New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-04-03
Personnel OF the Mississippi LegIs-
IatWrc.


Whenever sit to sketch the various men,
hers Of the Legislature it kindles within me
warm feeling for the many good qualities
and earnest friendship Of all of them. Tax.
ing them as a whole, nobler set OF men
cannot be found in any Legislature in the
country, and do not believe any Legisla-
lure gives TO their State better laws than ours
DO to our State. No gigantic schemes, no
robbery, and consequently no Credit Mo-
bilier Investigations are carried on among us.
In the northern part Of the hall Of the
House sits rather handsome member in the
person of
non. JAS. NJ. DIXON.
q AGO county. lie is q qIadroon, and
bears the style o: an aristocratic Southerner
in his carriage lie is finely shaped, medium
size. and exhibits superior training IN ms m
tercoursc with other persons. lie is native
Of North Carolina, but was brought here as a
slave by his master III 1919. His parents
died when he was quite Young, and though
slaves as a general thing never did feel that
their parents would remain with them until
death separated them, vet Mr.. Dixon felt the
loss Of his most keenly, lad though he was
at their death. re never enjoyed the adyan-
iagc Of school privileges, but has acquired
fair degree Of education through efforts of his
own. When quite youth lac was bound out
10 serve a term Of years al the carpenters
trade, and was turned ont as one of the best
woIkmen l..~ employer ever Lad. He is now,
however, a minister in connection with the
Methodist Episcopal Church. When Gen.
Ames Wa Provisional Governor of the State
he appointed Mr.. Dixon on the Board Of Su.
veryisors of His county, and when Gov. Al
corn came into Office hc appointed him as one
ii the Justices Of the Peace Of his county.
He filled both OF these positions with great
credit, and gave satisfaction 10 all parties.
In ISL he va, elected L. tEe legislature,
and be take, "A deep interest in all matters
coming before that body. He serves On the
Committee on Executive Contingent Fund
and State Library.
He is fine, mild gentleman, but finds it
hard work to keep quiet in the gay and Jolly
set Of gents. by whom he IS surrounded at his
boarding house. lie is held in high esteem
in his county, and long NAV he live TO do
honor TO good old Yazoo.
To continue the same train Of thought
which | had in sketching my friend Mr.
DIXON, / must mention next
non. II. NJ. FOLEY,
Of Wilkinson county. Mr.. Foley is Il native
Of the county he represents. lie was born
free, and enjoyed much better educational
advantages than those who were otherwise
situated. In. 1866 he was employed as a
teacher under the auspices of the Freed
mems Bureau, and performed said service
satisfactorily.
Immediately after the passage Of the re-
construction acts he engaged actively in the
campaign in this State to reconstruct her on
q firm basis Of freedom for all men. He
brayed many dangers during those terribly
exciting times, but feeling that our cause was
Just, and that the future destiny of our pco-
pie depended in a large measure upon the
reconstruction acts, no duty was too burden
some for him to perform, no sacrifice too
great for him to make, and right manfully did
he battle for our glorious cause. When Gen.
Amcs became Provisional Governor Of the
State he appointed him as member of the
Board OF Supervisors Of his county, and his
labors in that capacity gave satisfaction to
all parties. At the first election after the
reconstruction acts he was elected to the
Legislature, reelected in 1871, and is now
serving at a fourth session. lie is looked
upon as one Of the strictly honest members
Of the House around whose skirts not a par
ticle Of corruption ever hangs. He was or
dained as a minister Of the gospel in 1860,
and now has charge of several churches.
In appearance he exhibits good degree of
Indian blood, wears long, black hair slightly
waved, has nose enough for two men, rather
thin face, but on the whole prepossessing
looking man.
some Oh our members have told me that ii
do not cease dropping in Joke on them,
they Will write me up with nothing else but
such telling Jokes as Representative Sullivan
can get of. / must confess that would not
care to get him after me, but the boys know
that it is only done by way Of a little season
ing.
No one can enter the House without see.
.ng little fellow who lie ALWAYS busy at
romething in the person OF
noN. JAS. ). sPELMAN,
oi Madison county. Here YOU have one,
who, the moment you speak 10 him, lac closes
his eyes and shows his teeth. lie came into
the state in lsGS and engaged in teaching
but did not continue long in that occupation.
1t would take whole letter TO give YOU a
list Of the different positions lac has held,
with comments On each one, for the last five
years; SO will merely state them without
remarks They are as follows: Commissioner
Of Election in 1865; Justice Of the Peace
in 1860; Alderman Of the city of Canton in
1869; Assistant Assessor Of Internal Reve.
hue in 1869; assistant editor OF the Col
cred Citizen Of this State in 1869; was elected
10 the Legislature in 1860; was candidate
for the United States Senate against Reyels
in 1870; was reelected to the Legislature
in 1870; was appointed Abide Camp, with the
rank OF Lieutenant Colonel, In 1871; was
promoted to the rank Of Colonel In 1871 ;
was appointed one Of the Trnst ees Of Alcorp