One of the reasons, no doubt, why it is supported by a Democratic administration, is that the State might otherwise forfeit and lose the aid it now receives from the National Government for the support of agricultural institutions.

But, aside from this, there are very many liberal, fair-minded and influential Democrats in the State who are strongly in favor of having the State provide for the liberal education of both races.
The knowledge I had acquired of parliamentary law not only enabled me to take a leading part in the deliberations of the Legislature, but it resulted in my being made Speaker of the House of Representatives that was elected in 1871.

Shortly after the adjournment of the first session of the Legislature, the Speaker of the House, Hon.

F.E.Franklin, of Yazoo County, died.

When the Legislature reassembled the first Monday in January, 1871, Hon.