DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - NEWSPAPERS - The Washington Post, January 21, 1896, pg. 4 ----¤¤¤---- This file is part of the DCGenWeb Archives Project: http://www.usgwarchives.net/dc/dcfiles.htm ********************************************* http://www.usgwarchives.net/dc/dcfiles.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************* Contributed to The USGenWeb Archives Project by: Jamie M. Perez (jamiemac@flash.net) --------------------------------------------------- [NOTE: This article includes great head sketches of the following candidates: Myron M. Parker, Andrew Gleeson, Perry H. Carson, L. C. Bailey, Robert H. Key, M. M. Holland, W. F. Thomas, H. A. Davis.] The Washington Post, January 21, 1896, pg. 4 A GALAXY OF LEADERS Republicans Who Aspire to Represent the District. THE CAMPAIGN AT ITS HEIGHT Voters of the District May Choose Between Such Racial Combinations as Carson and Parker, Gleeson and Bailey, Saunders and Key, Nauck and Brooks, or Such Mavericks as Col. M. M. Holland, Charles J. Ortlip, or Aaron Bradshaw. As the day for holding the Republican primaries approaches the greatest activity is being exerted on the part of the respective candidates and their lieutenants. Sections of the city where the voting population mostly reside, are being lightly invaded. Kid gloves and white shirts have never been seen in some of these localities until this campaign, and as the candidates drive through some of the mean, sordid, and diminutive localities, the inhabitants rush out in the habiliments of their poverty and gaze in wonder. The candidates have headquarters in different sections of the city, and daily these places are frequented with all specimens of humanity. There is the man with a sick child, another whose house rent is due, and he is about to be dispossessed, another in need of shoes or wearing apparel, and still another who wants money to pay for the rent of a hall and the “refreshments” for boys for some mass meeting. This is the gauntlet that any man has to run who is an aspirant to represent the District in the National Republican Convention. Visitors to the city of Washington in former years used to ask for Frederick Douglas. Since the demise of that representative of his race the first inquiry is as to the whereabouts of Perry Carson. Carson is known from one end of the country to the other, and among his acquaintances are some of the ablest and most representative men in both political parties. His tall and commanding person is well known to all the inhabitants of the District, and every one always has a hearty “good morning” for Perry. He has represented the Republicans of the District three times as delegate, and his followers declare that he has a lead pipe cinch on the honor for the fourth time. Of course there are some who think differently, and Col. Carson has on his hands the fight of his life. The “redoubtable Colonel,” as he has been dubbed, is a Marylander by birth, but came to this city soon after the war. In the earlier struggles of the colored people of the District to secure in some measure the maintenance of their rights, the Colonel took a conspicuous part, and since that time he has been among the foremost in laboring for the amelioration of the condition of his people. He never enjoyed educational advantages, but, as one of his lieutenants put it, “he has done what he could.” He has brought to his support many warm-hearted friends and loyal supporters, who declare that they will go down to the last ditch with the colonel in this fight. The Colonel is an ardent Republican, and the leaders of the Republican Party and the members of the National Republican Party and the members of the National Republican Committee, of which he is a member, have abiding confidence in the political sagacity of Mr. Carson. He has their sympathy, and before the contest is over they will give substantial evidence of it. The Colonel has been making an aggressive canvass; he has carried the war into Africa, and has tented on the camping ground of his opponents. Wherever he has gone there have been strong demonstrations of the esteem in which he is held by the “common people.” The intelligent colored people here are making what they are pleased to call “an effort” to retire the Colonel, as they claim that he represents the worst element of the colored race in the District, and that the race in the District, and that the race has progressed beyond Col. Carson’s ability to represent it. The Colonel declares that he is not nervous over the situation, and that he will have a walkover on the day of election. Col. Myron M. Parker will be on the Carson ticket on the day of the primaries and Carson hopes to pull him through. Mr. Parker is not a “mixer,” and so far has not appeared at any of the meetings. Mr. Parker is engaged in the real estate business and has a large clientele. He is one of the District’s most substantial business