The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-01-12
1.s.acnusstts- -colored BIembcrs.


colored Legislators were elected from
the city of CharIestown. When, d
few days ago, that body assembled
they made their appearance at the
bar of the House, were sworn in and
took their seats, meeting with q kind
and courteous reception at the hands
of their white colleagues AS this is
the first instance in the United
States, we believe, in which ''colored
members" have been elected to q
Legislative body, the extract below,
from the Boston correspondence OF a
prominent New York paper, in
reference to one of those now repre-
senting a Massachusetts constituency,
will interest the reader, and perhaps
convince him that ''thinys IS workin =
Edward Garrison Walker, by far
the most able man of the two, was
nominated by the Republicans of
Ward Three, in Charlestown, but on
election day the men Of that party in
the city failed to support him. At
two o'clock in the afternoon OF
election day. it became apparent that
he would not be elected. The polls
closed at four o'clock. and he needed
about fifty votes to place him among
the chosen at four o'clock, and those
fifty votes were cast by members of
the Democratic party, which insured
his election. He is lawyer of con
siderable ability, has an extensive
practice in Charlestown and in Bos-
ton, and is extremely popular as Il
man and an orator in the tirst-namcd
city. He cvinccd i warm interest in
the Fenian cause last June, which
doubtless gained him the Democratic
votes. 1t is stated that the latter
patty did rs much toward his eIec-
ton as the Republicans, though he
has always been identified with, and
an exponent of the principles OF the
latter. Mr.. Walker is son of that
Walker who more than thirty years
ago caused such an overwhelming
excitement in Charleston, South
Carolina, by a phamphlct distin-
guished in the annals OF unti-slavery
warfare, and his son has been enabled
to create q somewhat similar excite
ment i'll Charlestown, Massachusetts,
by being chosen q legislator. 1t was
thought that his nomination was not
made in good faith by the Rcpubli-
cans, and that his chances Of obtain
ing q seat i'll the halls OF legislation
were slim, and the astonislment and
excitement on the evening when his
election was declared, was great. He
has studied we'll into the great CUES
tions appertaiping to our national vel
fare, is well informed on all subjects
discussed at this day, and rs az orator
he viii have few equals in the House
His arguments are clear, concise and
conclusive, and at ono time during
the campaign OF 1868 / saw him in !.
caucus il CharlestoNn deliyera speech
that completely humiliatad one of
the most prominent politicians Of
that city. The hitter accused Il
delegation (of which Walker was u
member OF not doing their duty in
q Convention to which they were scnt,
and Walker, in short speech. cowel
him SO completely that the politician
was forced to beg his pardon before
the assemblage. a brilliant future
is predicted for Mr. Walker by his
friends, who hope to see him in the
Gubernatorial chair or in Congress,
and his chances for either are good
if he serves with credit his present
term in the House, as he has become
extremely popular, more especially
since his election.
4 TERRIBLE AFFAIR. The Jail at
kingstree, in this State, was totally
destroyed by fire on Monday night
last We learn that the fire had gained
so much Roadway before it was dis
covered, that its progress could not
be arrested. One white man only
was in the jail, at the time, and he
escaped, but twenty-five of the negro
prisoners (ninetcen males and three
females) perished in the flames. Their
shrieks and screams, rs they were
gradually shut of from Ill hope of
escape, were sickening to the helpless
spectators, and, with the kissing and
cracking of the flames, which seemed
to take a savage delight in their work,