The Hayti herald. (Hayti, Mo.) 1908-1922, 1921-01-20
a SHAME ON THE
FAIR NAME OF MISSOURI

The Fifty-first General Assembly
of Missouri was about to convene.
The majestic corridors of Missouri's
new capitol, with their classic lines,
were filled with people approaching
| the chambers of the two houses,
| Great problems were in the offing-
mighty questions involving the pros
perity Of state, rich in worldly goods
and richer far in men and women of
supreme capacity and intelligence.
| The welfare of Missouri stood in the
balance, with millions concerned in
the business of the state.
The hall of the House of Represen-
tatives. with it's imperial columns
and lofty galleries, was the center of
attraction. Men and women jostled
for place, while in the space reserv-
ed for the chosen legislators of the
people, dignilied personages sought
their seats.
1t was the Missouri of Thomas
Hart Benton, Francis Preston Blair,
William Joel Stone, Francis Marion
Cockrell, George Graham West, Ster-
ling Price, "Jo" Shelby and a thou
sand figures of great renown. 1t was
the site of the old capitol of Mis-
souri,, in which, for generations, men
had struggled for supremacy and a
race of giants had lived and wrought
Inside the 6all, the cosy fire place
with the massive back logs drawn
from the Cole County Forests, were
absent, but the memories of other
days were there. From the windows
high-set in strong, enduring walls,
hewed from Missouri quarries, the
tickle currents of the Missouri river,
the heights OF Callaway-with their
palisades, rivalling the Hudson-the
sheltered homes of the Valley, the
brown woods of the hillsides, gently
touched by the frosts of winter, fell
in full view, Missouri was looking
on.
Down the middle aisle, filled with
Missouri's chosen, came negro
waiter from the City of st. Louis,
fresh from the pots and pans of the
City Clubs kitchen. He walked with
the assurance of the states exalted.
He strobe with the confidence of one
invested with new authority, and
his black countenance shown with
the pleasure of his new role, his eyes
sparkled with delight. Passing be-
yond the lesser lights, he took his
seat near the Speakers dais, and
claimed his own. Alone. of all the
desks in, the half, his was piled
mountain high with floral tributes
from his race. Others were bare OF
decoration, but his was cOnspicuo Is
for the profusness of it's splendor.
He was the representatives
from the Sixth District of the states
FIRST CITY-the wealthiest, most
highly cultured constituency~in the
state. He was the first negro to be
elected to the Missouri legislature.
Albeit he had neglected to meet the
constitutional qualifications of pay
ing taxes, he had been provided by
the St Louis machine which had Sc
lected him. with what is known as p
politicians lot" space of ground
scarcely large enough to accommo-
date a goodsized box, with. taxes at
the princely rate of 81 year. He
had won at the polls, and he held his
seat. Walther Hall Moore had be-
come fullfedged Missouri repre-
sentative.
The formalities prescribed by the
nstitution-fossilized relic of the
white mans rule-were complied
with, and the House adjourned. He
stood at his place, with the broad
smile. so natural with men of his
race, and divided his roses among
congratulating group of Republican
members and their wives, who sur
rounded him in their eager desire to
grasp his hand. They bore forth his
flowers proudly, while a little group
and the newly elected Lieutenant
Governor of the state-like himself,
a st. Louis Republican-welcome
him to his new duties.-Missouri
State Journal.