men, and has occupied the office of District Commissioner with the utmost credit to himself, retiring there-from on account of his ill-health. He is a man of great public spirit, and as a member of the Board of Trade has been instrumental in forwarding many of the projects of that body for the welfare of the city and the creation of greater Washington. He was appointed by Chairman Carter a member of the board of commissioners which will certify to the election of the delegates from this District to the National Convention. There are many political wiseacres who say that so far as the white delegates are concerned the fight is between Loring M. Saunders and Andrew Gleeson. Mr. Saunders like Mr. Parker, is a real estate dealer and banker. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Ohio National Bank, and since his appearance in the political arena he has won for himself a host of friends. He has attended nearly all of the meetings that have been held, and his calm and impartial discussion of the issues that confront the Republicans here has been well received. Mr. Saunders is a New Yorker by birth, and after securing an education in the public schools of Northern New York, he came to this city. Since that time his progress has been rapid, and he is to-day one of the city’s most wealthy men. He was educated in law at Columbian College, and having graduated with honors, he entered upon the practice of his profession in this city. He practiced law until ’81, when he entered the real estate and banking business. He became a director in the Ohio National Bank in ’91, the time of its organization, and has served as Vice President of that institution. Mr. Saunders has also been the Treasurer of the Eckington Street Railroad; Treasurer and director of the Washington National Building and Loan Association. He has pledged himself, if elected, to devote his time to remedying the needs of the people of the District. In the contest between the colored candidates, the fight is between Col. Carson and L. C. Bailey, the Treasurer of the Capital Savings Bank. Mr. Bailey is one of the wealthiest colored men in the District, and is reported to be worth $150,000. He made his money principally out of the barber business, and still operates several large shops in the city. Mr. Bailey was born in the District. He is a member of the Berean Baptist Church, the aristocratic colored Baptist congregation, and has given substantial aid to many of the business institutions. He is a friend of the poor, and many denizens of the allies and courts of the city can testify to his hospitality. Mr. Andrew Gleeson delayed until last week to make his debut in this political fight, but he has developed surprising strength. In his home district, where he first made his appearance, he was given an ovation. He has appeared at other meetings, and has been enthusiastically received. He has declared for T. B. Reed for the Presidency. Gleeson was a great admirer of James G. Blaine, and each time that he was sent to the National Convention he cast his lot with the “Plumed Knight.” Gleeson believes that Blaine’s mantle has fallen on Reed, and he is now whooping it up for the “man from Maine.” Mr. Gleeson is a big-hearted Irishman and everybody knows “Andy.” He is the friend of all classes. As he said on Thursday evening, he has given more employment to laborers than any other contractor in the District. Mr. Gleeson has a very accomplished daughter in the person of Miss Ellen B. Gleeson. She is a politician, and does her father’s correspondence. She thinks that her father ought to win, and expresses herself as being confident of his success. Miss Gleeson believes also in woman suffrage, and says that some day she hopes to go as a delegate from the District herself. Robert H. Key, of South Washington, is the young men’s and the colored laboring men’s candidate. He possesses much strength in the southwest, in the Northeastern section of the city, and in Georgetown. If the young men can muster sufficient strength Key will be a winner. Mr. Key is also one of the well-to-do men of the colored race, and besides operating several places of business is the treasurer of the National Steamboat Company. Col. M. M. Holland, C. J. Ortlip, and Aaron Bradshaw are the other candidates. Their friends are going down with them if they go down, or if they are successful, will “jubilate” with them. For the position of alternates H. A. Davis, an intelligent young colored man, and W. F. Thomas, a young white man, have been most prominent. Both of these young men are working untirely for their success, and it looks as if they will have a walk-over. Mr. Davis, like Mr. Bailey, is a barber, and he has a host of friends in both races, who are pledging him their support. Mr. Davis is a Virginia boy by birth, and is one of the progressive men of the colored race. Mr. W. F. Thomas, the white candidate for alternate, is well known in business