Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-02-07
NEGROES Want A SAY SO
Proceedings Of SGml.POlltlcal Confer.
enCe In Columbia.

Pf0ceQlDgS OF Scml.P0llIlcal C0Dlef.
enCe In Columbia.
LOOK TO POLITICAL REORGANIZATION
Matters Of Special Interest to the Race
Discussed, and One Leader Says
There Should be Representation on
the School Boards-WouId Like to
See Split in the Democratic Party.
Columbia State, Wednesday.
Negroes from all sections Of South
Carolina met in Columbia yesterday to
formulate the magma carta OF the
rights and aspirations Of the race to
blend with the new freedom and spirit
Of the reconstruction era.
The conference was only semi-polit-
ical in character. but allegiance to the
Union Republican party was reaffirm-
ed, with certain qualifications. The
leaders reserved the right to cast their
support to "any other political organ
ization that will give us the rights to
which we are entitled"
That the party in South Carolina
had disintegrated or at least was no
considerable factor on election days
was frankly admitted, but this was at
tributed partly to the spirit in which
the registration Laws in South Caro-
lima are executed and partly to the in
action of the party members. The
opening clause Of the preamble to the
resolution, embodying the ideals Of the
party, emphasizes,
"The conditions existing in the Un-
ion Republican party Of South Caro-
lima are such as to make its existence
almost negligible, brought about large
ly through the unjust, unfair and un-
lawful execution Of the election laws
of our state by the officers whose duty
it is to administer the law, together
with the lack of interest by the men,
bers Of the party to qualify themselves
to meet the test"
Want All to Register.
To prevent the continuance OF this
condition, every minister and leader OF
the race was urged to call upon the
masses to register and every county,
precinct and ward chairman Is to be
urged to form clubs and to take any
other measures looking to awakening
the masses to register in 1919.
The conference also placed much
emphasis on the question Of education.
BY unanimous consent committee Of
five, headed by Bishop Chappelle, will
wait on Governor Cooper at noon to-
day to urge negro representation on
all boards Of trustees.
Another committee will wait on the
railroad commission, to enter COM
plant against the railroad service to
which the negroes are subjected. I'll
was pointed out that the contention
was not against the Jim Crow" car
|3aRs The point IN argument was 81
COMPANION OF the conditions and the
quality Of service given, when both
white and black pay the same fares.
Not only are negroes cramped for
space, but the cars are often unsani-
tary and drinking my whites IL was
charged, was allowed in coaches set
apart for the negroes.
Wants Divided Party.
In reviewing the political situation
in the state, Bishop Chappelle said
there were thousands Of people in
South Carolina who wanted to see two
parties. Some Of these whose names
he mentioned were whites who were
anxiously awaiting the opportunity tol
break from the fold Of the Democrat
ic party and lead the negroes in polit- |
ical conquest. Allegiance to the Dem
ocratic party would be shaken by these
white politicians just as soon as these
somewhat unsubstantial regulations by
which negroes were disfranchised,
could be removed.
Chappelle was opposed to reaffrma-
ton of allegiance to the Union Repub- |
lican party without so modifying the
clause as not to offend the Democratic
party. What he was anxious to seel
was the negro welding the balance OF
power between the two riven factions
of Democrats. What I want to see Is |
the Democratic party divided" Chap
pelle said. II would be willing to fol-
low any one, even the old devil him
self part of the way, who could split
the Democratic party"
During the first session OF the con-
ference In the morning, there wasl
some debate as to the necessity OF fol-
lowing the leadership Of white men IN
the Republican party in South Caro-
lima, but R. H. Richardson OF WEDGE
aeld, vice chairman Of the state or
ganization Of the party and who ran
for congress on the Republican ticket
last summer, urged that no action pei
taken which would cross purposes
with the national organization. Thel
question was put to Richardson II he
had notified State Chairman Tolbert
of the meeting. He had. Then why
of the white men directing the party
was not Tolbert present Il am tired
and only coming around when the
plums are shaken down." the speaker
said.
There were some high diverting mo-
ments, not more than four eloquent
speeches being made simultaneously
to an audience of about SO people.
The resolution as to political af-
filiations was the product largely OF
J. I. Washington of Beaufort, assisted
by w. P. Carolina Of Georgetown, J.
A. King and J. W. Dawkins. The res
olution follows:
Adopt Resolution.
Whereas, the conditions existing In
the Union Republican party Of South
Carolina are such as to make its ex-
istence almost negligible, brought