National Republican., 1884-02-29
MIR. M1sE,s KITCHEN.
Members OF the Virginia Legislature

Members OF the virginia Legislature As
sert They DO Not Know Its Location.
The passage Of Mr.. wise's testimony to
which exceptions arc taken was discussed In
the Virginia house of delegates, on Wednes-
day, as follows
Mr.. Dodson (colored), member from Meek
lenberg, rising to question of privilege, had
road from the press report Mr.. Wise's testi-
mony before tho Sherman committee, as fol-
lows:
"Colored members Of the legislature came
to his house to consult him, but they always
came to his kitchen. He did not suppose Mr..
Tilden admitted to his parlor the wharf-rats
and rlli.raf of New York who voted the
democratic ticket"
~ understand, Mr.. Speaker" said Mr..
Dodson, as he held copy Of the paper con-
tanning the extract, that the reason Mr..
Wise said this was to explain to tho commit
tee that the oolorcd members of tho general
assembly of Virginia do not desire social
equality. As far as he went to show that we
are not anxious for social equality, IL met my
hearty support. Tho gentlemans remarks
may be understood to apply to mo- AS far as
/ am concerned, / don't know whore the
gentleman (Mr. Wise) lives. i will say that
when shall go to SEQ him shall not 90 in
his kitchen"
Mr.. Harris got the floor. Being son Of
Ham, and one of the members of the general
assembly Of Virginia, want to say that
think my conduct on this floor to the white
race, no matter what theirpolitical belief may
be, speaks for itself, and that rs an individual
never attempted to force social equality;
therefore, 1t is not necessary for me to say
that l. as representative of my people, am
not anxious to force this thing, which has
occurred so frequently in the south. 1t is a
thing which will regulate itself and cannot
be regulated by law or force. As member
of the general assembly of Virginia l will say
that when | go to see gentleman on bus-
ness | would like to see him at his Office or
place of business, where any other gentleman
would be received, and not be asked to 90 in
his kitchen. If Mr.. Wise meant what he said
1t had no reference to me, for do not know
where Mr.. Wise lives. l could not find his
house except by direction, and / am not ono
OF that number that saw him in his kitchen"
Mr.. Bland, of Prince George and Surrey,
arose and said: 81 have never sought Mr..
| Wise in his kitchen. Two years ago, If /
wanted to see Mr.. Wise could have seen him
upon this floor, where he was frequently
| seem"
The speaker was evidently referring to
the frequent visits Mr.. Wise made to the leg
islature when Jersey" Jones had his eyes
on the judgeship of the hustings court of Rich
mond. Continuing, Mr. Bland said 81 never
went to Mr.. Wises kitchen, and never cared
to go there, either"
| Mr.. Archer Scott, the colored member from
Amelia and Nottoway, next got the floor.
| Il should not have O word to say, Mr..
Speaker" said he, ''if the question did not
directly refer to members of the legislature.
| have been member of this legislature for
seven years. As | have had no business with
Mr. Wise in my life l never approached him
on any subject So far as his Kitchen is con-
cerned, if the gentleman has kitchen
don't know anything about it,"
No sooner had Mr.. Scott taken his seat than
Mr. Griggs, the coored member from Prince
Edward, arose. Said he: "Mr. Speaker, this
is the first time have had anything to say
since have been in the legislature. / will
say now that have never found Mr.. Wise's
house, neither do / know that he has O
kitchen"
When the colored members concluded, Mr..
| Gibson (democrat), from Culpeper. moved
| that the stenographic reports of the speeches
| of the members who have just spoken be
taken and sent at once to the Danville com
mittee in Washington. ...
| By associated Press.
RICHMOND Feb. 2s.-In the house oi
delegates to-day Armisted Green, colored
arose to a question Of personal privilege, a
the other @ colored members did yesterday, il
relation to Congressman John S. Wise's state
ment before the Danville investigation com
mittee at Washington that when colored
members of the legislature came to consult
him they always came to his kitchen. Mr.
Green said:
| Mr.. Speaker did not indulge in any remarks
| yesterday when colored members arose to ques
tiOns of privilege. Because did not say anything
| of course was considered rs acquiescing in wha
| the other culored members said. Well, perhaps
this is SO as far as the Hon. John S. Wise Is con
| cerned. lie meant members of the legislature
| and colorcd members at that i am here to SAY
| that rs far as am concerned | never had any
transactions with the gentleman in my life. ! say
| to Mr. Wise, Gs do to the white population o.
this country, that nc never wants to use coloreC
| people for nothing but their votes never ex
pect to visit him in his parlor or IN his kitchen
| in his stable.
In the senate Nj. Atkinson introduced tn,
| following bill
| Whereas at the last election held for members o
congress, the judges of election were intimidated
| hindered ana delayed in the proper conduct o
said election by arrest on the part of officials of thu
| United States government; therefore, in order L
insure proper aud ialr elections TO all the people
| OF the commonwealth, be 1t enacted by tho gen
| ernl assembly of Virginia, that whenever judge
OF election snail be arrest cd and taken into Gus
tOdy, they SHAH either close the poll, canvass thu
votes, and make their returns, or the judges ar
rested shall have power and authority TO swear IL
| as judges of election so many as may be arrested
| or summoned MS witnesses from the bystanders
| who shall discharge the duties imposed upon tn,
| judges OF election by law.
/