circles of the city. Mr. Thomas has done newspaper work, and has held important positions in some of the large banking institutions. He conducts a coal yard on Fourteenth and P streets, and gives employment to a large number of colored men. Mr. Thomas comes from an old line of Republicans. He has been attending most of the meetings and has been given a cordial welcome. “Young Thomas” is full of pluck and energy. He was born in Maryland and was educated at Spencerian Business College. LAST NIGHT’S MEETINGS. Political Argument and Philippie on a Dozen Platforms. It was supposed to be a Parker-Carson meeting, held last evening at Mount Pisgah Church, but it closed in the midst of clamor for Bradshaw, the chairman of the central committee. The fickle crowd, which had been swayed in their admiration for one candidate after another as their henchmen enumerated their merits, just as quickly bestowed their favor upon the above-mentioned candidate when he got up to speak. The meeting was all for Carson and Parker in the first two hours, and there was general good order. Joseph Ambush, President of the Parker-Carson Republican Club, under whose auspices the meeting was held, presided. John Bell advocated Carson’s claims in stentorian tones, and R. S. Fletcher, a white man, spoke briefly for Col. Parker. F. D. Lee also had good words for both Carson and Parker. Lawyer Thomas L. Jones advocated Col. Saunders. Then Aaron Bradshaw rose. Said he: “You’ve all heard of me. I am Bradshaw. I have been intimately connected with the Republican Party in this District ever since the war. I have fought for its principles, and I have participated in its conquests. Look at your histories. If you don’t find my name on every page on which is mentioned the Republican Party, you can count me out of the race.” “Hurrah for Bradshaw!” shouted an enthusiast, who had a moment before been whooping for Saunders. Bradshaw’s remarks were liberally punctuated with applause. When the chairman said Bradshaw’s time was up the crowd would not have it, and there was chaos for ten minutes. Finally he was allowed five minutes more, and when he announced that he had secured the appointment of the first negro policeman on the force, the enthusiasm of the crowd knew no bounds. They wouldn’t let the chair sit him down. “He shan’t speak any more,” shouted Ambush. “I’ll adjourn the meeting first,” and the lights were suddenly put out. The citizens of the Twentieth District met at Geary’s Hall, Jacob Waters presiding. The object of the meeting was to indorse L. C. Bailey and Andrew Gleeson. The speakers were Mr. Horner, Fred Dyson, Samuel Jones, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Barker. R. H. Key made a short speech, booming his own candidacy. At a meeting of citizens of the Seventeenth District, at 314 E street southwest, last evening, a Republican Club was organized, to be known as the Bailey and Gleeson Campaign Club. The following officers were elected: W. H. James, President; J. C. Lee, Vice President; George R. Haywood, Secretary; James Washington, Sergeant-at-arms. Executive: Samuel Jones, Chairman; Charles Page, James Payne, A. B. Jones, W. H. James. The Republicans of Tennallytown, in the Second District, held a large meeting last night, and were addressed by Mr. L. M. Saunders, R. P. Searcy, Lawyer Thomas L. Jones, and others, and passed resolutions, indorsing Mr. Saunders and Mr. Bailey as the delegates to the National Convention. The Republicans of the Twenty-second District met at 405 Thirteenth street southeast, last night. William H. Brooker presided. James W. Poe, the first speaker, paid a glowing tribute to Col. Perry Carson. Aaron Bradshaw paid his respects to Saunders and Parker, and then presented his own claim. He was loudly cheered. The Republicans of the Ninth District met in the office of the Bee last evening for the purpose of organizing a club and making arrangements for a monster mass meeting for next Monday night at the Armory of the Washington Cadets. W. Calvin Chase was elected President and Charles Simons Secretary. A committee consisting of Frank Hill, James Churchill, and Amos Cartwright was appointed to make all the necessary arrangements for the mass meeting next Monday night. A rumor was in circulation that Col. Myron M. Parker had informed some of his friends that at the meeting of the supervisors of the primaries which it is supposed will be held to-morrow, he will announce his withdrawal from the contest. Another story that went the rounds was that Col. Saunders and Andrew Gleeson had had an understanding, whereby Mr. Saunders was to withdraw from the flight and throw his influence on the Gleeson side, with the understanding that Mr. Gleeson would see to it that Mr. Saunders was made the member of the National Committee for the District of Columbia. None of Mr. Gleeson’s or Mr. Saunders’ friends would affirm or deny the rumor, and accordingly some credence was given to it.