January 19, 1891

A meeting led by African-American leaders was held in Little Rock (Pulaski County) to protest a legislative bill known as the Tillman bill, proposed in January 1891, which required racially separate facilities on passenger coaches in railroad cars and waiting rooms and which provided for significant fines for anybody violating the provisions. The move was stimulated in part as a distraction by Democratic leaders against encroachment on their political and social dominance by a growing interest in groups such as Union Labor, agrarian, and populist organizations. About 600 people attended the meeting, which was addressed by prominent black professionals and businessmen.