The New York herald., 1921-07-24
G. 0. P. ELIMINATES
NEGROES IN VIRGINIA
Blacks Are Denied Admission
! to Party Convention Held.
In Nxrfolk.
HOPE TO CARRY STATE
Leaders Believe That They Can
Swing Election and Gust
Democrats.
HOPE TO CARRY STATE

BpeosaI Despatch to THs NEW YoHK HmALp.
NoRyoLx. Va. July 23.-With strons
state ticket In the field and with the
negro eliminated. Virginia Republicans
are going to wage vigorous campaign
this Sear in tho hope Of putting the
Old Dominion In the ranks OF the
g. o. p.
The convention held in Norfolk last
week was probably the most interesting
ever held in Virginia by Republicans.
There was no mistaking the attitude Of
leaders toward the negro voters. They
were not wanted.
Negro delegates elected In various
parts Of the State were denied admis-
sion to the convention hall. Tho old
method of going over credentials. hear
ing contests and seating the delegation
that had the most pull was entirely
sidetracked. There were no contests
and no committees were named to hear
the sides of contesting delegations.
There were policemen at the door of
the convention hall and when negro
delegations showed up they were
turned away.
Among the negroes turned away was
J. M. Pollard Of Richmond. He Is o
leader among his race. He was can
d.date for the United States Senate
against Senator Carter Glass q year
ago. When he was turned away from
the convention hall by a policemen he
went to the Office Of an afternoon news
paper and declared the convention was
illegal He said negro Republicans
would hold their own convention in
Richmond In September. would name
their own ticket and appeal to the
courts for recognition.
White Delegates Called For.
It appears that the Republicans long
before the Norfolk convention had
planned to eliminate the negro from the
party in Virginia. The word was sent
down the line that only white delegates
were to be sent to the convention. The
word" did not reach Newport News
and Hampton in time. Three negro del
egates were elected in the latter place as
part OF the entire delegation from those
cities.
These three negroes were admitted to
the floor Of the convention. They could
not be sent away unless the entire white
delegation from Newport News and
Hampton was turned down.
Joseph Crupper. State chairman of the
Republican party, who presided at the
convention, when told Pollard had
threatened to call q convention of his
own in Richmond declared It would not
amount to anything.
Good. Let him call It." was Mr..
Crupper's comment
Henry w. Anderson. the Republican
nominee for Governor. was responsible
for The insertion Of negro plank In the
partys platform. No mention had been
made Of the race question in the original
draft OF platform, but Anderson insisted
that the matter be given attention. On
his suggestion the platform committee
inserted this plank to meet Mr.. Ander-
sons views:
Experience has shown that the deli
cate problems arising out OF the exist
cnce OF tie white and colored races In
Virginia cannot be solved by abstract
theories or by a policy of repression or
evasion. We believe that a candid ard
constructive policy founded upon justice
with due regard to the rights and svnsi-
bilities Of both races is essential to the
restoration and maintenance of free gov
ernment In Virginia and the safety Of
our civilization.
'The people Of each race have right
60 their own social organizations and
institutions but any social interming-
ling or mixture Of the races In Virginia
is impossible. The personal right and
social integrity Of each race must be
preserved and respected.
Every citizen. white or colored.
should support the party that most
nearly represents his personal opinions.
Political solidarity in either race II a
menace to free institutions.
Sees Chance Of Success.
c. Bascom Slemp, the only Republican
Representative in Congress from Vir-
ginia, declared at the convention that
his party has an excellent chance OF
success at the polls in the November
election. He declared there had been
an awakening Of the people and he be-
Iieved Republicans could carry the State.
Republican leaders in general were
of the opinion that with the negro
eliminated Democrats could no longer
say the Republican Party was the black
mans party.
with the Republicans denying negroes
the right to sit In party councils with
the white man, and the Democrats re-
fusing to permit them to take part In
thcir efrai-s the question asked by
many politicians OF both parties Is
Where will the negro go?''
II they form a party OF their own,
their influeace would not be great
enough to cndanger the success Of either
the Democrats or the Republicans. To
whichever party they throw their votes
that party would lie the loser. II the
Democrats catered to the negro they
would lose more votes than they would
gain by the accession of the negroes.
II the Republicans sought the negro
vote they too would lose any chance
Of winning white Democratic voters to
their standard.
Bid for Woman Vote.
The Republicans made strong bid