for them to prove it was to vote for the Republican caucus nominees for
officers of the House, because he was the recognized leader of the party
in the State and that the issue involved in the elections was either an
endorsement or repudiation of his administration as Governor. Republican
success under such circumstances meant an endorsement of his
administration, while Republican defeat would mean its repudiation. The
most effective way, then, in which they could make good their
ante-election pledges and promises was to vote for the candidates of
the Republican caucus for officers of the House.

The two Carroll County Independents informed the Senator that he had
correctly outlined their position and their attitude, and that it was
their purpose and their determination to give a loyal and effective
support, so far as the same was in their power, to the policies and
principles for which he stood and of which he was the accredited
representative; but that they were apprehensive that they could not
successfully defend their action and explain their votes to the
satisfaction of their constituents if they were to vote for a colored
man for Speaker of the House.

"But," said the Senator, "could you have been elected without the votes
of colored men? If you now vote against a colored man,--who is in every
way a fit and capable man for the position,--simply because he is a
colored man, would you expect those men to support you in the future?"

The Senator also reminded them that they had received very many more
colored than white votes; and that, in his opinion, very few of the
white men who had supported them would find fault with them for voting
for a capable and intelligent colored man to preside over the
deliberations of the House.