The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-02-09
RIVAL LEGISLATURES,
EBONY ELnQuENCE.

EBONY ELoQUENCE.
SCENES IN THE LOUISIANA LEGIsLATURE-A
NEGRO MEMBER DEFENDING HIS RIGHTS,
PARLIAMENTARY CONFUSION AND DISORDER.
The New Orleans correspondent of the
New York Times writes thus of scene he
witnessed in the state legislature: The as
sembly chamber is long, narrow, I'M
csrpeted, foul-smelling room. Near
the door a small space is apart
for visitors, and above this is a
low gallery, which one of the attend
ants informed me was ''the ladies balcony"
AT the lower end of the apartment the
speakers desk is raised almost to the
ceiling, and around this are clustered seats
for innumerable negro clerks, messengers,
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-moutbed wonder
upon the proceedings of those within the
circle, and 1t was only after ten minutes
diligent pushing that l succeeded in Sc
curing position from which 1t was posi-
BILE to see as well as hear. 1t Is almost I'M
possible to describe the scene which was
then presented to me. Six or seven
black men were on the floor shouting
like maniacs; a number of others were in
their seats crying, 'Order, d." and "Missa
Speaker" at the top of their voices. In the
chair young white man was seated. He
presented very remarkable appear
ance. His clothes were much too small
for him, and had cracked in two or
three places. Through these holes a sOiled
shirt appeared, and in the bosom of this gar
ment a valuable diamond pin was placed.
The young man wore a very dirty shirt
collar and flaming red neck tie. This was
the speaker pro tenn. of the Louisiana legis-
lature. Above the din created by the MEM
bers on the floor of the House could be
heard
A seUEAKY VOICE
issuing from this young man and command
ing "order.p The confusion and noise were
increased by the gsvel, with which he raped
loudly and continually. At first it was, of
course, impossible to discover what ques-
ton was being so excltedly discussed. but
after a time became aware that the debate
was upon the adoption OF a report of
the com mittee on elections, giving seats to
two republicans who claim to have been
elected, but who had not been returned by
the board of canvassers. On this white
leader of the House had moved the pre-
vious question. and number OF negroes,
who stated that they were sure the claim
nants had not been elected, rose and re-
fused to vote unless debate was allowed.
After this scene had continued for nearly
half an hour, Mr.. Hahn, the speaker of the
House, assembled the platform and motioned
the young man with the red neck-tie to find
some other seat. He then took the chair,
and by dint of hard shouting sue
ceeded in restoring order. Then he
upon a motion to cali our mem
oers before the bar of the House for con
tempt in having refused to vote upon re-
port of the committee on elections, and for
- H.. hi I,a rf hQ
Upon this, Damas, representative from st.
Johns parish, jumpedto his feet, and was
recognized by the chair. Heis
ONE or THE BLACKLIST NEGROES
in the state, and hasg-eat influence with his
own people. For Il reason, or because his
colleagues were too red 10 create further
disturbances, he was -stened to with some
attention. For moment after he had been
accorded the door he stood without speak
ing word, gazing upon his associates with
an assumption Of dignity that was truly
laughable. He is a short, stout man,
with very large head, thick lips, and glar-
ing eyes,. AS / have already stated, he is
very black. 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 assem- blage. His
coat and pantaloons were of fine black
broadcloth. He wore a well-washed white
vest, spotless linen, and a broad, black
cravat. His monster hands were covered
with pair of new lavender colOred kid
gloves. With that keen appreciation of
dramatic situations which Is one of the lead
ing characteristics of the negroes of the
Southern states, he continued to 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 had thrust into the bosom of his
of ha
upon him with evident admiration, and as
he stood the confusion on the floor Of the
House ceased entirely. Then he spoke sub
stantially follows: "Missa Speaker and
other gemmen OF
DIS HERE HOUSE:
You have just heard motion made to call
four lawful representatives Of the people
befo' the bar to answer for contempt, dat
they would not vote for measure which
they knowed was wrong. One of them
members was me, Demas, who represent
in dis legislature the people, white and
black, of the good parish of ST. John
the Baptist. Dis gemmen is gown
to do, wild no reference to previous color,
race or condition, as we is told to do by the
constitution and the laws" Here the
speaker was interrupted by loud applause
from the negroes and laughter from the
white men present. Continuing, he said:
San attempt have been made here to-day to
stop debatin' and interfer' wild the rights of
gemmen by preventin OF free discussion.
| Dis rs opposed to- What does we come
here for? What for but TO talk, advise to-
gether, and discussion of questions for the
good Of the people2" "Dat's so, sure
enough" cried several of the members, and
| ID emas continued: "Dat bein' so, rs GOWN
to have my right of debate, an amt GOWN
to vote on no question whar the discussion
| is stopped. sides dat, rs told dat the
gernmen as is claimin' Of seats here war
not legal elected; and quorum or no
quorum, republican party or no party.
amt GOWN TO go agin the returnin' board.
Dat board declared l war legal elected, and
rs gown to stick TO them. / feel DAB way.
gemmen. an L amt gown TO do no different;