Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-03-27
A RacV SDeech.

Mr.. Fleming, says the Delta, the sturdy and
stalwart representative from the Fourth District
of this city, and wing candidate for the Recor-
dership of the First Municipality, is a matter-of-
fact, plain, straight-out, fat-footed, big-fsted
representative who "speaks out in the congre-
CATION" in "a style which, though highly
metaphorical, is quite emphatic and explicit
enough. Mr.. Fleming, unlike many other
members, took care not to weaken the effect of
bis eloquence by frequent displays of it. He
made but two speeches during the whole ses-
sion. The last one contained so much point,
plth, and sarcasm, that we must give 4 full report
OF 1t. 1t was on the occasion of an animated
scramble for an appropriation Of $4,000, for a
Typographical survey of the very extensive
swamp lands, given by the General Government
to the State of louisiana. Some gentlemen
who had been very Jealous in their opposition
to many other appropriations, were very earnest
in behalf of this one. In the midst of this
discussion, Mr.. Fleming, who is about seven feet
high, and large in proportion arose and ad-
dressed the House as follows:
Mr. Speaker-Idid not intend to open my
head on this question, but to let the big He
Bees OF the House have full swing; but, sir,
when | see such capers cut before high heaven,
as are shown off on this floor, | am forced to
get the better af my mode sly, and give you a
small piece of my mind. . o. Il
Sir, my notion is that this house is troubled
with a clique of Sir Oracles-Ofw ould-be June
bugs, who carry upon their shoulders the whole
burden Of the State, and who seem to be as
much troubled with patriotism and the love of
hearing themselves discourse, that if they did
not keep their safety valves wide open all the
while, there is great danger of their bursting
their boilers. Now, these individuals have,
during the whole session, been walking up apd
down the aisles, with knitted brows and hands
stuck undertheir coattails, frownipg and looking
dagsers at every body who has an appropriation
to offer. One would think, to hear them talk,
that the whole State of Louisiana was about to
be tumbled into the Gulf of MEXICO, or pitched
the top of the Rocky Mountains, if any
body else but themselves got what they wanted.
But, by Saint Paul, if any of their own little pet
bills come up, they are as gentle as sucking
doves, and the world will come to an ehd If
they don't carry them through.
Now, sir, l have been here nine weeks, and l
voted for every appropriation offered,
l have been told the State was rather
short Of funds; but sir, it does appear to me that
other members, who have opposed every body's
but their ownolittle darling ~fancies, are putting
themselves in an unneces ry2 heat about this
appropriation to survey the swamps, Which
magnificent individual, Nh. Harmansson, to
Use the words of Prentiss, "as mild a hammered
nan as ever scuttled ship, or cut a throat has
got for the State. Now, sir, my notion is that
t would be best to leave the swamps as they
ire, and let poor people 60 in and squat on them
It a dollar and a quarter an acre, and they will
and drain them quicker than all the
:opographers in Christendom. @
Mr.. Jennings speech produced a decided
Impression on the House, and led to an immedi.
tie vote, and a seating of the gentlemen Of
united brows and long coat-tags. 0 o O