USA > North Carolina > The last of the carpet-baggers : a dramatic account of Southern legislation during the first seven or eight years after the war : a burlesque on Negro legislation in the South > Part 2
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fuss wid him, Id jis as soon wark.
F Then if I understand the mat- ter, the conductor put you off the train because you could not pay your fare ?
B No sa, he didnt put me off ; he jis picked me up dis way, [taking hold of neck and seat of pants) and frowed me bout 16 feet and stuck my head 2 feet in de mud, broke my neck and splashed my cloves all ober, he did. (Bill and Farmer pass on. ]
Peter Swingback, col [enters, walks, leaning very much back, has on artificial hands, about a foot long, and an extraordinary large pair of shoes, an old beaver hat, a long old overcoat, .and tight pants, made of patches with, high standing paper collar, a piece of rope, with ends untwisted for a neck tie ] Say boy, say, [calling to a white boy] any 'fumery stores down dis way ? I's not 'quainted down here ; I's a repentative ob de regislator ; jist got to de sitty.
Boy (scampers off and makes fun of him]
Peter Yer little rascal ! If I jist had yer by de ears I'd make yer see stars ! [shaking his fists in a threaten- ing mannner)
Police (steps out and takes him by the collar) What does all this fuss and cavorting mean here in the streets ? You must go to the lock- up.
Peter (trembling, badly frightened) Is you de Mister bulliece ?
Police I am the police.
Peter Wel! den, I jist axed dat wite boy fer some 'formation 'bout de 'fumery store, an he comtempted me werry much, an I jist said what de bulliece or ter do wid 'im if da had him by de neck. I did nuffin mesef. Mister bulliece ; I's a repentative to de legislatur an I's jist huntin de fumery store to git some draps.
Police You can go this time, but you must not make an interruption in the streets, You will find a store of that kind over there. [ pointing to one)
Peter (goes over)
Merchant Walk in ; what will you have ?
Peter Some 'fumery. I's a reben-
tativo ob de legislatur in I want some 'tu nery draps 'Twee de me tia. Mea What kinh, ant ho mach will you have ?
PETER 'Sp rea gall m ob de col- loon will be nutf.
MER (sends a careless boy, who, through mistake, draws a gullon of aq- uifortis) Dick. draw this mina gul- lon of cologne (hands it to him)
PETER How much am de brice ?
MER Three dollors. (receives the money) Dont you want some fine rings ? Here are some nice ones. (e.c- hibiting some tin ones )
PETER What da wort ?
M Twelve and one half cents each
PETER (hands the merchant one dollar) I takes one dollars worf |re- seives his rings, takes his jug and ea, ves)
PETER (meets Joe Smith, colored.) Hello, Mifter Smifth, I's jist been down to de 'fumery store to git 'sply. I's not gwine to put it on till de regis- latur meets, do.
Merchant (discovers the mistake after he is gone) Dick, I will have to turn you off for your willful careless- ness ; you will ruin my trade ; you gave that fellow a gallon of nitric ac- d-aqua fortis, instead of the cologne as directed. It will take all the wool off his head and skin off his back !
Enter
Jacob Hatfield, Dem. J Q Milligan, Dem. Thomas Bullfinch, Rep. Will- am Killgore, Dem: Joe Smith olored Bill Bobkins, col. Pete Swingvack, col. Sam Cobbler, col. Berry H Crow, col. ֏ W V White, col.
Mr Killgore (rising) 1 nominate Jacob Hatfield, Esq., as speaker of he House of Representatives.
Berry Crow I name de gate Jule Squashins as de Sneaker ob de house b prewensions. He's de greates' han in all Calleedosh county, he in
Killgore (puts the vote and counts Hat field elected, who takes the speak- r's seat) (rising) I move we go into he election of a principal clerk ; and or that position, I nominate Mr Buck am.
Berry C I's got no 'jection to de
black our ; I wits fral de adul fokes.
Sonder Hitfuld ( puts the cote and he is elected)
Killgore Mr Speaker, I now move the house goes into an election for As- sistant Clerk, an I for that purpose, I nominato Mr Hornfi Id.
Goo White Mitter Streaker, T'es habbia sonne 'jetion ; ter d : Corafids. I's been in die cornfils all de days mv life, lis, an' I's now, at dis 'ticlar time, 'posed to any mo cornfi: Is.
Speaker (puls the vote and he is elected.)
Mr Milligan. I move that the house go into an election for Princi- pal Doorkeeper, and for that purpose I nominate Mr Bowersprout.
Sam Cobbler I's no 'jection to dat ; golly ! fellers, dat gemmen vominated de sour krout for de floorsleeper. Lookout, nigga ! some you go up de srpout, fust ting yer know.
Speaker (puts the vote and he is elected)
Milligan I now move that the house go into an election for Assist- ant Doorkeeper, and for that purpose I nominate Mr Black as Assistant.
