The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-02-14
Cincinnati Commercial S. G. Jetter.I
SOUTH CAROLINA SCENES.
The Great and Good DE. Redfield Leolfs
in Upon The Legislature.

\
The Great and Good Dr. Redacid LooIss
/ in Upon The Legislature.
As you enter the second story the
House of Representatives is upon the
right and the Senate Chamber upon
the left. When the House was called
together, stepped in and took a po-
sition where could watch the pro-
cess Of making laws in South Caroli-
ma, and see tho men who made them.
COLOR AND PARTY.
We will glance at the composition
of both branches OF the Assembly
The total is one hundred and fifty
seven members-rather heavy force
for light State. Next TO quality the
quantity is alarming. OF these thirty.
three are Senators, and one hundred
and twenty.four are Representatives
In color the black Senators number
sixteen and Representatives eighty,
or about two thirds OF the whole
An American Legislature composed
of two.thirds negroes is something of
a novelty. 1t is certainly new thing
even in our enlightened and progress
i've country. ln politics the division
of the Houses is still more one sided.
In the Senate there are but eight
Democrats, aud in the House but
twenty three. Only thirty-one out of
a total of one hundred and fifty-sevcn.
When we reflect that these thirty-one
are the only Representatives the tax
payers and property.holders really
have, We do not 30 much wonder that
extravaganza and corruption run riot.
All this Spartan band OF Democrats
can do is TO keep their seats, growl in
whispers, and vote the minority vote.
Occasionally they enter protest"
and it is solemnly enrolled. but they
might rs well spread chapter Of
"Y Young's Night Thoughts" on the
record Tor all the good it will do.
THE HOUSE
upon assembling, was called TO order
by S. H. Lee, the Speaker. lie is
inula:to, Thin and sparse, quick of mo-
ton, and ready of speech, very good
specimen of the typical steamboat
barber He has been in the Legisla-
ture two or three years, and has
picked up enough scraps OF parliamen-
iary law and gospel TO hold the House
within bounds. His good lungs and
shrill voice are valuable aids in this
work.
AFTER PRAYER,
during the delivery OF which there
was sort of calm, business broke
out in vigorous style. From two to
five were upon the floor at once, ges.
ticulating wildly aud talking in un-
known tongues. | could not catch
the drift of the argument, aud it is
doubtful if the participants knew
themselves. One black but consump.
tive-looking youth, whose strength OF
voice contrasted strongly with his
width of shoulders, maintained the
floor with vigor of purpose worthy
of a more important cause. In the
general flood of voice and roar of sur
rounding tongues, could distinguish
or recognize, rs it were, fragments of
discourse. caught from the lips OF
the consumptive youth something
about de locks on der DOORS" aud
the "lcaky roof" and that something
or other was an imperfect contract
don't know what imperfect contract
is, bu: suppose, from the way the
honorable gentleman talked about it,
it is something peculiar to South Car.
olina jurisprudence. While the cx-
FOUNDER of the imperfect contract was
speaking, business went on about this
way:
II call the gen'em' to order!"
Il rise to pint OF order!'
THE gentleman is out of order his
selfm
Estate your point of order"
THE gem'en is discussin' that which
is not afo: the House"
Il moves the previous question"
81 moves to lay it on the table,
"Set down, you've not got the fio'."
"Alr. Speaker. Oh, Mr.. Speaker"
~ had the flo fust."
"Both OF them are out of order"
"Call the yeas and nays on it,
II arise to question of substitute
on the"
CAS- | was saying before
"The gentleman is out of order;-
take your seatm
Il were up first"
"The special hour has arrived"-
"One O'Clock was the time"
"The gentleman will yield the
floor"
"Sah p
"The gentleman will subside; the
| 81 81 IL
"All right, sah."
"Gentlemen, arise and receive the
Senate"
THE SENATORS
filed in, proceeded by large mula.to,
who carried heavy eight-foot pole,
which he solemnly deposited on the
reporters table. The Senators took
front row of seats. They were half
negroes, and the rest not very thrifty
looking whites. Lieutenant Cover
nor Gleaves, tall, spare, solemn
looking mulatto, was escorted to the
Speakers stand. He has considerable
stoop OF shoulders, Roman nose, a
medium moustache, wears Eyeglasses,
speaks with deliberation, aud, but for
his color, is fair specimen of the
average college professor.
The two houses together were re-
solved into joint Assembly, for the
purpose of electing judge to succeed
Jas. J.. Orr, appointed Minister to
Russia by President Grant.
I Several OF the Senators were rather
healthy and lusty looking young gen.
/ IL .,Lo.nn InaroIr..r.n... 4 -..~..l 4