Year: 1874

Gov. on the McEnery ticket and the leading spirit
of the late revolutionary movement, and ex-Lieut-
Gov. Pinchbaek contestant for one of the LOuisi-
ana seats in the United States Senate.


PENN AND P1NCHBACK.


Gov Penn travelled first class" and Gov. Pinch
back second class :" but they contrved to meet in
the barber-shop. which, suppose, may be fairly set
down as neutral ground. Gov. Penn is generally
conceded to be one of the coming men OF State
which has need of men of his kind. His quiet tastes.
unobtrusive manners, and business habits would
never have given him political prominence, but the
exgences of the day and the call Of the people who
knew his worth demanded his appearance, and he
came have met no Southern man who has i'm
pressed me more favorably. Honest liberal, judi
cous quick to decide and prompt to execute it was
owing perhaps to him more than to anybody else
that the coup dttat of the l4th of September was
revolution and not riot and that its effect was
better understanding between the rather than
a widening of the breach by which they have been
so long separated McEnery, MARI Ogden. and
others are men equally respected, and each ds-
charged his duties with strict regard to the interests
of the people but upon Penn was imposed the heav-
lest responsibility and he shOudered it and carried
it like o man born to govern. Gov. Pinchback is
better known throughout the country. because he
has been longer before the people. He is well IN
formed shrewd. and plausible, comparing favorably
with any man his race has yet given to public life
His negro blood is scarcely dscernbe in this coun-
try of white men with dark compexiOns, but it is in
bis veins nevertheless and fancy that, in view Of
the present political situation in the South he has
found it rather desirable capital when combined
with quick wit and good manners.


To hear these men talk together one would think
they were members of the same political party, 80
little difference is there in their expression OF views
and yet until race to he the dividing line OF
parties in the South for all practical purposes they
are likely to be as wide apart as the poles.


AN INTERCHANGE OF VIEWS


Pinchback agreed that the coup d'etat had been
conducted with careful consideration for the rights
of the negro and with scrupulous avoidance Of un-
necessary violence "Gov. Penn" said he. I" is the
most popular man in Louisiana to-day. with blacks
as well as whites" and he recalled the fact that
when it became necessary to reOrganize the police
force of New-Orleans, after the dispersion of the
Metropolitans, Penn had ordered that one-third OF
the whole number should be cOlored men. The
events of that day." he added, " have brought the
two races nearer together than they have been for
years. "Why, then," asked, is not this favor
able opportunity to step across the party lines in
order that honest people OF both parties may com
bne and drive out the adventures who are now in
power ~ In reply, both Penn and Pinchback agreed
that the opportunity is hand and that the course
Isuggested ought to be followed, but neither be-
heved the desired result probable. Penn thought
the prejudice of the negroes against political ALL
ance with their old masters was the obstruction I;
Pinchback strongly urged that while both races were
more or less preudced the whites were principally
to blame for the continued alienation. He said that
the people of New -Oreansnow have an opportunity
for showing the sincerity of their professions of lib
erality toward the negro in politics. In that city
the whites claim to have majority OF the voters
let them give the negroes minority representation
on their municipal ticket then those who favor the
political cooperation of the can 60 with better
grace into the country parishes where the negroes
predominant and ask them to place white men IN
nomination. Penn admitted the justice of this
view and said that he had already been urging its
practical adoption in NewOrleans well as every
where else in the State. The conversation after
ward touched upon Kellogg and Packard and Pinch
back showed that he was well aware of the charac-
ter and purposes of these men, and of their dupcity
toward hm IN the matter of his Senatorial claims.


PINcHBACK on THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.


A reference to the Civil Rights bill brought out
very decided opinion from Pinchback in favor of its
massage He said he was not disposed to push him
self into any company where his presence was not
desired, but where his rights or comfort were in
volved he had no hesitation in demanding what the
law allowed him. For instance" he remarked,
81 don't ride in the cabin this steamer tonight,
because am going only 80 miles, and don't value
the comforts of a cabin for few hours highly
enonch to make q row about it, I prefer to stay
with my friends here in the barber-shop. But if l
had to travel all night 1 should demand my state
room and seat at the cabin table, and 60 to law
about it if they were refused" / asked what was
his experience in the North as to hotel and
travelling accommodations. He replied that
he had never been subjected to denial or
disrespect anywhere, North or South, ex-
cept perhaps in Indianapolis, where he went
to lecture. There, after registering his name
at the Bates House, under the impression that a
room had been secured for him by the Lecture Com
mittee he was told by the clerk that there none
suitable for his use. Pinchback replied that he
was MT at all particular, and almost any room
would do" Just then the proprietor came up and
said very frankly, " The fact IS, Mr. Pinchback, we
don't accommodate colored people it would injure
our business but if you insist upon it of course we
must give You a ROOM" Pinchback rejoined, in ac-
acknowledgement of the landlords candor that of
course he would not insist upon his right the houses
of friends were open to him, but being tired and
dusty from travelling he would like room for few
minutes in order to make himself little pre-
sentable. The landlord said, Of course you can
have it y and the colored statesman retiring to the
designated room, a very good one, by the way, soon
reappeared in the Office, fresh, clean, and smil-
ing He was at once surrounded by friends who had
heard of his arrival and the titles of Governor"
and Senator" showered upon him in conversation,
were apparently not without effect upon mine host
of the Bates House. Presently he called Pinchback
aside and offered to make exception in his favor


room was at his disposal. But the offer was de-
clined and Pinchbaok went to the house of friend
This anecdOte was followed by argument in favor