Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-05-28
Sweet-scented Scenes in South Caro-
t.4 lima.

Some time ago We were called upon to
narrate thrilling scene in the South
Carolina Legislature, which was brought
about by fight between two Of the honor
able colored members Of shat body over
piece Of pie. The member from Charles
ton had bought and paid for the refresh
ment aforesaid and claimed his inalienable
right to devour the same the member
from the rural district insisted upon a di.
vision hence the difficulty, which re-
suited in a fracture of linen and a small
expenditure of some of the best blood of
Africa.
The South Carolina Legislature, having
obtained considerable notoriety by the pie
battle, is evidently determined to main.
tain its position in popular estimation, if
VIC judge by the accounts which have
reached us Of the scenes Immediately pre-
ceeding adjournment. The House was
jolly and uproarious, and voted Mr.. Speak
er donation of $500 in consideration of
the whisky and cigars which, that official
had generously distributed among the
members during the session. The Senate
was in far less amiabe mood, for war
had been declared between the negroes
and carpet-baggers, and general and in.
discriminate debate ensucd, such, perhaps,
as has never before transpired in parla-
mentary annals. The colored troops as
sumed the offensive, aud pitched into the
carpet-bag senators in the most lively
manner, denouncing them as "thieves,"
=" escaped ielons," etc., etc. The Senator
from Barnwcll, Mr.. Leslie, was openly
charged with having been the proprietor
of bagnio in New York, and lodged the
penitcntiary only by going South to serve
the country as a 3" loyal" law-maker. Mr..
Leslie's equanimity being naturally dis
turbcd by this imputation upon his honor,
he retortcd, and told his senatorial assail.
ant that the coat upon his back was stolen,
and that he (Leslie) could prove the fact.
Then waxed worth, Leslie hit out in all d.
rections, pointed round at his colleagues of
the colored persuasion, and swore that
they we're pack of scoundrels, who had
been bribed and sold 50 often that they
did not know who owned them. He in
terspersed his remarks with .pithy allu-
sions to the private history of some of the
mcWucis, "uo, uS Uiieecu, u0u ouIuauASu
the sheriff in every State in the Union,
and finally landed in South Carolina for
the same reason that Judas went to hell
because thcre was no. other place that
would have them. This stirred up the
black brethren, and two or three getting
the floor at once, they abused Leslie in
the very choicest billingsgate, swore that
the reign Of the carpet.baggers in South
Carolina was at an end, that the State be-
longed to the negroes, and they Intended
to rule it. Here curious and character
istic interruption occurred. A notorious
lobbyist, named Joe Crews, advanced to
the table aud deliberately laid down
large pile of greenbacks. Immediately
two of the colored Senators were seen in
close consultation with Crews, and soon
after, swindle, known as the phosphate
monopoly bill, was taken up and passed.
Then the fight was resumed, and while
hostilities were still in progress, the Legis-
lature adjourned. Who dares to say that
the Radical party has not guaranteed to
South Carolina republican form Of gov
ernmeut," and that it is not nice thing
-Repubtscaa. ir. 7