Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1951-05-05
More Negro Lawmakers In Sight

other local posts during Spring
elections scattered about the
South.
Last year, it will be recalled,
thirty-six Negroes made it to the
state legislatures of fifteen states.
Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma and
West Virginia are the southern
most states with Negroes in their
state assemblies. A year or so
back, Oliver Hill made history thru
his election to the Richmond CITY
council.
Now Negroes are making his
tory in several locations in the
South by putting their hats into
the ring Tor ciCy councils and school
boards. in North Georgia, a Negro
maue history by trying for the
school board in an election in
winch he showed considerable COM
munlty-wlde support. Then there
was a try for city council by a
Negro last November in Augusta,
Georgia.
North Carolina is somewhat out
front IN attempts by Negroes seek
ing public office. Here in Charlotte,
Kelly M. Alexander, NAACP state
branches president, and the Rev.
James Wertz are trying for the
council and school board, respec-
tlveiy. This election will take place
on April 80. | hear that they should
make tiff the brown brother
turns out.
At Raleigh, Attorney Herman L.
Taylor, former member of the
North Carolina College law facul-
ty, at Durham, is offering for the
council. While at Durham, J. T.
Taylor, North Carolina College pro-
lessor, has his hat in the ring. And
| am told that tries will be made
by Negro candidates in Asheville
and Wnston-Salem, where a Negro
recently retired from the council.
Moving to Tennessee, it appears
that for the first time in thirty
years the city of Nashville will
nave city councilman Of color. In
that city's Fifth Ward, which is
described as being 900 colored,
Attorney 2. Alexander LOBBY vies
with Attorney Coyness L. Ennix
IN a contest which at the moment
has no white opposition. And Nash
vile sources see none.
In Nashville's Third Ward. two
Negro candidates are also in the
picture for posts in the city coun-
ell. The two attornies, Robert E..
Lillard and Daniel w. West, are in
a four cornered race which involv-
es two white candidates. While in
the city,s First Ward, ]. T. Lewis.
a minister and real estate agent
will try against one or two white
candidates.
In a first primary stab, Pub
Usher Porcher L. Taylor, of Jack
sonville, Florida, came thru vic
torlous in a try that carries him
into a May LIST election. st. Louis
Eighteenth Ward saw COP Attor-
ney Sidney Redmond enter the city
council and the Mound City's Ben
Oliver, Democrat, also entered the
city administration. Other Negro
Candidates failed in st. Louis.
There are probably other
Negroes in other cities out to serve
their communities in elected Off
cial posts. Sometime ago, | report
ed the running of candidates in
Oklahoma City and Kansas CITY.
Then | stressed two items which I
considered of no little concern
Negroes should run for public Of
flee, and second" candidates
should not lessen the chances of
"hopefuls."
Most important, | believe, is the
fact that the current lot of Colored
Americans, who are trying for of
flee, are running on platforms
which are in keeping with the up
permost concern of good govern
ment. Alexander and Wertz. here
in Charlotte, hit the core of the
matter when in a joint platform
they stressed stimulation of Gin
terest in representative govern
ment."
This | feel to be the end results
in Negroes running for office. Not
that | do not know that Negro
public officials would serve we'll
they will, but someway, somehow.
Negroes must be wooed to the
polls. Once he is politically active,
his local determination will be
greater and his participation of
citizenry more assured.
Finally, more Negroes in more
locations should try for city coun-
ellis, school boards and other cleo
tive posts. 1t appears that COM
munities and cities Of the South
are not anymore hostile toward
Negro candidates for public-if so,
so what. To vote, have that vote
counted, and run for public posts
are American rights. Then there
is demonstration - demonstration
of interest.
More Negro lawmakers are def
nitely in sight.