Richmond planet., 1905-02-11
' { j * il NO 8.
Questionable Story.
GOV. YARDAMAN OFFENDS
Told an AnecdOte Regarding the
Observation-Disclosures Washington
Incident Which Contained a
Point That Was Hardly in
Place in the Convention
Hall.

New Orleans, La, Times-Democrat
Jan. %, 1906
After recounting an anecdote, in
which the Roosevelt Booker Washing.
ton incident was touched upon with
questionable decency, Gov, J. K. Var
daman OF Mississippi was interrupted
by member Of the cotton convention
yesterday afternoon, and. accepting the
hlnt, relinquisbed the floor.
In the midst Of busy period of the
AFTERNOON Gov. Ward daman walked On
the stage and took a seat, after inform.
ing Chairman Jordan that he wished to
make statement as chairman of the
committee on convention finances. He
was recognized by the chair, and after
making several announcements about
the funds of the convention began an
oration.
Chairman Jordan, probably foreseeing
such move on Gov. Vardaman's part.
stood by the table, and the Secretaries
OF the convention. who had not taken
sheir seats when Gov. Vardaman starr
ed 10 speak. stoo on the stage as zen.
tie mint TO the sp. ker that he was ''de-
laying the game"
But Gov. Vsrdaman was not TO be
subdued he SPOKE upon the general
themes that had been hammered into
the delegates for three long days. but
his dictlon was faultless and his elo.
quence col vincing, and he was oeca.
sionally applauded. Z So
AT length, however, the expected oc-
CURED, and Gov Vardaman mention
ed the Roosevelt Booker Washipctop
incident. 1t came in ON the tar of
that reminds me of story" and was
ae follows: -.zs.
- Il VIII tell , ou y ai.tie story OF the Ne
sro that was told me by friend of mine
up here in Mississippi. Soon aft er the ht.
tie dinner that was had in the White
House mp there at Washington, between
Booker L and Teddy daughter This
This old niger was the house man of
my friend. He was one of those old
habby mouthed big-footed, before the
war nigRers-the best niggers ON earth
too He had heard great deal of talk
about that and couldn't under stand il
One morning he went in TO make fire
and he noticed rhe gentle man living i'm
bed. and he said TO him, Good mornir Q.
boss o.
Good morning, John ~,
Look ere, boss what's all this ere
stun hear of this Mr.. President eating
dinnerr
"'Well.' he says. Uncle John, il
means just about what you heard. 1
~ declare, boss, you don't tell m,
that that white man Ike that niger
into his house and sit him at TIE dinner
table with his family?'
les. that was about it Uncle John.
'UmTh, well declar'
"'Uncle John, what do you think
ABOUT all that business anyhow
oh, boss. / don't know what I
think about it, but, / tell you one thing,
II this ere what hear is the truth about
awhlts man totiDg around with niger
that way, dopno what he going 10 do,
but that nigger's wife had better leave
him. y Esg ~
he delegates we're in humor to rel
ash reference to the Governors NET
theme, but when the finale of the story
was reached and the point exposed III a
applause and laughter was not as de,
clded as might have been. The story
was OF kind that is not generally told
either In convention halls or parlors.
Delegate T. r. Parker of Texas. who
was sitting on the platform, jumped TO
his feet and was at once recognized by
Chairman Jordan
II he gentleman from Texas has the
floor, said the chair an.
II beg the chairs PARDON. if I am
trespasslng upon your time" said Gov.
vardaman. turning toward the table.
81 know the convention HIS consider.
able unfinished business before it. and
will conclude"
There were several ladies in the hall
at the time the anecdote was told, and
there was sigh of relief among those
WHO realized what had been said when
Gov. VArdaman stepped from the stage