The Miami Times

Jackson Tricks Baptist Election for 5th Term

"Political" Maneuver Stampedes Convention

By ANP Staff Correspondent

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - One of the wildest demonstrations in Baptist history was witnessed here on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the afternoon session of the National Baptist Convention Inc., when President J. H. Jackson and his supporters by a shrewd, unexpected maneuver, had the convention's rules suspended, tenure of office overruled, resulting in Jackson's reelection by unanimous vote.

On Tuesday, when the board of directors met, it was reported that 80 percent of the members favored the Tenure amendment to the NBC Constitution, adopted in Chicago in 1952, and which provided that no president of that body could serve more than four consecutive terms. By the Jackson strategic move on Wednesday he was elected for a fifth term, and wild pandemonium broke out among the delegates (called Messengers) by church procedure, when the news was broadcast both inside and outside convention headquarters in City Armory.

CALL POLICE TO QUELL DISORDER

Police were called to quell the disturbance, highlighted by fisticuffs and the swinging of chairs and four arrests were made. one of them being the Rev. Charles C. Wheeler of Chicago. A number of shouting demonstrators were rushed outside the armory, where police ordered them to observe good Christian conduct or go to jail.

Many of the veteran newsmen covering the convention likened Dr. Jackson's coup to the steam-roller tactics at Elks Conventions a generation or so ago, when the grand exalted ruler J. Finley Wilson, with the aid of picked supporters, would stampede the convention during election of officers and thus perpetuate himself in office, always by "unanimous" vote.

TAKES "BADGE" AUTHORITY FROM JEMISON

One of the Messengers. interviewed, gave a short summary of the stirring incidents that led up to Dr. Jackson's reelection. He stated that the president had some 800 badges and credentials made in Chicago and distributed among his cohorts before leaving for Louisville. By so doing. Jackson rode rough-shod over J. T. Jemison, convention secretary, who, supposedly was the only one having authority to handle the badges

and credentials.

The Messenger also said that on Wednesday morning the Minutes of the previous meeting were read and the program for Wednesday announced. This announcement stated that the President's annual address would be delivered on Thursday to be followed by election of officers.

JACKSON OPPONENTS ENJOY "COFFEE BREAK"

Having heard the program announced for Thursday's session, most of the Messengers opposing Dr. Jackson took time out for luncheon or a "coffee break" at their hotel or in nearby restaurants.

Result was. that at the afternoon session Wednesday, when the anti-Jackson Messengers were relaxing and being refreshed, Jackson and his supporters called the meeting to order in what the anti's called a tricky, un-Christian move, put through a motion to suspend the rules, which "killed" Tenure, and the president was returned to office "by unanimous vote."

Later, said the Messenger interviewed, more than 500 of the anti-Jackson contingent met in fiery session at Chestnut Street Baptist Church, raised a considerable amount of money. and paid a re-tainer fee to Atty. James M. Maybrick. Atty. Maybrick w a s authorized to file for an injunction in Federal Court. enjoining President Jackson from holding office until the legality of his re-election is determined.

MESSENGERS THREATEN TO FORM NEW CONVENTION

Some of the Messengers present at the Chestnut church meeting openly declared that if Jackson is perpetuated in office, they will withdraw from the National Baptist Convention, Inc., and form a new church body.