§ 217 And the Point of Order Was Sustained
Back in 1890 George Clark, of Waco, and James S. Hogg, of Tyler, were candidates for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in Texas. At the convention, Hogg won.
Clark, the defeated aspirant, was not satisfied with the methods used to bring about his opponent’s nomination. He and some of his followers bolted the convention and he ran as an independent candidate. In this emergency, both he and Hogg sought the endorsement of the Republican organization.
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!”