The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-07
Republican Referees Gary Their Point in Conference at
 Montgomery
BIG FIGHT IS MADE ID
 PROGRAMME COMMITTEE
Negroes Occupied One Side In Hall sna Whltes the Other, and Were Eivided on Question of De.
 rosine the Chairman.
BY HOWARD 8. WILLIAMS.

BY HOWARD 8. WlLLlAMs.
 Montgomery May 6.-(special. 1.-The conference of Alabama republicans called by the referees of President Roosevelt to- day endorsed Roosevelt's administration, repudiated the acflon of the last state convention in eliminating tlc negro del gates, provided that in the future all qual- flied electors. whether white or black, should be allowed to participate in con- ventions, agreed that the representation in congress from the souzn should he re- duced, and tendered vote o thanks to the referees, J. O. rhomDsD, William r. Aldrich and Charles Il. scott.
 After nearly six hours f discussions some dissensions, a little wrangling specch-making and a few heated argu- ments this in brief is what the confer ence did after the convention opened and before 1t adjourr.d
 The real fight and friction came up on a resolution present I v the committee on resolutions and il iust N hat the referees had hoped would be avoided. This dissension, and the only one If any con sequence during the proceedings. cropped cut when the following resolution was read:
 A Bone of Contention.
 Be it further resolved. That it Is the sense of this conference that there should [ be chosen d chairman and state executive committee of the republican party of Ala bama in harmony with the views here in expressed; that the present pretended republican organization in this state is out of harmony with the national admin istration and the national party organiza- tion. and as such is not d representative republican organization. That 1t is the duty of the republicans of Alabama to place their party organization in harmony with the national administration and with the fundamental principles of the nation al epublican party.r
 The negroes wanted 1t adopted and in- deed appeared eager for it's passage. The white men in the confersn,e were equal ly eager to have it defeated
 Negroes Given Seats.
 When the republicans entered the chamber of the house of representatives in the capitol. where the conference was held, the negroes took seats on one side of a side aisle and the white republicans on the other. When the fight on this resolution came up there was no mis- taking who opposed and who approved 1t. White republicans arose and pleaded that 1t be defeated, that their work must not be accomplished on such lines. Black republicans arose and said it was just what they wanted and were there for. | One of them said it was time to thor oughly reorganize the republican party in Alabama and put negroes on the ex- ecutive committee.
 At this juncture it looked as though the negroes were endeavoring to take the bit in their mouths and run away with the band wagon, ana override the wishes of the referees by forcing the adoption of the resolution. It's adoption would practically mean that the lilly white" members of the committee would be repudiated and that the conference favored radical measures in reorganizing the committee, deposing the chairman and running it. The negroes lacked just fourteen votes of carrying their point.
 White vs. Black.
 After much debate, during which the referees pleaded for the defeat of the resolution, saying that they had a ma jority already and would control it's action, a vote was taken. The vote stood "A for and sS against It was almost a Sbllu HtBlo Nclt dEdlHSl d SO1u W0llt vote There were several exceptions, however, three white republicans voting with the negroes and four negroes voting with the white republicans on the ques- ton. Those who voted with the negroes were F. D. Barker, postmaster at Mobile; M. D. Wickersham, United States attor- ney at Mobile, and William Garden, dep- uty collector at Opelika. Among the four negroes who voted with the white he of boro well known among Alabama repub- licans.
 In this discussion it became evident that what the negroes wanted was reorgan- ization of the republican party in Ala bama and representation on the execu- tive committee. They heartily applauded any reference to Roosevelt and cheered any statement denouncing the policies of
 the lilly whites" of the state.
 Referees Won Out.
 It can be truthfully said what the re- ferees wanted the conference to do was done, with two exseri,ors. They di, not want the resolution above referred to to come up in any shape or manner and did not want the resolution referring to southern representation adopted When the latter resolution came up the three referees voted against it.
 After the fight Oh the resolution relat- ing to the executive committee the fol- lowing resolutions were adopted. every one of them unanimously, except that re- lating to southern Representations:
 The Resolutions.
 Be it resolved, That it is the sense of this conference of the republicans of Alabama. that untii the courts of the country pass upon tl' suffrage provisions of the present conscf 'tion of Alabama and declare the samey k5e void, because in conflict with the v Gastitution and laws of the United stsa.. the supreme laws of this country th.sX Is the duty
 (continued on seeond Nsue,