The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-02-25

a violating the constitutions, sah.-
This last remark was made by young
and handsome mulatto.5 He had nc
sooner uttered it than q very black
man turned upon him and exclaimed
with an air of the utmost contempt
"What you know about the eonstitu-
ton, you yellow moke youae You
pusson of zunsure parentage, you shut
your fool mouf." This caused loud
laugh greeted with; sush exclamations
as oily, but dat mig is some, "He's
de man for talkinw ssYou bet," and
''To be sure, honey" -4.-saa -
f. "A SPECIMEN OF NEGRO oRAToRY.
After this scene had continued for
nearly half an. shour. Mr.. Hahn, the
Speaker of the House, a.cended the
fplatfOrm and motioned the young
man with the red neck tie to find some
other seat He then took the chair,
land by diAt of hard shouting succeed
eed in restoring some degree of order.
Then he stated that the question was
upon q motion to call four members
before the bar Of the House for con-
tempt in having refused to vote upon
| a report OF the Committee on Elections
and fol-, thus breaking the quorum OF
the House. Upon this Demas, Repre-
sentative from, st. Johns parish,
Jumped to his feet, and was, recos-
,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 col
leagues were too tired to create fur
ther disturbances, he was listened to
with some attention. For a moment
after he had been accorded the floor,
he stood without speaking word,
gazing upon his associates with an
assumption of dignity that was truly
laughable. Hs is a short, stout man,
with I very large head, thick lips, and
glaring eyes. AS I have already
stated, he is very black. His immense
head was closely shaved, and his face
smooth. He was dressed with a de-
gree of taste not TO be looked for in
such an assemblage. His coat and
pantaloons were of fine black broad
cloth. He wore well-washed white
vest, spotless linen, and broad black
cravat. His monster hands were COW
cred with pair of new lavender col
ored kid gloves. With that keen ap-
probation of dramaticisituations which
is one Of the leading characteristics of
the negroes Of the Southern States,h he
continued to stand in his place, max
ing no motion aud net opening his
mouth. One of his hands rested upon
the back Of his chair, aud the other he
had thrust into the bosom of his vest.
Many of the black spectators looked
upon him with evident admiration,
and as he stood the confusion on the
floor of the House ceased entirely.
Then he spoke substantially as fol-
lows: Missa Speaker and other
gemmen of dis, .herS House: You
have just heard a motion made to call
four lawful representatives of the peo-
pie befo' the bar to answer for con-
tempt, dat they would not vote for a
measure which they knowed was
wrong. One of them members was
me, Demas, who represent in dis Leg
islatnre the people, white and black,
of the good Parish of st. John the
Baptist. Dis gemman 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 can attempt has
been made here to-day to stop debatin
and interfer' with de rights of gem
men by preventin' of free discussion.
Dis rs opposed to. What does we
come here for? What for but to talk
advise together, and discussion of
questions for the good of the people"
Oats so, sure 'nough," cried several
of the members, and Demas contin-
ued: '.Dat bein so, rs gown to have
my right of debate, an amt gowin'
to vote on no question iwhar the dis
cussion is stopped. sides that, rs
told that the gemmen as is a claiming
of seats here war not legal elected
and, quorum or no quorum,
Republican party or no party,
amt gown to go agin the Returning
Board. Dat Board declared | was le
gal elected, and rs gown TO stick to
them. ! feel dat way, gemmen, and l
amt goin to do no different; SO now
call me fore the bar of the House, or
do what you like, but l won't vote on
dis here question, SO sure as my name
am Demas, from the parish of ST. John
the Baptist"
AT the close of his speech Mr.. De-
mas sat down amid loud applause and
some laughter. -.E
STATE DEBT.-The State debt of
Illinois is 81, ,45O, 900. payable at inter-
walls du-ing the next three or four
years.-But the income of the State
d. 4