21

THE AFRO-AMERICAN LEAGUE

STORMY SCENES AT THE CONVENTION.

The League Declares That Mrs. Sheedy Hired Monday McFarland to Assassinate John Sheedy.

And Expresses the Belief That There is a Conspiracy on Foot to Save Mrs. Sheedy at the Expense of the Negro.

The Colored People Protest.

The second day's proceedings of the convention of the Afro American League were not characterized by that harmony that was so conspicuous on the day previous. At one stage of the proceedings the debate waxed warm and serious split was threatened, but the wise counsel and calm logic of President Ricketts prevailed and harmony was restored again. The trouble began to brew when a Lincoln delegate who runs a barber shop arose and entered a protest because the league adopted a resolution discriminating against the race by refusing to shave their colored brethren. The forward brother was combed down for his temerity. This proceeding brought several delegates to their feet and a stormy scene ensued which lasted several minutes. Finally order was restored and the breach hatched up to the satisfaction of all.

A little ripple of excitement was caused when the grievance committee submitted a report declaring that Monday McFarland had been hired by Mary Sheedy to assassinate John Sheedy and that the committee believed his confession ot have been free and voluntary. This also appeared to be the opinion of the convention for the report was adopted by a unanimous vote.

Morning Session.

The convention was called to order at 10 o'clock yesterday morning by President Ricketts. The attendance was larger than on the previous day, and the interest was more pronounced. The proceedings were opened by Rev. John Turner by prayer.

The following members were appointed a committee to make an investigation of the Sheedy-McFarland case: Major Moore, Sam Westerfield, B. C. F. Alberts, J. H. Washington and Rev. Wilson of South Omaha.

President Rickets, M. L. Wilson, Rev. Dan Wilson, F. L. Barnett and Rev. John Turner were appointed a committee to wait upon Governor Thayer and deliver an address to him on behalf of the league.

Addresses were then made by Rev. John Turner, Lincoln; Rev. Parks of Nebraska City and Rev. Roundtree.

Afternoon Session

The Committee on resolutions made the following report which was adopted by a unanimous vote:

To the president and members of the Afro-American league, we, your committee on resolutions, beg leave to submit the following report:

Whereas, The negro in the United States is oppressed and hindered in his progress to a place of higher civilization and is debarred of many of the privileges granted to other citizens, both of native and foreign births, and

Whereas, The negro is denied many of the privileges and immunities granted him by the federal constitution, and

Whereas, The federal government is reluctant in the enforcement of the law and in protecting the negro in his rights, and

Whereas, It is incumbent upon the negro to combine his strength for the further advancement of his best interests by improving the moral, mental and financial status; and

Whereas, His future depends in a great measure upon his own exertions; and

Whereas, We believe it to be conducive to the negro's prosperity that he be more thoroughly distributed through out the United States, therefore be it

Resolved, That we, as a convention, take such steps as shall lead our race along the road of prosperity.

Resolved, That we combine with law abiding citizens of all nationalities in the enforcement of the law and in creating a public sentiment that will sustain public officials in the proper exercise of their duties in securing to all people those rights and privileges guaranteed to them by the law fo the land; and

Whereas, It is a fact that our young men and women are greatly discouraged and debarred from obtaining positions as clerks or of learning trades by the white man, therefore, be it

Resolved, That we recommend the formation of trades unions, commercial clubs, creating joint stock companies, that may establish business houses, stores or whatever business suitable to the locality they may deem appropriate.

Resolved further, that a committee consisting of one from each county represented be appointed to work during the ensuing year to perfect plans, recommended sites for conducting business, said committee to meet at any place or time they deem proper; and

Whereas, It is a fact that the vote of the Afro-American is the balance of power in this state, therefore we demand that in the future elections for the state that an Afro-American be places as a regular nominee for a state office not because of color but because it is just and right. Feeling confident, as we do, that every Afro-American will hold himself ready to aid the party whose principles are in accord with the best interests of the country, and who accede to our demands, we recommend the above to Afro-Americans of the municipal elections of the cities of Omaha and Lincoln; and be it further

Resolved, That no members of the Afro-American league be elected to any state office in the league that carry on or participates in business that deprives the recognition of the colored man or negro in receiving the same franchise as other free and respectable citizens.

Respectfully submitted, B. H. C. ALBERTS, REV. J. H. WILSON, W. W. Wade, SAMUEL GRANT, W. A. WIGGINGTON.

They Believe Monday's Congestion.

