The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-02-08

OF the House LOT Conletup'.' Cpou thLs IuC
widest disorder cnsued. Twenty men start
ed to their feet aud commenced speaking at
the same moment. Above the general con.
fusion could be heard shouts of You lie,
YOU nigger, you" "Dat's not parliamentary,
sah." "You's a wioiatin' of the Constitu-
ton. sah." The last remark was made by a
Young and handsome mulatto. He had no
sooner uttered it than very black man turn.
cd upoa him and exclaimed with an air of
the utmost contempt, "What you knows
about the Constitution, you yellow moke,
YOU. You pusson of insure parentage, you
Shut your fool mouf." This caused a loud
laugh among the negro spectators, and was
greeted with such eXcanations as "Gollr,
but dat mig is some" He's the man for
talkin"; "You bet" and "To be sure.
honey"
A SPECIMEN OF NEGRO ORAToRY.
After this scene had continued for nearly
half IN hour. Mr.. Hahn, the Speaker oil the
House, ascended the platform and motoned
the Young man with the red neck-tle TO ma
some other seat. He then took the chair,
and by dint Of hard shouting succeeded in
restoring some degree of order. Then he
stated that the question was upon motion
10 call four members before the bar-of the
House for contempt III having refused to
vote upon report of the Committee on
Elections. and for thus breaking the quorom
! Of the House. Upon this, DemaS. represcn-
tative from ST. Johns parish, jumped to his
feet, and was Recognized by tue Chair. He is
one of the backest negroes in the State, and
has great influence with his own people. For
this reason. or because his colleagues were too
tired 10 create further disturbances, he was
listened to with some attention. For mo-
ment after he had been accorded the noor he
stood without spcakinga word, gaZug upon
his associates !, ith an assumption OF dignity
that was truly laughable. He is short,
stout man, with very large head, thick lips,
and gIaring eyes. As have already stated,
he is very blick. His immense head was
closely shaved, and his face smooth. He was
dressed with a degree of taste not TO be
| looked for in such an asStmblagc. Ills coat
and plntaioons were of fine black hroadcloth.
He wore Il well.waShed white vest, Spotless
linen, and 4 broad, black crarat. His mon
ster hands were covered with pair oil new
lavender-colored kid gloves. With that Keen
appreciation of dramatic situations which Is
one of the leading characteristics Of the ne
yyoes of the southern States lie continued
10 stand in his place, making no motion,
and not opening his mouth. One OF his
hands rested upon the back Of his chair, and
the other he bad thrust into the bosom OF his
vest. Many Of the black spectators looked
upon him with evident admiration, and as
| be stood the confusion on The floor OF the
House ceased entirely. Then he spoke sub.
stantially as follows: "Mi>sa Speaker and
other -e,mcu Of dis here HouSe,-1 OH hayc
| inst heard motion made to call four lawful
representatives Of the people oeio' the
| bar to answer for contempt DAT they
| would not vote for a measure which
thcy knowcd was wrong. One OF them
| members was me, DcmaS, who repre-
sent in dis Legislature the people,
| white and black, Of the good Parish OF
| St. John the BJptiSt. Dis gcmlnan Is a-goln'
| To do, vid no reference to previous color,
| race, or condition, Us we is told to do by the
| Constitution and the laws" Here the
sncaker was interrupted by loud applause
| from the negroes and laughter from the
white men preSeut. Continuing, he said:
IAN attempt have been made here today TO
stop dct,stn' and interfer' wild the rights of
renmen by preyentin' Of free discussion.
| Dis Is opposed to. What Goes we come here
for: What for but to talk, advise together,
and discussion questions for the good Of
| the pcople:" OATS so, sure 'nougS,H cried
several of the members, and Demas con-
tiuucd: " Dat bcin' so, Is gown to have my
right of debate, and amt gown to vote on
| no Question Whar tue discussion is stopped.
| sides that. Is told dat the gemmen as is
a-cllimu' of seats here war not legal elected;
aud quorum or no quorum, Republican party
lor DO party, | ain't GOWN to 90 agtn the lie.
uruin' Board. Dat board declared l war
legal elected, and l'> GOWN 10 stick 10 them.
| feel dat way, gemmcn, an | ain't GOWN to
do no different: 80 now call me fore the bar
Of the House, or do what you like. but
wont vote on dis here question, so sure as
my name am Dcmas, from the parish of St.
john the Baptist"
At the clo>c Of this speech Mr.. Demas sat
duwn amid loud applause and some hugh.
ter. He had no sooner resigned the floor
than nearly every member in the House
iumped to his feet and demanded recogni.
ton. A wild scene OF confusion again en-.
sued. Twenty different motions We're put
and none OF them acted upon. The expires
sions " liar" aud :" niger" were frequently
used. and at one moment it seemed rs if th,
meeting would break up in Il fight. Ere
ouept calls were made for the Sergcant.at
Arms. but that officer was nowhere to b.
:, found. At length comparative quiet wa
restored, and Speaker Hahn, who know
less of parliamentary law than man.
New England schooI-boyS, having de
cided that motion to take recess to
certain time was not debItable, the floor wa
given to Yorke, white man, who rendered
his resignation to Governor Kellogg through
the Sneaker. In doing so he said that he dit
not wish to be member Of any body which
could not maintain its own dignity ant
whose presiding officer was unable to pre-
serve order. He then handed the Speaker
his written resignation, aud attempted tt
mass out of the hall. Without his presence
The quorum would be broken, and the
Sneaker ordered the Sergeant.at-Arms no
n allow him pass. He was prevented from
leaving the chamber. lie had no sooner re
turned 10 his seat, however, than he was ac
cused on all sides of having sold out to the
| Democrats, who are, Of course, most a0X
ions to break the quorum of the so-caled
kclIoyr Legislature. These accusation:
| were followed BY great noise and confusion,
and three other members of the House ten
| drr,d their designations to the Speaker. Tie
mid no attention TO them, however. At this
| iuucturc Hahn was seen to whisper TO one
| of (bc messengers, who at once passed out
o: the chamber and pushed his way through
| H.. crowd in the direction Of the Governors
Office. He soon returned, followed"ty Gov.
eruor kellogg, who came Dareheaded and
greatly excited. Proceeding to the Speak
er's desk the Governor was Informed OF
what had Iranspired, and Of the threat
eued resignation of members. He then re.
turned to the floor of the House, and taking
Dpmss. Yorke, and the others, into q corner,
tried to convince them that they were hurt
ing themselves and the party by their action.
L., ~ nd hp