Didn’t Organize

John Mitchell gave a speech regarding the upcoming presidential election.

Handbills were distributed throughout Jackson Ward, announcing that a meeting would be held Wednesday night at 8 o'clock, at New Odd Fellows Hall, 3rd street, for the purpose of organizing a campaign club.
To this call was attached the name of Mr. Jackson Acres as precinct chairman It was also announced that speeches would be made by Judge Edmond Waddill, Jr., and Col. James H. Brady.
Neither of these gentlemen put in an appearance, but at 8 o'clock Gen. Edgar Allen in company with Mr. N. J. Smith slowly walked over the hall swelling the numbers at that hour to about four persons.
At 9:15 p. m. by actual count there were 55 persons in the hall. Across the street at Editor Mitchell's residence, a crowd thronged. Chairs were provided and the passersby wondered what it all meant.
The meeting at the hall was spiritless and Mr. P. C. Corrigan from Newport News, Va., and another speaker from Portsmouth were mustered in to entertain those present. Now and then a cry was raised for Mitchell.
Finally Squire H. F. Jonathan moved that a committee be appointed to proceed to Mr. Mitchell's residence and invite him to come over and deliver an address. This was carried unanimously and Mr. Samuel S. Baker accompanied the Squire on his mission.
Across the street upon the arrival of the committee a hurried consultation was held and finally Mr. Mitchell decided to go. Two by two his friends followed. Hon John H. Smyth was speaking as he entered, but stated that he was only occupying the time until the committee returned. Mr. Mitchell urged him to proceed, but he yielded, and amidst great applause Mr. Mitchell spoke on the affairs in the district.
He declared that the district leaders had ignored the colored men, that the wages of from 50 cents, $1, and $1.50 per day for political work was out of the question
He showed that in Jackson Ward colored men in their contests for councilmanic elections paid $2 per day out of their own pockets. He declared that he was for McKinley, Hobart and Sound Currency.
He did not believe that the great leaders of the party would countenance such treatment. He dwelt at length with the customs prevailing among parties, and declared that it was not time to organize any campaign club in that precinct in accordance with Messrs. Allans and Waddill's wishes.
The editor spoke an hour and when he concluded, there was loud applause The house was solidly with him.
James Hayes, Esq., said he longed for an opportunity to follow Mr. Mitchell in his speech. He agreed with him thoroughly but thought he should practice what he preached.
Brother Hayes got no further. Cries of Mitchell were heard and confusion reigned. Editor Mitchell had left the hall at the conclusion of his remarks. In vain Mr. Hayes called for order, spoke of his black skin and abused the voters for not listening to "both sides." They would not hear and the meeting adjourned.
During the meeting, Mr. Aaron Dodson said that "those fellows are giving you the devil." whereupon Mr. Hayes struck him and Mr. Dodson choked Mr. Hayes and was about to strike him when friends interfered and the appearance of an officer caused peace to reign again in the land.

“Didn’t Organize,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed September 14, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1655.