The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-05-26
Mr.Johnson Waved Red Rag In the Face
of the "Nigger"- Hating Democrats.
He Merely Told the Truth About What the
President Has Done for the Colored Race
and the Southerners Flew lntoa Rage
They Attempted to Bulldoze theIndiana
Man, but He Would Not Permit Them.
One Of the Most Exciting Debates and Storm.
lest Scenes in the House This Session-Nr.
Sherman Speaks Against Free Coinage
STORMY SESSION OF THE HOUSE.

STORMY SESSION OF THE HOUSE.
Mr. johnson Arouses the Wrath OF the Dem
ocrats by Defending the President
srecial 10 the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. May 25.-Representativs
Henry L. johnson, of the Sixth Indiana
district, raised quite furor ID the House
to-day. An amendment had been proposed
to the suudry civil bill. sppropristing
800. 900 for q collection Of statistics on tho
development of the colored race since Jam
uary, 1868. for an exhibit at the worlds
fair. The amendment was overruled on q
point of order and an appeal taken from the
decision of the acting Speaker. Mr. Lester,
of Georgia. Speaking to the appeal. Mr..
johnson made an extended speech. show
ing what the Republican party had accom-
plished for the oolored race. and dwelling
particularly on the recognition which Pres
ident Harrison had bestowed on the col
ored men in federal patronage.
Mr.. Johnson's speech seemed to have
particular depressing effect on the South
ern Democrats. and they resorted to bull
DOING to take the young Indiana member
off the floor. but he maintain his ground
tion in q way that caused applause and
approval of such Republican leaders as
Burrows. Boutelle. Dalzell and Hit
Throughout Mr.. Johnson's speech and his
reference to Southern outrages there was
great excitement on the floor. Representa-
tive McMillin. of Tennessee, attempted to
bulldoze the Hoosier Representative by
raising point of order. and demanding
that he resume his seat McMillin's in
timIdation procedure was so outrageous
that it won the disapproval even of the
galleries. Mr.. Burrows came to Mr.. John
sons cause and approved the latters
course in holding the floor. All the while
there were many exhibitions of i'll temper
from the Southern Democrats. Grain. Of
Texas. making himself particularly dis
gusting by inviting o Republican outside
to settle a parliamentary wrangle. The
effort TO bulldoZe Mr. Johnson failing. he
concluded his speech amid great applause
and warm congratulations from Repub-
cool temper and ready repartee In the heat
of the most exciting scenes in Congress
this session.
HENDERSON STARTS THE TROUBLE.
When the debate begun Mr.. Henderson,
of Iowa. said that the colored people Of
this country numbered about one-eighth Of
our entire population, and yet the evidence
taken by the special committee at Chicago
disclosed the wonderful and amazing fact
that neither the President of the United
States (he said it with modification and
shame). nor the Governor of single State.
nor the government commission nor the
local corporation. nor the woman's COM
missIon-not one of these had given repre-
sentation to these eight millions of people.
President Harrison has given them no
representation. He could answer for him.
self. In all the State commissions not ono
single Governor had remembered his God
and his country and these people. Not ono
head of q department.. not one chief clerk.
not one officer of that vast army of en-
ploye had been selected from that element
OF our people. 1t was a shame, and he
proclaimed il with indignation In the
American Congress that it had not been
done. He believed that there were two or
three petty little places held by colored
men-piaces that did not rise to the dig
nifty of a barber. Only that and nothing
more" The civilized world was interested
In knowing what was coming from free
dom of these people.
Mr. johnson. of Indiana, replied TO what
he characterized as the remarkable
speech" of the gentleman from Iowa IN re-
gard to the failure of the President of the
United States to appoint colored man on
know whether or not the gentleman In.
tended To make o reflection on the Presi-
dent. lie did not suppose that he did. He
did not know whether the President Was
asked to appoint colOred men. The Presi-
dent of the United States had during his
entire life been a firm. unswerving and
consistent friend of the coiOred men. It
ought not TO be forgotten that the Presi-
dent had stood in favor of q just measure
of national relief. which. If passed by Con-
gress. would have provided for the super
vision of national elections whereby the
colOred people of the South would have the
right to cast their votes and to have them
counted. The President has stood for the
measure known as the force bill when men
with less courage failed to stand up for the
pledges of the Republican party.
The allusion 10 the force bilp' brought
q number of Democrats to their feet and
Mr.. johnson was deiuged with questions.
but the confusion was so great that the
only query heard was one propounded by
Mr.. Richardson. of Tennessee. as to whether
the President was In favor OF the force Dill
now.
JOHNSON SHAKES ANOTHER RED RAG.
Mr.. johnson replied that the President
was in favor of any system of constitu-
tional legislation that would guarantee 70
the lowliest man of the South the right to
cast his vote without fear. favor or intimi-
dation. He was surprised, In view Of the
appointments of the President. that the
imputation should be cast against him that
in the distribution of patronage he had not
recognized the colored man. He then cited
a list of colored men appointed by Presi-
dent Harrison to important Offices.
Then there was scene or great con-
fusion In the hall. Dozens of members
were on their feet. raising their voices and
crowding into the aisles. Mr.. johnson pro-
ceeded In vehement language to denounce
the treatment of the negro by the Demo-
cratic party of the Southern States. and az
he was as vehemently contradicted by q
number OF the members from the South the
House became perfect bedlam, the Chair
being utterly unable to secure the SEM
blance of order.
Mr.. Enloe. of Tennessee. asked the gen.
tleman whether. as he had put Harrison In
nomination, he had any objection to Civ
ing tho friends of Blaine and Alger q
chance
Mr.. johnson replied that he was in favor
of DONG for Blaine what the Democratic
politicians In New York who counted MIN
out bad refused to do-give him an oppor-
tunity to be heard.
A voice-How about 1S76f
Mr. Johnson-l am surprised that any
man would repeat that stale lie that Hayes
was fraudulently elected.
Mr.. johnson then proceeded to review
the Hayes-Iilden controversy and stirred
MP good deal of excitement. The con-
fusion became intense and nearly every
member was crowding around nr. johnson,
who was hurllng out his detances vehem-
emily and vociferously
Finally Mr.. McMillin rose to q point of