There were three colored men in the Senate Chamber, and two of them were really able and scholarly men, and were among the leading debaters in that chamber. One was Dr. Dan Norton, from the Yorktown District, another was Senator William N. Stevens, representing the senatorial district of Sussex and Greensville counties. Senator Stevens was a speaker of much elegance and grace, and was always listened to with respect and admiration. Then there was Senator J. Richard Jones, representing Charlotte and Mecklenburg counties. In the Lower House, there were thirteen colored representatives; the names of two I can not just recall, but the others I will mention. Norfolk county, R.G.L. Paige. Princess Anne county, Littleton Owens. York county, Robert Norton. City of Petersburg, Armstead Green. Dinwiddie county, Alfred W. Harris. Powhatan county, Neverson Lewis. Brunswick county, Guy Powell. Cumberland county, Shed Dungee. Prince Edward county, Batt Greggs. Amelia and Nottoway, Archie Scott. Mecklenburg county, Ross Hamilton. Paige and Harris were thoroughly educated men, while Ross Hamilton possessing only limited literary qualifications, was a most remarkable man, and one of the parliamentary authorities of that body. In the preceding session, of which Hamilton was a member, he got to himself great fame by the introduction of the measure known and referred to as the "Ross Hamilton bill." It had to do with the settlement of the Virginia debt, the great issue on which Mahone rode into power. Paige and Harris were among the principal leaders of the House, and certainly, few were the men in that house whether democrats or republicans, who could outrank them in oratory or public debate. Mr. Harris introduced the measure which provided for the present state Normal school, at Petersburg, carrying with it an appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars. I had the great pleasure of bearing the bill to the Speaker's desk.