"Can you then," the Senator asked, "afford to offend the great mass of
colored men that supported you in order to please an insignificantly
small number of narrow-minded whites?"

The Senator assured them that he was satisfied they had nothing to fear
as a result of their action in voting for Mr. Lynch as Speaker of the
House. He knew the candidate favorably and well and therefore did not
hesitate to assure them that if they contributed to his election they
would have no occasion to regret having done so. The conference then
came to a close with the understanding that all present would vote the
next day for the Republican caucus nominees for officers of the House.
This was done. The result of the ballot the following day was as
follows:

Lynch, Republican caucus nominee, 63
Chandler, Independent Republican, 49
Necessary to elect 57

It will be seen that Judge Chandler received the solid Democratic vote
while Lynch received the vote of every voting Republican present,
including Chandler and the two Independents from Carroll,--three
Republicans still being absent and not paired. By substantially the same
vote ex-Speaker Warren, of Leake County, was elected Chief Clerk, and
Ex-Representative Hill, of Marshall County, was elected
Sergeant-at-arms. The Legislature was then organized and was ready to
proceed to business.

At the conclusion of the session, the House not only adopted a
resolution complimenting the Speaker and thanking him for the able and