New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-02-20

riers only, but this bill has been no more than
a dead letter on our statutes, as some OF our
leading colored men have never insisted upon
the rights which were guaranteed to them in
that bill. have often felt annoyed on going
! in our cars TO see some Of our must promi-
nent colored men occupying seats in dirty
and loud-smeliing car, set apart for colored
persons, when they had a perfect lisht-pro-
tected by the laws of our State--to ride in n
I first-class car. Senator Gray, of whom !
wrote in my last, never was satisfied with the
bill which gave us rights only in places OF
transportation, and has been, ever since the
State was at first reconstructed, an incessant
agitator for a more complete bill. And last
winter Hon. II. c. Carter introduced bill
covering the whole ground. That bill passed
both branches Of the Legislature. and when
il was returned to the House to be engrossed,
some white-livered scoundrel stole it. A
few days after the meeting Of this session Of
the Legislature, Mr.. Carter introduced a
similar bill, and it passed the House by a
strict party vote--excepting one weak Re-
publican. 1t Immediately went to the SEN
ate, and Senator A. T. Morgan, or Gray, so
amended Mr.. Carter's bill as to make it al
most complete substitute, much stronger
and in strict accordance with the consttu-
ton OF our State and that passed the Senate
bya strict party vOte-erery Republican voting
foc it. (And be it known, that even acting
Lieut.. Gov. Bennett, of whom wrote rather
sharply in my last, has returned to the fold
of the party, and voted aye on the bill.) And
on Thursday night last, Gov. Powers invited
all the members of the Legislature and many
other guests to the mansion, and after an APP
propriate and manly speech, said, "and now
my friends, here in the presence Of all of you,
on this, the 9Th day Of February, 1873. I take
great pleasure and supreme satisfaction in
signing this bill which gives full and equal
rights to all the citizens of our beloved State"
And amid the widest cheers he spread the
name Of "R. c. Powers, Governor" to the
bill.
Our people have also noticed with great
satisfaction the effort Of our worthy Senator,
HON. ADELBERT AAIEs,
in introducing a Civil Rights Bill for the
army. Gen. Ames knows what his constitu-
ents desire, and like true and faithful repre-
sentative he endeavors to carry out their
wishes. No one can point out solitary act
ofGen. Ames, that we know of, that has been
inimical to the interests of the Republican
party, or against the wishes Of the Republic
cans of the State. lie has home here in
the hearts Of the people, and his services are
properly appreciated. And now, after giving
you short history Of our civil rights business,
allow me to continue my personnel of the
Mississippi Legislature.
. l believe l closed my last on Senator
Bowles. l will now introduce to you
HON. WA. II. GIBBs,
who is not only one of the leading men in
the Senate, but one Of the leading men in the
State. Mr.. Gibbs, I believe, is native of
Illinois. He entered the army as private,
but was promoted to the position of Major.
He came into the State during the war, and
when mustered out settled in Wilkinson
county, where he now resides. He was ac-
lively engaged in the organization of the
Republican party in this State, was men,
Der of the Constitutional Convention, and
chairman of one or two of the most prom-
nent committees. He was elected Senator
from his district in 1869, and is now serving
out the last session of his term. He was one
of the electors at large during the last cam
paign, and did splendid service for the good
cause. In the Senate chamber he is looked
upon as one of the leading members
an eloquent and fluent speaker, and when
he rises all give an attentive ear. In
debate his perceptive faculties are in full
play, and not many points of his OPP
ponent are allowed to pass unnoticed.
There was only one speech that have ever
heard Senator Gibbs make that wish had
not heard, and that was at our State Con-
vention last May, to send delegates to the
Philadelphia Convention. At that time it
seemed as though he had to make an effort
to show the animal part of his otherwise good
nature. We do not believe, however, that
he was in earnest then, as he was laboring
under sad disappointment, and spoke alto
geeler under such feeling.
In appearance Mr.. Gibbs is pure speci-
men of a Yankee. Tall, slender, pale blue
eyes, Roman nose, light hair, rather fine
looking, and with mouth which seems al
ways ready to be used for any cause in which
he is enlisted. And now, after leaving SEN
ator Gibbs, let me give you brief descrip-
ton of
HON. CIIAs. CALDWELL.
And here you have large, robust, hale,
hearty, and as genial a soul as you have ever
met. A native and to the manor born.
Mr.. Caldwell is another of our colored Sena-
tors, and represents Kinds (the county in
which the capitol is situated) and Rankin
counties. He has never enjoyed any more
educational advantages than this State af-
forded before the war, but deserves great
credit for the progress he has since made.
believe he was a member of the Constitu-
tional Convention, took an active part in the
reconstruction Of the State, was elected Sem
ator in 1869, and fills prominent part in all
matters which come before the Senate. He
has sonorous voice, and makes fighting
gestures. He is brown in complexion, with
loose hair, wears a moustache which is about
as well cultivated as cotton is in Yankee
hut hoe u