the nerve to contest the seat of a white man to whom the certificate
of election had been awarded. After a long and bitter fight in which
three times I carried in and presented a minority report we won and
Haller was seated. This isn't the only case of its kind that I know of
in this state.

Haller of course had able legal talent to take care of his case.

I voted for the purchase of the battle field of San Jacinto which is
in Harris country about twenty miles below Houston. It was on this
battlefield that Texas won her independence from Mexico in 1836. It
is now a beautiful state park. For this action I was publicly thanked
by the Daughters of the Republic.

Respectfully
(Signed) R. L. SMITH.

The legislatures which I served in were the 23d and 24th.

Charles A. Culberson, now U. S. senator was governor and our relations
were very cordial.

In 1902 I was tendered and accepted a position in the U. S. Marshal's
office for the Eastern Dist. of Texas by Pres. Roosevelt. Held same
until 1909. This was the most honorable and best paid federal position
ever held by a Negro in Texas except that held by Hon. N. W. Cuney who
was collector of the Post of Galveston. In 1915 I took charge of the
Extension Service work for Negroes in Texas which I now hold.

SOME NEGRO MEMBERS OF THE TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE DURING RECONSTRUCTION
PERIOD AND AFTER[29]

By Honorable J. C. Napier, of Nashville, Tenn., register of United
States Treasury, May, 1917

Year Name County

1871-73 Sampson W. Keeble Davidson
1877-79 Thos. A. Sykes? Davidson
1879-81 S.A. McElwee? Haywood
1881-83 T. Frank Cassells Shelby
J.F. Norris Shelby
Thos. A. Sykes? Davidson
S.A. McElwee? Haywood
1883-85 J.W. Boyd Weakley
S.A. McElwee Haywood
D.F. Rivers Fayette
1885-87 G.E. Evans Shelby
W.A. Fields Shelby
W.C. Hodge Shelby
S.A. McElwee Haywood
D.F. Rivers[30] Fayette
1887-89
1889-91 ---- Goodman Fayette
1891-93
1893-95
1895-97 J. M. H. Gra