Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-06-20
REMARKABLE SCENES
AT THE MEETING PLACE
Continued From Second Page.

correctly. the police officials who give
10 the police the orders that they
have received from those behind
them; the repeater constantly hobs
up; the thug is a familiar figure; in-I
timidation and force are prevalent
methods.
In point OF fact. the methods I'm
Texas and California. I'm Maine and
Louisiana are so similar as almost
20 awaken a belief that these politi-
clans compare notes and exchange
condolences and work throughout the
nation upon prccOncerted plans.
In the Fifth District OF Kentucky
for instance. IL might have been
''Spunk" Brown himself who led the
gang of repeaters that did as they
pleased. but elected a set of Taft DEL
egates 20 thu National Convention.
In the Second Texas district the Of
fee holders assumed charge. and ig-
nored absolutely the majority that
had control up 10 the time that or
ders were given 10 corral solid
delegation for Taft
In the Florida State Convention
every delegate selected was Federal
Office holder. and the Administration
men there did not take the trouble
TO notify the voters az large that a
convention was 10 be held.
The Sixth Kentucky is typical
the conditions there are repeated
through the pagGs OF scores Of briefs
submitted TO the convention by con
testants from all over the Union. In
this district IL was charged-and
there are afiidavits 20 back up every
charge made IN these contests-that
the Taft delegates were eleocd
through 'the grossly unfair, unlaw-
ful and infamous acts and omissions
of persons acting or assuming 10 act
as permanent chairmen ard the tel
lers OF the Ward and County Con-
ventions and who with other work
ers and supporters conspired 10 Sc
cure the election OF delegates TO the
District Convention favorable 90 their
side. through ballot-box stufhng. re-
peating.. intimidation. the improper
use Of the police. the use OF trans
parent ballots. the improper conduct
and coercion practised by "a large
number OF city and county officers
and employees. the unlawful procure
ment and permission of voting In
said conventions by Democrats, nom
residents. minors and others not en-
titled 20 vote"
This was not in New York UNDER
stand, but in the South
FREEDOM AT THE POLLS A JOKE
In Mississippi. the Federal Off
Gals took possession of the creden-
uals OF all the delegates. permitted
men whose seats were contested 10
vote in the Committee on Credentials
on their own cases, and ended by
holding a convention I'm rear room
at the door OF which a United States
Marshal kept out the regular dele
gates by hourishing his gun.
Instances like the above and the
others which have been cited abound
IN every section OF the country. 1t
Is q fact that must come to be- real
lied shortly that freedom al the
polls Is joke. 10 is a fact. which
must shortly be realized that. as
SpunN Brown recently declared
government by the people is a joke.
The people in n score of States did
not elect the delegates who will sit
at Chicago-nOt even the delegates
whose seats are not contested. These
briefs show that the Republican Ad-
ministration, working through its Of
nee holders, managed the primaries.
selected the delegates and ran the
conventions 10 suit themselves.
In Missouri gangs OF repeaters
like the Monk Eastman gang Off
ciated In Virginia the ofice-hold-
ers were in fun charge. and in North
Carolina condition OF affairs was
presented that Will tax the ingenuity
OF the Republican leaders 70 slide out
Of
The entire delegation from North |
Carolina went 10 the convention with
a contest and a blunt statement of !
the case in which no words are min |
ced. The Negroes OF North Carolina
claim that, representing more than |
two-thirds of the Republican voting
strength in the State, they were de- |
prived Of all participation in the con-
vention that selected delegates TO Chi !
cago. They serve final notice on
the Republican Party that they have
come 70 the parting of the ways.
Excited by the Brownsville affair.
indignant at the treatment that has
always been accorded Negro voters
by the Republican Party. these con
festents announce that they are go
ing TO Chicago for the final appeal
10 the Republican Party.
"You have flattered us. and load
ed us down with promises, - say they.
sa7d as often have ridden rough shod
over our rights. We now call for
showdown. and the several millions
of Negro voters all over the country
are looking at You and waiting for
your decision in our case. The del
egates who were elected in North Car
Dina no more represent the Repub-
lican sentiment of North Carolina
than would a convention of Demo-
Gratis. The real Republican voters
were not permitted 10 act Now.
gentlemen. what are you going to
do about it?"
Meanwhile the people who hope for
purer politics, for real reform. for
a return 10 the good old times when
the people shall really elect their re-
can only watch and
wait, and vote IL accordance with
what they see with their own eyes.
NORTH CAROLINA VOTERS DE-
PRIVED OF RIGHTS IN DEL
EGATE ELECTIONS.