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.
"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.