W. H. Rogers was an American politician. He was a state legislator in Georgia and was the only African-American to serve in the 99th Georgia State Assembly. He represented McIntosh County, Georgia from 1902 until 1907.[2][3]
W. H. Rogers | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the McIntosh County district | |
| In office 1902–1907 | |
| Succeeded by | F. H. McFarlane |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Profession | Politician |
| [1][2] | |
Political career
editRogers was elected to represent McIntosh County, Georgia in the 99th Georgia State Assembly and took office in 1902.[2] He was the only African American serving in the 99th Assembly. His racist opponents launched a campaign against him using the slogan "Redeem McIntosh County."[4] He ran for re-election in 1904 and 1906, winning both elections.[5]
He resigned in 1907[6] when a bill to disenfranchise African Americans passed in Georgia's legislature.[7] It was signed in 1907 by Georgia governor Hoke Smith.[7] Rogers sent his resignation letter directly to Smith.[5][8] In 1908, the Macon Telegraph stated that Rogers would be "perhaps the last [negro] that will have had a seat in the General Assembly of Georgia."[1]
Rogers was the last African American to serve in Georgia's legislature[9] until 1963 when Leroy Johnson was elected to the Georgia Senate.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Early Law Makers Already on Scene". The Macon Telegraph. 23 June 1908. p. 1. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ a b c Legare, John Girardeau (July 1, 2012). The Darien Journal of John Girardeau Legare, Ricegrower. University of Georgia Press. ISBN 9780820343105 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Georgia at the regular session of the General Assembly at Atlanta, Wednesday, June 26, 1907 – Digital Library of Georgia".
- ^ Bacote, Clarence Albert (July 17, 1987). "The Negro in Georgia Politics, 1880–1908". University of Chicago – via Google Books.
- ^ a b Galphin, Bruce (10 May 1965). "The Last Negro State Representative". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 4. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ "Today in 1868, a Convention Was Held, Which Protested the Expulsion of Blacks From Georgia's State Legislature". October 6, 2020.
- ^ a b Grantham, Dewey W. (March 1, 1967). Hoke Smith and the Politics of the New South. LSU Press. ISBN 9780807101186 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Negro Legislator Sends Resignation". The Macon News. 11 September 1907. p. 8. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
- ^ Admin, Super. "Black Legislators during Reconstruction".
- ^ Hornsby, Alton Jr. (August 23, 2011). Black America: A State-by-State Historical Encyclopedia [2 volumes]: A State-by-State Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781573569767 – via Google Books.