The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-01-17
auSersolr yntel(igerttsr* :

auSersolt yl'tsl(lgenter.
Massachusetts Negro Legislators.
The public were astonished in Novem-
ber by the announcement that two full
blood negroes had been elected to the
Massachusetts Legislature. This body
has convened, and the most notable per-
sonagcs are the colored individuals afore-
said. A correspondent of the New York
Times, an enthusiastic negropholist, thus
describes the two new "colored members" )"
Edward Garrison Walker, by far the
most able man of the two, was nomina-
ted by the Republicans of Ward Three,
in Charlestown, but, on election day the
men of that partyin that city failed to
support him.. AT o'clock in the after
noon Of election day, it became apparent
that ho would not be elected. Tho polls
closed at o'clock, and he needed about
fifty votes to place him among the chosen
at 4 o'clock, and those fifty votes were
cast by members of the Democratic par
ty, which insured his election. lie is 8
lawyer of considerable ability, has an
extensive practice in Charlestown and in
Boston, and is extremely popular as a
man and an orator in the first named
city. He evinced warm interest in the
Fenian cause last June, which, doubtless,
gained him the Democratic votes. 1t is
stated that the latter party did as much
toward his election as the Republicans,
though he has always been identified
with and an exponent of the principles of
the latter. Mr.. Walker is q son Of that
Walker who more than thirty years ago
caused such an overwhelming excitement
in Charleston, South Carolina, by a PAM
Sphlet distinguished in the annals of anti
slavery warfare, and his son has been en-
ssbled to create q somewhat similar ex-
s.eitement in Charlestown, Massachusetts,
by being chosen o legislator. 1t was
made in good faith by the Republicans,
I. and that his chances of obtaining seat
in the halls of legislation were slim, and
the astopishment and excitement on the
evening when his election was declared
was great. He has studied we'll into the
great questions appertaining to our ma
tional welfare, is we'll informed on all
questions discussed at this day, and as an
orator he will have few equals in the
House. His arguments are clear, concise
and conclusive, and at one time during
tho campaign of 1865 saw him in eau
Gus in Charlestown deliver speech that
completely humiliated one of the most
prominent politicians of that city. The
latter accused q delegation (of which
I Walker was member) of not doing their
duty in Convention to which they were
sent, and Walker, in short speech, cow
cred him 80 completely that the politi-
clan 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 Gubernatori-
al chair or in Congress, and his chances
for either are good if he serves with cred
it his present term in the House, as he
has become extremely popular, more es-
.pecially since his election. Charles L.
Mitchell, the colored representative from
Ward Six, Boston, is a printer by trade,
and worthy, intelligent man, but is not
by any means so well qualified for his po-
sition as Mr.. Walker. The last named
represents the people irrespective of col
or, but the former was sent to appear for
the colored population of his ward, and
was lotysent on his individual merits, but
rather to represent minority Of the
party in that section of the city. The
colored men in that ward are numerous,
and have long desired representative, but
have heretofore always been divided on
the fitness of three or four OF their num-
Der for the position, and consequently
have not succeeded in electing anybody.
This time their wandering and divided
opinions were, it seoms, concentrated
they have been reconstructed" hence
tho result. Until his nomination Mitch
ell was not generally known in the city.
He was for many years an employee in
the Office of the Liberator, and during the
war enlisted as q private in the fifty-Gfth
Massachusetts regiment. He was rapidly
promoted for bravery and good conduct,
and was one of the very fow men who
served in Massachusetts colored regi-
ments who received commission as lieu
tenant. His friends claim that he will
make good representative, but time will
show whether or not they are right.
These two men could not have taken
their seats at period more favorable for
them than the present. The House is
made up almost exclusively of their
friends, by whom they were warmly well
coined.
GOSSIP WITH CoNrR1BIToRs-No notis
will be took-from this date hereafter
wards-ov letters that hain't got post
age stamp onto them.