the union.
Resolved, 7. That inasmuch as neither
the federal or state governments have
curtailed representation from the basis
of population in congress- or In the legis-
lature of the state; therefore we are I'M
alterably opposed to the unjust and un-
| precedented policy inaugurated by the
lilly whites in depriving sixteen black
belt counties of the usual republican ap-
portionment heretofore adhered to by all
| conventions and at the same time In
creasing, that of the white counties, who
so far as anti-democracy Is concerned are
populstic, which gives that element
predominance In all of our conventions.
Resolved, 8, That three Intellectual ef-
! forts having been made to convene the
| partial committee selected at Birming-
ham September 1917, 1902, resulting in alb
solute failure numerically by dominating
influences of federal Observation-Disclosures
| fore we repudiate said committee and de-
clare that the same does not now exist
Committees Provided For.
After the adoption of resolutions con-
graduating the middle and western states
on their loyalty to the republican party,
and indorsing Roosevelt, a resolution was
adopted on organization which provided
for an executive committee of five MEM
bers from each congressional district. the
first named to be the temporary chair
man for the purpose of calling the COM
mittee in each district together. these
five to be the congressional executive
committee. William j. Stephens of CAL
houn was named as chairman, and John
M. Gee of Dallas as secretary of this
committee, and the following members
were chosen
First District-J. S. Davis. Mobile; A.
B. Geseboro, Clark; A. Boyd, Mobile; p.
d. Barker, Mobile; I. A. Medley.
Marengo.
Second District-J. ]. Smith, Crenshaw;
1. R. Field. Wilcox; G. l.. Mills, Butler;
C. H. Scott Montgomery; P. j. Canes,
Wilcox.
Third Districts. M Murphy, Barbour;
w. f. Goden, Lee; A. Frazier, Lee; w.
F. Garden, Lee; P. B. Echols, Lee
Fourth District-C H. Walker, Dallas;
A. D. Evans. Dallas; e. w. Simmons,
Talladega; W. f. Aldrich, Shelby; d. M.
Mcclellan, Talladega.
Fifth District-H. A. Cason, Lowndes;
Henry Franklin, Lowndes; Benson La
mar. Autauga; ]. c. Manning, ITALIA
poosa; Perry Sullens, Autauga.
sixth District-J. S. Holiday, Marion:
Ned Jones, Hale; James Threadford,
Green; Ignatus Green, Tuscaloosa; VIII
liam Carter. Green.
Seventh District-J. S. Thornton J. q.
Riley, j. r. Simms, w. S. Standifer, job 1
Cant, all of Etowah.
EipAtb Dfstrfct-Y A Wallace, Lau-