The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-02-12
The Louisiana Legislature.
CHARACTER Or THE MEN WHO MAKE LAWS
FOR THE STATE.

FOR THE STATE.
The New York Times New Orleans cor
respondent writes The Assembly cham
Der is a long, narrow, unexpected, foul
smelling room. Near the door a small
space is set apart for vi -itors. and above
this is low gallery, which one of the at
tendauts informed me was '.the ladies'
balcony" At the lower end of the apart
Hent the Speakers desk is raised almost
to the ceiling. and around this are clustered
seats for innumerable negro clerks, mes
sengers, and other attendants. Entering
( the room, | found the members engaged in
loud and exciting debate. The space set
apart for spectators was filed with negroes
who gaZed with open mouthcd wonder
upon the proceedings of those within the
circle, and it was only after ten minutes
diligent pushing that | succeeded in secur-
/ ing a position from which it was possible
! to see as well as hear. II is almost impos-
sible to describe the scene which was then
presented to me. Six or seven black men
were on the floor shouting like maniacs a
humber Of others were in their seats cry
ing. "C,der. da.' - ard '.MisSa Speaker
at the top Of their voices.
In the chair a young white man was
seated. He presented very remarkable
. appearance. His clothes were much too
small for him, and had cracked in two or
. tHiFt liidttS. Trough THESE NOES q SsDfitC
shirt appeared, and in the bosom of this
garment a valuable diamond pin was
placed. The young man wore a very dirty
shirt collar and a flaming red nec!ltie.
This was the Speaker pro ten. Of the Lou
isiana Legislature. Above the din created
by the members on the floor of the House
could be heard squeaky voice issuing
from this young mau aud commanding
''order.'
The confusion and noise were increas
by the gavel with which lie raped loudly
and continually. His commands were of
no avail, however; the representatives of
the people would not be silenced. At first
it fwas, Cf course, impossible to discover
what question was being so excitedly dis
Gu ;sed, but after a time | became aware
that the debate was upon the adoptionTof
n report Of the Committee on Election
giving seats to two Republicans who claimed
to be elected, but who had not been re-
turned by the board of canvassers. On
this white leader of the. House had moved
the previous question, and a number of
negroes, who stated that they were sure
that the claimants lad not been elected,
rose and refused to vote unless debate was
allowed.
When it is remembered that on account
OF the withdrawal of the Conservatives
:here are only fifty six members, or inst
no business could be touched if one mems
Der refused to vote. Knowing this, and
evidently wishing to have the report of
the committee adopted at once. the white
leader referred to moved that those who re-
fused to vote be called before the bar of
the House for contempt. Upon this the
widest disorder ensued Twenty men
started to their feet and CONNER ced speak
ing at the same moment. Above the gen
CIal confusion could be heard shouts of
''Iou lie, you niggcr you" Oats not
parliamentary. sah." ''IOu's a violation
the constitution. sah'' The last remark
WAS made by y young and handsome mUS
lattO. He had no sooner uttered it thar a
very black man turned upon him and ex-
claimed with an air Of tic utmost contempt,
"What You knows about the constitution
you yellow moke you? You pusson OF un-
sure parentage, you shut your fool n0srf''
This caused a loud laugh among the negro
spectators. and was greeted with such ex-
Carnations as ''Golly, but dat pig is some, :"
He's the man for talkjn," ~ on bet, :"
and '"ro be sure honey"
a SPECIMEN or NEGRO ORATORT.
After this scene had continued for near
lv half an houI, Mr.. Hahn. the Speaker Of
. the House, ascended the platform aud mo-
toned the Young man with the red uccktie
to find some other scat. He then took the
chair, and, by dint Of hard shouting, sue
ceeiCd il restoring some degree of order
Then he stated that the question was upon
a motion to call four members before tile
bar Of the House for contempt in having
/ refused to vote upon report of the CONS
rnttee on Elections and for thus breakir q
the quorum Of the House. Upon this
Demas. Representative from St. John s
Parish, jumped to his feet and was recOg-
nized by the chair He is one of the
. blackest negroes in the State, and has
great Influence with his own people. For
this reason, or because his colleagues wero
too tired to create further disturbance, he
was listened to with some attention
y For moment after he had been accord
ed the floor he stood without speaking a
word, gazing upon his associates with an
assumption of dignity that was truly laugh
able. He is short, stout man, with verv
, large head, thick lips, and gIarinc ewes.
7 As have already stated, he is very black
His immense head was closely shaved and
his face smooth. He was dressed in a de
gree of taste not to be looked for in such
an assembiage. His coat and pantaloOrs
we're Of fine broadcloth. He woe a well
washed white vest, spotless linen. and a
broad, black cravat. His monster hands
were covered with a pair of new lavender
cOlored kid gloves. With that keen ap-
probation of dramatic situations which is
one of the leading characteristics of the
negroes of the Southern States, he contin-
ued to stand in his place, making no mo.
tion. and not opening his mouth. One OF
his hands rested upon the back of his
chair, and the other he had thrust into the
bosom of his vest. Many of the black spec
tators looked upon him with evident ad-
mIIatioD. and as he stood the confusion or
, the floor of the House ceased entirely.
, Then he spoke substantially as follows
, ''Missa Speaker and other gemmen of dis
here House You have just heard mo-
tion made to call four lawful Representa-
tivcs of the people befo' the bar TO answer
for contempt, dat they would not vote fo
! measure which they knowed was wrong
+ One OF them was me, Dcmas, who repre-
sent in dis Legislature the people, white
! and black. of the good old parish Of St
e John the Baptist. Dis gemn.an is gown
to do, wild no reference to previous color
I race or condition. as we is told To fl,, by III