The grievance committee then submitted the following report:

To the President and Gentlemen of the Convention: We your special committee on grievance beg leave to submit the following report:

Whereas. In this city, the city that bears the name of that staunch warrior of human liberty, the man whose noble deeds have immortalized his name and time rendered it sacred, we are aware that within its jail walls is one Monday McFarland, charged with crime, viz: as the would be assassin of John Sheedy and

Whereas, We believe that Mary Sheedy, the wife of John Sheedy, is the real murderer of John Sheedy, and

Whereas, From the statements of the public press we believe that the public cannot be so dumb, so blind, as to not realize and know for a fact that the negro now on trial suffered himself to be bribed and allured into the terrible attempt to assassinate said John Sheedy for the hone of gain of $20,000; and

Whereas, We believe the confession made by Monday McFarland to be wholly voluntary and every whit true and

Whereas, We believe there is a conspiracy to make the negro a scapegoat and give immunity to the real murderer, therefore be it

Resolved, That we do most earnestly protest against all such unlawful, unreasonable and unfair trials. To do justice is to give the defendants a fair, impartial trial regardless of financial circumstances.

Major Moore. J. H. Washington. B. F. C. Alberts. S. T. Westerfield. J. H. Wilson.

The convention then proceeded to the election of officers.

Election of Officers.

Dr. M. O. Ricketts was re-elected president by acclamation.

B. F. C. Alberts of Lincoln was re-elected vice president by unanimous vote.

A. S. Barnett of Omaha was re-elected general secretary by acclamation.

W. A. Wigginton of Lincoln was elected corresponding secretary.

J. Smith of Blair was elected treasurer by acclamation.

Silas Robbins of Omaha was chosen attorney for the league.

Thomas Carnahan, Lincoln; E. R. Overall, Omaha; E. S. Rozzelle, South Omaha; J. H. Washington, Lincoln; G. W. Warren of Plattsmouth, W. T. Jones of Nebraska City, were elected members of the executive committee.

M. L Wilson of Omaha was re-elected chairman of the education committee with power to choose the remaining members of the committee.

On motion it was decided to form a ladies auxiliary to the league. Mrs. M. E. Palmer of Lincoln and Miss Jessie Marrian of Omaha were selected to prepare papers to be read before the league at its next meeting.

Omaha was chosen as the next meeting place of the league by a unanimous vote.

The following delegates were elected to the national convention to be held at Knoxville, Tenn: B. B. Walker, Omaha; Thomas Carnahan, Lincoln and A. S. Barnett.

The following resolution was adopted:

Whereas, In the providence of an all wise and omnipotent God, we have been blessed with health and strength to be able to assemble here upon the discharge of so great and important a duty as calls us together; therefore be it

Resolved, That we turn our most humble and sincere thanks to the giver of all good gifts.

Resolved, That we return our thanks to our president for the efficient manner in which he has presided over our deliberations:

Resolved, Last but not least that we return our heart thanks for the citizens for the hospitable manner in which they have cared for us and pray that God may bless them.

J. H. Wilson, B. F> C. Alberts.

The following is the committee on education: M. L Wilson. Omaha. [?]; Major Moore, W. A. Wiggenton, J. C. Elder, Mrs. M. E. Palmer, Lincoln W. T. Jones, Barnett Botts, Hames Richards, Charles Ennis, James [Bott-?] Nebraska City; Chaplain H. V. Plummer Fort Robinson; James Thomas, Fremont, J. W. Edwards, Aurora; E. G. Rozzelle, Rev. J. H. Wilson, South Omaha; W. R. Gamble, M. F. Singleton, James Bryant, Omaha; J. C. Craig, Hastings; H. C, Boone, Plattsmouth; Mr. Bennett Beatrice.

The convention then adjourned to meet in Omaha during the month of May 1892.

When baby was sick, we gave her Castoria. When she was a child, she cried for Castoria. When she became Miss, she cling to Castoria. When she had Children, she gave them Castoria.

Independent Politicians.

Hon. C. H. Van Wyck Made a brief speech last night in the Killer Block hall to a handful of spectators. He dwelt particularly upon the subject of hard times, which he said were caused by unequal distribution of wealth.

Ex-Governor David Butler spoke in the same strain and urged his heaters to come over into the independent damn.

C. E. Hall, state master of the range, spoke briefly. J. H. Craddock also made a short harangue, declaring that not a county officer in this county would go into office at the next election except by the independent vote. He said [?] good start had been made in that the labor vote had elected Mayor Weir and that officer belonged to them.

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