Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1924-04-19
COOLIDGE REPUBLICAN
CLUB, 100 STRONG, IS
TO TOUR TO G. 0. ?.
CONVENTION IN OHIO

have already been practically perfect
ed, to augment the Massachusetts most
of rooters that will go to Cleveland IN
lime to cheer on the nomination OF
Calvin Coolidge at the Republican Nat
ional Convention. Reservations tor
balcony seats in Convention Hall have
bee nrequested from the National Com
mittee to accommodate the entire
party.
The Coolidge Club representatives
will be handed by DR.. Benjamin T.
Robinson of Boston, Republican leau-
er in Massachusetts, an alternate uele
gate to the convention, who, with Rop
ert M. Stevens of Pittsfield. are the
only two colored men who are seeking
places on the delegation. Both are III
Guided among the 80 aspirants whose
names will go on the ballot with the
endorsement of President Coolidge.
DIR Robinson who is chairman Oh
the executive committee of the Cool-
idge Club, will go on the Massachu'
sets Coolidge delegation from the lltn
Congressional District.
1t is planned that. through an early
start the members Of the club Will ar
rive in Cleveland sufficiently early TO
enable them to meet the special tram
of the Republican State Committee
and to act as escort for the ofhclal par
ty to the State headquarters. They
will also volunteer to hold the rlght-oi
line in all demonstrations and parades
of the Massachusetts visitors.
The Coolidge Republican Club Oh
Massachusetts is not an organization
Of recent sporadic growth, conceived
in the heyday of success of the Prest
dent, with the obvious purpose OF basK
ing in the limelight and seeking self
ish ACKNOWLEDGMENT from the reflected
glory of Mr.. Coolidge's ascendency
The club was organized in the dark
hours of the President Coolidge Club.
hours of the President when he then
Goxenor of the Commonwealth, in Sep
TENDER 1919 made his sturdy appeal
for "Law and Order" as he stood with
his back to the wall resolutely facing
the forces of rebellion and anarchy
which were threatening to sweep the
State.
Inspired by the stand of Calvin Cool
idge a handful of colored men, headed
by DR.. Benjamin f. Robinson, taking
as their slogan his ringing phrase
'Law and Order" brought into exist
ence the first organization founded in
the United States named in honor OF
the nina who is now President. To this
group of colored men must be accord
ed tire credit of having rallied to him
before his white compatriots had come
to visionize the true measure of his
greatness. Calvin Coolidge has not be
trayed the trust which these men i'm
posed in him.
Within few days after the initial
meeting incorporation papers were is
sued by the Secretary of State of Mas
sachusetts granting authority for the
use of the corporate name of "The Cool
idge Republican Club of Massachusetts
Incorporated
From a small beginning the CLUB
has prospered. Early in 1920 four
story, steam heated, brick building at
lis Dartmouth Street, Boston was pur
chased for permanent club house and
improved to meet the needs Of the or
ganization, with assembly hall and
smoking. lounging card and billiard
rooms The Coolidge Club today occu-
pies the unique position Of being the
only purely political body in Massa--
chusetts occupying headquarters stand
ing in it's own name.
Believing the advancement Of Calvin
Coolidge and the Republican party to
be of paramount Importance, and that
the attainment of these ends for super
seeded the mere building of the colored
voters into a body having an entity,
separate and distinct from q united Re
publican party, membership in the club
was thrown open to every Republican
regardless of color, creed or sex. The
sole requisite for membership is alleg'-
;ence to Republican principles.
That this action was eminently wise
is proven by the enthusiastic response
wrich has come from the white Repub
licans. Fealizing that the permanency
of effort was the foundation principle
of the club, and not temporary pre-elec
ton flurries of activity for purely self
ish ends, the Republican party leaders
without attempting 10 secure control
of the organization, have been of the
greatest assistance by wise and unself
ish advice and cooperation. Today the
club has large percentage of white
members who are doing their best for
it's advancement In addition, with an
astonishing growth Of confidence be-
tween the white and the colored mem
bers, has come a much wider recognlt-
ion of the colored men in politics
throughout the State of Massachusetts
The membership today is over 5000
with constant accessions to the mem
bership list.
Not only in Massachusetts, is the in
fluence of the club potent, but it pos
sesses a considerable active member
ship in many other states, especially
in the Southern and Middle sections.
AS the power and influence of Calvin
Coolidge has grown so the Coolidge
Club has followed pace until today as
Republican politics.
The President has always followed
the fortunes of the club which especial
and fatherly interest. At the last ann
ual dinner, when compelled to remain
in Washington through the press OF
business, he delegated his cousin, Hon.
Richard Coolidgs as his special repre-
sentative to address the members. III
many other ways he has been Of mater
ial assistance.
In addition to the President many
u =
both state wide and nationally, are