W. H. Rogers Explained

W. H. Rogers
State House:Georgia
District:McIntosh County
Term Start:1902
Term End:1907
Successor:F. H. McFarlane
Nationality:American
Party:Republican
Profession:Politician
Footnotes:[1]

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]

Political career

Rogers 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

Notes and References

  1. News: Early Law Makers Already on Scene . 17 July 2022 . The Macon Telegraph . 23 June 1908 . 1.
  2. Book: Legare, John Girardeau. The Darien Journal of John Girardeau Legare, Ricegrower. July 1, 2012. University of Georgia Press. 9780820343105 . Google Books.
  3. Web site: 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 .
  4. Web site: The Negro in Georgia Politics, 1880–1908. Clarence Albert. Bacote. July 17, 1987. University of Chicago. Google Books.
  5. News: Galphin . Bruce . The Last Negro State Representative . 17 July 2022 . The Atlanta Constitution . 10 May 1965 . 4.
  6. Web site: Today in 1868, a Convention Was Held, Which Protested the Expulsion of Blacks From Georgia's State Legislature. October 6, 2020.
  7. Book: Grantham, Dewey W.. Hoke Smith and the Politics of the New South. March 1, 1967. LSU Press. 9780807101186 . Google Books.
  8. News: Negro Legislator Sends Resignation . 17 July 2022 . The Macon News . 11 September 1907 . 8.
  9. Web site: Black Legislators during Reconstruction. Super. Admin.
  10. Book: Hornsby, Alton Jr.. Black America: A State-by-State Historical Encyclopedia [2 volumes]

    A State-by-State Historical Encyclopedia]

    . August 23, 2011. ABC-CLIO. 9781573569767 . Google Books.