New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-02-13

| VOL. Iv.-NO. 6.}
found out that he was exonerated by hi
fellow-Senators from all blame I intende,
making this correction before, but had for
gotten it.
Let me lead you little to the right o
Mr.. Mygatt's seat, to that Of Senator
WILLIAM GRAY.
And here you have one Of our colored Sena
tors from Washington and Issaquena coun
ties. Mr.. Gray was, like my other two sub
| jeets, elected in 1869. He is, / believe, q
I Iennesseean by birth, came to this State in
1868, was ordained Baptist minister shortly
after, and, like all the loyal ministers in those
eventful years, did his level best from the
pulpit, rs well as from the stump, to recon
struct the State upon q proper basis. He has
been fighting for civil rights for his race in
the State from the moment he took his seat
| in the Senate until this day. And he is now
| the chairman Of the committee to which this
bill is referred in the Senate, it having passed
the House on Wednesday last. He has
been the most persistent advocate OF this
measure Of any member Of the Legislature,
and We trust he will close his present term
with the proud satisfaction of knowing that
his labors are crowned with success.
Mr.. Gray is a man much below the ordinary
stature Of men, dark brown complexion, with
quick and active step. He can get on his
feet as quickly as a squirrel can leap from
limb to limb on tree, and with mouthpiece
al.coys ready for a word. When he opens
his mouth to speak, his eyelids are drawn to-
gether in a nervous manner, and if he speaks
in retaliation, he slashes without mercy or
regard. lie stands very high in the estima-
ton Of his constituents, and I do not doubt
but that he will be returned to the Senate
next fall, if he wishes to. From Senator
Gray's seat let me take you to that Of Senator
A. T. MORGAN.
And here you have a man who has ideas Of
his own and whenever he thinks they are
night, he will harbor them, though all man
kind opposes him. Mr.. Morgan is a native
of Ohio, enlisted in the army of the Union at
but was rapidly promoted, 1 believe, to the
position of Colonel. He was elected Senator
from Yazoo county in 1869, and battles
bravely for Republican principles. He is al
ways among the pioneers of the Republican
party, and any measure which is brought up
from which the colored man is to be bene-
flied, you can safely depend upon the earn
est and incessant support of Senator Morgan.
He is a man rather tall, with rather thin
and care-worn face, but nicely fringed with
side whiskers. His eyes set rather deep, and
whenever he smiles, he gives most pleasant,
agreeable, and welcome countenance. 1t is
always peculiar pleasure to me to take him
by the hand and get one of his smiles which
tighten up every feature of his face. He
wears his hair thrown loosely back from his
forehead, and walks with an accurate mill
tary step. From Senator Morgan's seat let
me take you to that of Senator
c. N. BowLEs,
who represents Bolivar and Coahoma coun-
ties. And here you have another of our act
i've colorcd Senators. Senator Bowles is a
native of Virginia, but lived in Cleveland,
Ohio, for several years. He is man of fine
education, and fills positions on some of the
most important committees in the Senate. l
have never heard him in a discussion, so l
cannot give you an item of his gift of CAB"
He is man of about thirty-three years of
age, but needs a better-half to bring him
down to the land of steady habits. Ibelieve
he is the jolliest member of the Senate; al
ways ready for good healthy sport, and will
do anything to contribute to the frolc and
consequent enjoyment of his friends. While
our party were at his home during the cam
vass last fall, he, Col. Bruce, and Captain
Florey, made the most deserted-looking
place we have ever been to blossom like a
rose, and contributed SO much to our enjoy
ment and pleasure that we were 10th to leave
the place. Mr.. Bowles is man of ordinary
size, wears whiskers on his face about as
thick as corn would grow on quicksand hill
gives you good hearty grasp of the hand
when he takes it, and when he stands, FIVE
year-Old boy can walk between the curve of
his legs without touching them.
As my space seems to be more than taken
up, must defer further sketches TO my next.
CIvIs.