In 1890 the Republican party in Texas was even more of a minority party than it is to-day. Its leaders mainly were white men, but the rank and file overwhelmingly was black; so that when the Republican state convention met at Fort Worth the delegates nearly all were negroes.
The Clark people controlled the preliminary organization. The temporary chairman called upon the Reverend Sin Killer Griffin to open the proceedings with prayer. Sin Killer was a famous revivalist hailing from near the border between Texas and Arkansas. He was fat and black and had a mighty voice. In thunderous tones he invoked the blessings of the Almighty upon the assemblage. And just before he concluded, he roared out these words:
“An’ finally, Oh Lawd, bless thy sarvant, George Clark, an’ mek ’im gov’ner of de great state of Texas.” Instantly a roar of mingled protest and approbation arose. The tumult continued for several minutes. Finally down in the body of the hall a bullvoiced black politician obtained recognition from the presiding officer.
“Mista’ Cheerman!” he shouted, “I teks de floor to mek a motion: I moves dat de name of George Clark be oxpunged from dat air prayer an’ dat de name of de Honor’ble Jeemses Stephens Hogg be substituted therefur.”
The Sin Killer was still upon his feet.
“Mista’ Cheerman,” he proclaimed, “I speaks to a p’int of order.”
“State the point of order.”
“De genelman’s motion is pintedly out of awder fur de reason dat de prayer in question done went to Heaven more’n five minutes ago!”
§ 218 The Light That Lies in Bankers’ Eyes
This offering has to do with a leading financier of a Middle Western city—a gentleman renowned for his personal vanity as well as for his cold-blooded sagacity in financial matters. The gentleman in question had a glass eye; but, so well did it match its fellow, that it was a point of pride with the owner that no one, lacking full information on the subject, could tell at a glance the artificial from the real one. His name was Oliver. One day, a citizen of the community, who was a chronic borrower, emerged from Mr. Oliver’s bank after an unsuccessful effort to negotiate a loan, and on the sidewalk met a friend.