The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1910-02-24
Florida ......... .
Attorney ! I J | n
WINS RECOGNITIONi IN HIS PRO.
$ FESS1ON BY. HONESTY AND. u
- q ABILITY.
Taught; Russians
English While Engaged as Special
Messenger to Witte During Ports
mouth Pence Conference and Leap
ed into Prominence. Z,
VOLUME sIX
Geo. F. King.)


Jacksonville, Fla, Feb. 22.-The
anathema of a certain class of Amerl-
can citizens who have endeavored to
restrict the natural llmitat tions Of the
developing powers -Negroesrhas
been more keenly felt by a certain
element Of professional people of the
race than other individuals Of the
same race especially qualified to be
known as members of the profession
III clan.
The procedure of the race hater in
the realm that requires scholastic
attainments and mastering Of juris-
prudence, against a person Of Negroid
identity who is qualified to act and
demand the rights guaranteed every
citizen, has in a marked degree had
disheartening effect upon those en-
tering the field Of American juris-
prudence in certain sections of the
country, and those who would by: a.
spirit that impels every Afro-Ameri-
can possessing race pride give their
legal work to colored lawyer.
This condition has operated against
IL
many. ways. A 'barrister Of any other
race, as a rude docs not take the bus
mess phase OF his Afro-American
client into consideration to the extent
that it will add to his prestige in the
business world. He does not to q
fair degree mai the Negro CONNER
cially equal to his adaptibility in the
affairs Of the world
This branch of the professions en-
gagged In blythe Negro is essential, ab-
solutely SO, for the maintenance Of all
the American Negro. --. .
These conditions require the very
best training! that, the American fRsti-'
tutions Of learning can impart to the
young men, and women Of the race
who ar q aastin lf of fsssi ienB. Ses4G
Eac1ally that OF law: j.. =" - '...
A Negro youth residing in the town.
OF Sanford, Florida, during the year
OF 1897 felt~that In future years he
could become an eminent pr2cticion-
sr Of law. He saw the necessity of
receiving. the very best training in
order to make his inspiration become
an achievement. Being fatherless,
and breadwinner for his mother, he
was so financially prescribed that his
efforts to gain the elementary prepa-
ration in the schools of his town was
struggle that was hardly endurable
ior Hill ut times.
Being impressed with the native
ability Of this young man, S. Decatur
MtGill and Prof. T. D. Gibbs ad-
viscd him to enter the Tallahassee
state college where he remained until
the next year when he secured
scholarship In Edward Waters college
in Jacksonville. He graduated with
honors from this college In the year
Of 1902.
Seeing rational possibility for
success for 2 colored lawyer in Flor
Ida, he decided to enter Dummer
college, South Byfeld Mass, an In
siitution that. would give him the nee
cssary preparation for an excellent
career in his native state. At this
academy he Won q prize Of $4,000 in
an oratortcal contest, being the only
Negro In the contest, He graduated
from this noted school with honors
and the -naXt-year,~ specialized at .Har-
ward university for the study Of his
chosen profession. During the year
1908 he entered the Boston Univer-
sity Law School and did special work
in the college department. The next
year he was awarded scholarship
in this school representing New
England Ideals, for the entire time re-
quired for his graduation. He grad
uated in 1907 with the degree Of
LII. B.
During the famous Peace Confer
-ence, at Portsmouth, \. H., during
the summer Of 1905, between the
Japanese and Russian nations, NJ
Wltte, the great, Russian statesman
made young, McGill his special mes
senger. McGill made such a success
in teaching some Of the Russian par
ty English that the New England
papers ran interesting stories with il
lustrations on the incident of the ma
tive ability Of this young law student.
Lawyer McGill' was admitted to
practice in all the state courts Of
Florida during the year Of 1908. He
has in a concrete manner sane1y offer
ed solution Of the problems which
seemingly have made the profession
untenablo for Negroes in certain sec
ttons Of the country. He Is assoCiat-
ed with Col. [. j.. Purcell, the oldest,
- and who Is considered to be the brain
lest Negro lawyer in Florida. Their
offices are in one of the well known
commercial buildings Of Jacksonville,
Lawyer Gill does not have to in
'dulge in unmanly yielding of princi-
pies to win a case, but the merts of
the case being established in the
light Of legal procedure, gain for him