New-York tribune., 1908-03-20
WANT NEGRO RESTORED
COUNTY COMMITTEE ACTS
Nesc York Republicans Pass Reso-
buttons for Innocent Soldiers.

The Republican County Committee unani-,
mousy passed resolution last night calling on
Congress for action looking to the reinstatement
| of innocent negro soldiers of the 25th Infantry
dismissed the order of the President The
resolution asks that the oath of discharged
soldier be accepted presunptive evidence OF
| his innocence
Gilchrist Stewart, the negro Republican leader,
old not call up his resolution laid on the table
| al the November meeting The one adopted
last night was new one framed by the execu-
tive committee yesterday and presented last
night by Collin H. Woodward 1t is as follows:
Whereas. In all the wars of the Repuniio hoor SOL
ssfs e nd of eoGf f2eoneT
| efficient and in our regular army the Colored d
favorabiv with the white in discipline, be-
hayor and conduct becoming soldiers; n ana an states
| Infantry was discharged without honor because
Vile. Tex. in August 1905. and the Committee
on Military Affairs of the United States senate
division of opinion among the Republican mem
Whereas The testimony taken before that
committee consists of several volumes. ana nnn .e
| tuniy TO study the same but IT appears from ON
all of Of e s6 saa ssd are and that
| guilt has been fastened upon no Individual;
Resolved. That this committee urges upon Con
meny faRen in regard to the said aray
| recommends that legislation oe enacted whereby
| are innocent may be re-enlisted without loss OF
paHeees panh e orghsiy Belonging to them and that
such legislation shall provide that the oatn OF
| evidence of his innocence and entitle him TO re-
enlistment forthwith: and
| Resolved. That copy Of these resolutions be
| sent by the secretary to the Republican Senator's
and Representatives of the State Of New York
Gilchrist Stewart said that he would leave the
passing of a Brownsville resolution to those who
/ mad experienced deathbed repentance with
reference to the need of doing justice to the
negro soldiers, >-a y
| TRIBUTE TO NEGRO TROOPS.
| Tax Commissioner Frank Raymond. a war
veteran. testified to the gallantry of negro sol
| diers at Fort Pillow and Petersburg, in the Civil
| War and at San Juan Hill, where. he said, the
| 9Th Cavalry showed superb courage while many
| OF the white soldiers We're cowardly.
| Il am glad that this committee has finally
made up its mind to do act of justice to the
| colored soldiers" said Mr.. Raymond NO mat
| ter how the thing has been brought about; no
! matter how 1t mas been wrung from the chair
| man of this committee to avoid division at
/ the primaries / am heartily glad that it has
| been done"
| Gichrist Stewart said that he supposed Mr.
| Woodward would be calling himself the
| original Brownsville man.
IF the gentleman thinks that his substitute
| resolution will fool the black voters he might
1 as well get the idea of his head at once"
| w. r. Davis, a 18th District negro. and rival
| of Stewart in the primary fight roasted Stewart
| for assuming to be the leader of negro Repub
| licans and said: Why, Stewart has about
much chance of going TO the Chicago conven-
| tion delegate bull in fiytime without
| tail. Neither s1r. Stewart. Mr.. Ransom of
the Bethel Church, nor any other colored leader
| can move the negro from his feeling of graf
| itude to the Republican party" said Davis, as
| tho oY1tir cl,ap
! The hard raps administered to Stewart did
| not suit the Stewart men. and John Newton
| Griggs. a young lawyer, also a negro, took up
| the cudgels for Stewart.
| A TART REPLY
| An empty barrel makes good deal of noise"
| said Griggs, looking down hard at Mr.. Davis
| You have heard great deal of noise. but there
| wasn't much substance TO it,
| Then Mr.. Griggs read letter from Senator
| Foraker warmly commencing Mr.. Stewart for
| his assistance in furnishing the Committee on
| Military Affairs with data After full oppor-
| tunity to thrash out the Brownsville issue the
| Woodward resolution adopted unanimously
| John Newton Griggs introduced a substitute
| for the report Of the committee on fraudulent
| practices at elections, OF which ex-Assembly-
| man Finch is chairman Mr.. Griggs wants
| law which will do away with personal registra-
| ton. In its place the eector is to submit to
| the Board of Elections his photograph with an
affidavit that the photograph is his own. and the
| photograph is be registered on the books
| alongside the electors name. After debate the
| Griggs resolution was referred to Mr.. Finch's
committee. with the understanding that 1t will
| be duly considered.
Ely Rosenberg, of the I'd Assembly District
| offered a resolution which was adopted request
| ing the Republican Congressman to ask for an
increase in all federal salaries of less than 200
| a year
President Parsons in the chair last night
and Representative Bennett took part in the
| proceedings.