Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-03-04
Mr.. Wise's Kitchen.
CoIored Legislators on John s. Wise.

Mr.. Wise's Kitchen. -
COIOred LEGISLATORS on John 3. Wise.
THEY RISE IN RAPID SUCCESSION TO CUES
TIONs OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE AND
DENY EVER HAVING BEEN RECEIVED IN
THE CoNGREssMAN's KITCHEN.
Soon after the House of Delegates met
Wednesday, Mr.. Dodson, (colored,) from
Mecklenburg, arose to question OF per
sonal privilege. He read an extract from
the National Republican, reproduced in the
Washington letter to the Dispatch, or rath-
er it was published in all the papers which
published the testimony in the Danville in
vestigation which has been in progress in
Washington for several days.
The extract was part of the testimony
of Congressman John S. Wise before the
Danville committee, and was as follows:
"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 riff-raff of New York
who voted the Democratic ticket"
When Mr., Dodson mentioned the name
Of John s. Wise everybody seemed to know
what was coming, and pleasant smile
played upon the faces of the Democratic
members.
THE FIRST GUN.
81 understand, Mr.. Speaker" said Mr..
Dodson, as he held copy of the paper CT n
tanning the extract which seemed to deeply
touch the colored members of the House,
ssthat the reason Mr.. Wise said this, was to
H. %ha on10rad
| members of the General Assembly of Vir-
ginia do not desire social equality. As far
as he went to show that we are not anxious
for social equality it met my heart support.
| The gentleman's remarks may be under
stood to apply to me. As far as am con-
cerned, don't know where the gentleman
IMr. Wise] lives. will say that when
shall 90 to see him, / shall not go in his
Kitchen"
At this point the House was convulsed
with laughter, which increased when Mr..
Harris, another colored member, arose to
question of personal privilege in relation
to the same extract.
HITTING AT HAM.
Said Mr.. Harris: ''sBeing a son of Ham
and one of the members of the General As
sembly of Virginia, want to say That
think my conduct on this floor to the white
race no matter what their political BELLE
may be, speaks for itself, and that as ar
individual never attempted to force social
equality; therefore it is not necessary fOl
me to say that as representative Of my
people am not anxious to force this thing,
which has occurred SO frequently in the
self, and cannot be regulated by law OF
, force. As member of the General Assem-
bly, of Virginia will say that when go to
see gentleman on business, I would like
to see him at his Office Or place of business
where any other gentleman would be re.
ceived, and not be asked to go in his kitch
en-. If Mr. Wise meant what he said it hac
no reference to me, for do not know where
Mr.. Wise lives. | could not find his house
except by direction, and | am not one Of
that number that saw him in his kitchen. y
THE HOUSE IN GlGGLEs.
, The House again INDUCED in hearty
laughter as Mr.. Harris concluded his re
marks, and when Mr.. Bland, of Prince
George and Surry arose, the scene was al
; most indescribable, The oolored delegates
were hot, and when they arose one after an
other in rapid succession to take exception,
at the remarks of Congressman Wise, whom
they doubtless recognized the day before Al
a bold champion of their rights, the situa
ton became more and more interesting t.
the House and to the many visitors on thu
floor at the time.
Mr.. Bland was very pointed, and he seem
ed to wish the House to hear every wore
he uttered. Said he: 81 have never sough
Mr.. Wise in his kitchen. Two years ago
wanted to see Mr.. Wise could have seel
I him upon this floor, where he was frequent
ly SEEM"
THE PAST RECALLED.
e The speaker was evidently referring to tn
frequent visits Mr.. Wise made to the Legis
lature when Jersey Jones had his eye
on the judgeship of the Hastings Court o
Richmond. Continuing. Mr.. Bland said; &c
never went to Mr.. Wise's kitchen, and new
, er cared to go there either.''
Mr.. Archer Scott, the colored membe
from Amelia and Nottoway, next got tn
t floor.
DOUBTS AS TO THE KITCHEN.
81 should not have word to say, Mi
Speaker said he, elf the question did no
strictly refer to members of the Legislature
have been a member of this Legislature
for seven years. AS have had no bushes
7 with Mr.. Wise in my life never approach
en- is concered, if the gentleman has kitch
en- don't know anything about it,
At these remarks there was renewe,
t laughter, and some member remarked soft
roce, ''the plot is thickening."
a STILL ANOTHER.
No sooner had Mr.. Scott taken his sea
! than Mr.. Griggs, the colored member from
Prince Edward, arose. Said he: "Mr
Speaker, this is the first time l have ha'
anything to say since I have been in thu
: Legislature. I will say now that hav
r never found Mr.. Wise's house, neither do
know that he has a kitchen"
There were three more colored member
left-Messrs. Griffin, Armstead Green, ant
, Wheeler. The latter will be remembered
b as the one who got off day or two ago
great oratorical effort on January and De
ccmber pigs in connection with fence Law
$ for Lunenburg county. These three mem
bers did not speak, but their facial expires
sions indicated that they endorsed the re
marks made by their legislative brothers
sTENoeRAPHIC REPORT ASKED FOR.
When the colored members concluded
4 Mr.. Gibson, (Democrat,) from Culpeper il
r that style and manner peculiarly his own
r moved that stenographic reports of tn
oPCcCuCo VI tuo IutuUerS WHO nave JUS
spoken be taken and sent at once to the
; Danville Committee in Washington. This
. evoked renew ed laughter, and the humor o
the House at this point beggared descrip
ton. Several Democratic members, 81
tickled at the rubbing given to Congress
man Wise, came over to the reporters desk
and asked, as smiles played on their faces
- if the reporters had caught the speeches.
: On the next day, Thursday, soon afte
the House proceeded to business, Mr..
F, Armstead Green (colored,) from Peters
burg, arose to question Of personal priv
, lege in relation to the remarks of Hon
A John 8. Wise before the Danville Investi
eating Committee at Washington.
Said he: Mr.. Speaker, I did not indulge
in any remarks yesterday when the coloret
= members arose to questions of privilege
Because did not say anything, of course
| was considered as acquiescing in what the
other colored members said. Well, per-
haps this is so. As far as the Hon. John
S. Wise is concerned, he meant members o.
the Legislature and colored members a
: that. I am here to say, as far as lam con