New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-03-27
Perscnuci orshe Mississippi Legis-
Iature.

To the Editors oftIe Nep National Era:
The Pilot has seen fit TO animadyert rather
strongly upon my sketch of Lieut.. Governor
Bennett in the first number Of these series.
1t thinks my remark about Governor Ben
nett's feelings for carpet-baggers 'impoltic,
uncalled for, and untruthful"- from
its experience Of Governor Benefits sem
timents towards carpet baggers." The Pilot
has tried to make mountain out of mole
hill; and no one-not even "Uncle Joe"
himself-construed my sketch as the Pilot
did.
My information concerning Governor Ben
Nets sentiments in relation to carpet
baggers was obtained from his own lips. In
a discussion with him last fall lie compared
the expense Of the Southern States before
the war to what they are now, and very
wrongfully attributed it to the ''profligacy and
rascality of the Internal thieving carpet
baggerS who infest the South as the plaques
of Egypt" Those were Governor Benefits
words as near as l can remember. He was
then battling manfully for Greeley, and left
nothing undone to promote his cause. I did
not know that he had returned to the fold
when wrote my sketch of him, or would
certainly have given him credit for it. And
as soon as his vote was recorded in favor of
the civil rights bill, 1 took occasion to con.
graduate him on his return, and no one well
comes him back into the ranks more than l
do. In writing these sketches / state facts.
| nv. r ,,;n
besmear man with soft soap to win him
into the ranks Of our party. No one is more
DESTROYS Of Strengthening the party than l
am, but if facts and our record are not suf-
ficient to enlist the cooperation of men, why
we shall leave them until those facts are
made SO plain to them that they cannot do
otherwise than join us. "Uncie Joe" and l
are good friends, and if he is the man take
him to be, he would appreciate my just criti-
csms great deal more than the whitewash
of the Pilot.
In continuing my pasomels, let me give
brief sketch of
HON. JAMES IL. PILES,
of Pamela county. / am sorry to have no
memorandum near me of this subject, and
am compelled to write from an imperfect
knowledge. Mr.. Piles is a native of Ohio,
but came here in 1868. He was elected to
the Legislature in 1869, served on several of
the mort important committees, and chair
man Of one of them. lie takes an active
part in all matters of legislation, and carries
a great deal Of weight on the side he cnlists.
His course in our first Legislature
the reconstruction acts-gave perfect salts
faction to his constituents, and he was re-
turned in 1871 by an increased majority.
His experience Of four years as legislator
gives him great weight, and he now COM
mands an influence in the House second to
very few. In appearance, he exhibits a pre-
dominance of Indian blood. His hair is of
excellent quality, and hangs close to his era
mum! He has face which might be called
handsome, finely adorned with pair of large
black eyes, and a heavy black moustache.
He dresses in fine style, does not appear to
be more than yard and-a-half high, is a
graduate of the High School of Springfield,
Ohio, and doubtless is the best informed in
literature Of any Of the colored members.
If any one visits the House and remains
there half an hour he will be sure to hear the
shrill voice of
HON. ]. d. WEBSTER.
of Washington county. There is no use de-
nying the fact, Mr.. WIS great ambition is to
be leader in the House. But there are so
many who wish to be recognized as "lead.
ers," that it is difficult to decide who is the
real leader. The consequence is, that all of
them inform themselves as much as possible
on all matters coming up before them, and we
get good legislation. Mr.. w. has a good
mind, analyses subject carefully, and de-
tects flaw very quickly. When he speaks
he is very nervous, and his fore finger-which
is always outstretched, while the others are
| doubled up-trembles like a limb of tree be-
fore an angry wind. His lips also culver, and
| person can readily discover that his feelings
are worked up to high pitch. He is rather
tall in stature, brown complexion, has but.
| ting head, and pleasant countenance. He
is native of Virginia; came into the State
in 1869; was appointed Clerk of the Circuit
Court of Washington county by Governo,
Alcorn, and was elected to the Legislature in
1871. He served in the saith Massachusetts
regiment during the war, and was quarter.
master sergeant. He is a member of the ban
of Washington county; Chairman of the Com
mittee on Registration in the Legislature
and chairman of the subcommittee which was
recently appointed to investigate charges
against Judge Anderson.
1t is always pleasant task to write of one
to whom we feel somewhat attached, though
it may not be by intimate acquaintance. Blu
| the first time / saw
| HON. ]. II. JOHNSON,
of Desoto county, a feeling Of reverence ant
high regard rose in my bosom for him. II,
has dignified countenance, and nothin,
mean Is allowed shelter with him. He de
tests mean act and the person who does it
He weighs every man according to his merit
He was one of the war horses in antl-slayer,
times in Ohio, and an incessant laborer 70
twenty-five years in the holy cause. Scores
of men who escaped from slavery now bles
his name for the assistance he gave them II
their digit for freedom, and the proudes
! H. xFl L..