The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-07-23
VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS
BAR NEGRO DELEGATES.
State Convention at Norfolk
Draws Line And Elects All
But Three From Convention.

Norfolk. Va. July 21-The barring
of all but three of the Negro dele
gates and the decision to put out a
State ticket headed by Henry w. An
ginia State Republican convention here
last week. Despite the action of the
convention in barring the Negroes.
the sessions were orderly and every
thing passed off quietly.
The Negroes were barred on the
ground that they were not elected
and not duly accredited delegates un-
der the regulations of party organiza-
tion The three exceptions were two
delegates from Newport News and
credentials duly accredited and came
into the convention with the white
delegates elected in the same ward
meetings. They were seated by the
Credentials Committee
The inside story seems to be that
the Negro Republicans of the State
We're caught mapping by the white
Republicans. who for years have been
anxious to get rid of the Negro ele-
ment in the party, believing that it
was hindering the progress Of Re-
publicanism in the State. When the
State Chairman announced the date
for the State Convention the white
Republicans of all of the larger cities
the Ninth District, headed by Con-
gresham C. Bascom Slemp. quietly
called ward district and county con-
ventions, and named delegations to
white women. These delegations OBJ
tanned the accredited credentials prop
erly signed by city and county Chair
men.
When the Negro leaders of the
party learned what had been done they
Immediately called independent meet
ings in a number of the principal
cities. including Richmond. Norfolk,
n bnrp nd ID oanolra nd ad
all-Negro delegations. These delega-
tions. presented their credentials and
contested the seats of the white dele
cations. They lost out In the fight in
the Credentials Committee and the
convention sustained the action. eject
ing of all of these delegations The
three remaining on the floor, II seems,
Joined with the white Republicans
in the accredited meetings in New
port News and were named as dele
gates and they could not be barred.
The general impression among the
leaders of the convention and the Re-
publicans of the city is that II was
the wisest move ever made by the Re-
publican Party in the State. The feel
ing is strong that If the policy is ad-
hered to vigorously the party Will rap
idly grow in strength in Virginia. 1t
is pointed out that one of the great
drawbacks in the past has been the
practical domination of the party by
the Negro element. causing white men
Ol lHt oldle lnGliHtO AOMdIu iNtphbii-
can principles to refuse to align them
selves with the party.
John T. Adams, Chairman of the
Republican National Committee, sent
a letter that was read to the conven-
tion. He had intended to be present
but sent word that he had to remain
in Washington. In his communication
he invited Virginia to take the. role
of pilot in bringing the new South
into the harbor of Republicanlsm' and
declared that ION fundamental issues.
Virginia in sentiment is as strongly
Republican as Iowa. This State should
assume its rightful place in the coun-
ellis of the nation"
The leaders declared that they are
confident that the State ticket head
ed by Henry Anderson will mean one
Of the largest votes, ever polled in the
reconstruction days.
Democratic leaders merely smned
when told of the sentiment of the Re-
publican leaders and their hopes. and
declared that Virginia would be found
solidly Democratic in the State cleo
tion in the Fall,