The bee., 1883-05-12
BETHEL LITERARY.

i DIsGRACEFUL SCENE LAST TUESDAY,
TWO ASSES IN THE CHAIR-THE GAG
LAW STILL PREvAILING-RACE DE-
vELoPMENT-MUTUA ADMIRATION
DEBATE-CoL. NJ. u. HOLLAND DE-
NOUNCED PROF. R. T. GREENER-
THE ENGLISH CLOWN AND Ass BY
THE NAME LAWSON, BROKE Up THE
MEETING.
Last Tuesday evening one of the
most disgraceful scenes was witnessed
that ever took place in Literary Or
ganiZation. Professor r. I. Greener
was introduced and read a paper on
race developments. The gentleman
spoke of the educational and political
developments of the race and conclud-
ed by reading one of brother GARDENERS
humorous pieces. After the reading
of the paper by Mr.. Greener, the Eng
lish clown invited the audience present
to discuss the paper, he leaving the
chair as usual and put Jesse Lawson
in the chair, who knew as much how
to preside as an ass. He has no knowl-
edge of parliamentary law and his rul-
ing was inconsistent, ridiculous and
Lnwise that caused the meeting to
brake up in confusion. The clown
occupied the floor. about twenty
minutes, making play upon words,
after which Mr.. Chase attempted to
discuss the political development of
the race, since Mr.. Greener discusse it,
but the two asses who presid-
ed alternately ruled the dis
cussion ont of order stating
that political development of the race
was not under discussion. Mr.. Chase
attempted to show that as well as ed
ucational development of races was
being considered the people OF the
country, Especially the colored people,
need political development and to
show that Mr.. Greener says one thing
in meeting and writes sometheng
else just to the contrary. Mr.. Chase
started to read an alleged interview
that appeared in the Connecticut Com
merciNl, which Professor Greener adj
mitted that he was the author. Mr..
Greener stated ''that he who loves that
race should see that it is developed"
Mr.. Chase stated that that paragraph
struck him more fOrcibly than any and
that he would like for Mr.. Greener to
answer the following question. Sup
pose there are some who endeavor to
develop the race politically and one
should attempt to retard or impede
such development what kind of a per-
son would the distinguished gentlman
call him? after the lepse of twenty sec
onds Mr.. Greener gave an ambiguous
answer. At this juncture one of the
asses called time. Mr.. A st. A. Smith
! followed and was about to discuss the
political development Of the race when
| he was called to order. Mr.. Smith
caused the chair Mr.. Lawson to show
his ignorance of parliamentary law by
previously admitting Mr.. Chase to
read the extract of Greener's interview
and not allowing Mr.. Smith to discuss
it which treated upon race develop
ment politically notwithstanding
Mr.. Smith made an enthusiastic speech
and 50 completely did he dissect Mr.
Greener and his paper that the ap-
plause lasted fully fifteen seconds.
Mr.. G. c. Smith got the floor, yielded
it to Mr.. Chase, to allow him to finish.
Ass Lawson, consulted the clown and
for once the clown and the ass agreed
that Mr.. Chase could not
speak twice, as it was against the
rules of the association. Col. NJ. NJ.
Holland followed and an attempt was
made to cut him off as usual, but
owing to the demands of the audience
Col. Holland was allowed to speak.
Mr.. Holland made an eloquent speech
in defense of Hon. Fred Douglass,
and the committee who had issued the
call for convention of colored men.
He said that the whole object of the
convention was to develop the race,
socially, morally, educatiOnally and
politically, and any attempt by Il man
like Richard T. Greener, who had been
kicked out OF office. The meeting adj
| iOurnp1 in con f,,Sion