Bill Bobkins I's gwine to pose-
Sam Cobbler Set down, Bill ; yer don' no nuffin ; he's gwine ter wote far his black sister.
Speaker The vote now is for Mr Black for Assistant Door keeper. (puts the vote and he is elected)
Mr Milligan I move the adoption of the following order : That the rules for the government of the House of Commons, adopted at the session of the last Legislature, be taken for the government of this body until oth- wise ordered.
Sam Cobbler Idon't 'zactly 'stan' dat
Speaker (interrupts and explains) It means the same rules for the house of Commons-
Sam Cobbler (interrupting) Well, sa, I's 'posed to all de commons fools commin here an' bodderin us in our 'fessional bliberations.
Speaker (puts the vote which is carried) A message has just been re- ceived from the Senate, proposing that
و
committee of two be appointed on he part of each house, to wait upon Iis Excellency, the Governor, and in- orm him that the two Houses are ful- y organized and are ready to receive ny communication he may have to nake. (agreed to)
Mr Milligan In order to complete he further organization of the two ouses, I move a message be sent to he Senate, proposing to ballot forth- rith for three engrossing Cleyks, and lace in nomination Messrs Starbuck, Bassborn and Mr Freeman.
Geo White Wot's dat Mister ? Say at agin.
Speaker (explaining) Mr Milligan roposes the names of Messrs Star- uck, Bassborn and Freeman for en- rossing Clerks.
Geo White Yeth sa, I 'stands it ow ; de propertition is to delect mis- rable sorry buck, cows-horn and free- rom, ter go inter de grocery bizness. it's all right, dat is.
Speaker A message has just been .ceived from the Senate, concurring the proposition to go at once into 1
election for three engrossing lerks. (puts the question and the ree are elected.)
Speaker A message has been re- ived from the Senate proposing to at once into an election for Public 'inter ; and have placed in nomina- n Messrs Williams & Hoskins. Joe Smith Yeth sa . I know wot t means. He's de man wot prints r'publican piper, he is. He's been ·kin to urs on de subjec ob dat biz- 38. I want ebery cullad gemmen 'e to 'scribe to Mifter Hotskins fur ; bivness.
Speaker Is the house ready to e for Public Printer? (puts the to go into election, and then for nter. Hoskins elected.) il, Killypore Mr Speaker ; as
irmin of the committee appointed vait upon the Governor, we beg e to report that we have discharge hat duty, and that the Governor transmit a communication at 12 ock to-morrow.
I Milligan I move that the house
proceed to the election of an enrolling Clerk, and I place in nomination Mr Wheeler.
Joe Smith Yeth sa ; 'rolling qurk ! yeth sa, I's heard my ole massa offen tell 'bout rollin one way and den de odder way, an querkin dis way an den de odder way ; an now dars gwine ter be all dem tings done right har 'fore ebery body.
Speaker (puts the vote)
Speaker (raps with his gavil) For the information of the house I an- nounce the following ten standing committees. The names of the Rep- resentatives composing the several committees, are printed on these slips : (handing a slip of paper to each mem ber)
A Committee on Propositions and Grievances-on Privileges and Elec- tions-on Claims-on the Judiciary Internal Improvements-on Banking and Currency-on Corpora- tion-Military affairs-on ture Agricul-
Special committes will be announ- ced as they are ordered from the house.
( At this stage, Messrs Kilgore arl Milligan have a cigar, each, half smoked, which they throw away, also the doorkeeper arrives with the mail, and distributes a newspaper and not. less than one letter to each. All com. mence reading. A colored young Di- nih is primpal at an appropriate ; plus, and a country derky has been making love to her. Jos Smith and G W V What's to alles out of the hell and 8398 these stumpy of cigars, pies them w), living in their pockets, each, a half cigar, prepared for the occ ssion; which they light and commence smoking with dignity and co ..... ure ; the country lover appro this and salutes them and enters into a conversation with J. ; the other member quietly gets moty, and intro- duces himself to the colored lass, and begins to make love to her, which is quite agreeable on her part. )
Country Negro, Ned Howde-do uncle ; how'd you do ?
Joe Smith Ah ! I's in mity falin' helpth. I's got mo 'sponsibility cian my whisical construfusion kin sub- sport. I's de 'portantest regulator in de mectin, I is ; jist lookey, Ned !
your name Val? ( Nel says.
y now ; (exhibiting his committee r) dis tormittee bivies nuff to e anyholy's construfusioa right ro, in de millle, and den split wood ob de res' ; oh ! how my akes, Jist, jist looky here, Ned ! de tormittee on Prisileges an' ctions ; dat means de relections le prisilgers ; you unerstan dat, ?
ed (shakes his head, 'don' un'- dat)
e You iggerant nigga you don't uffin, Den Ned dar's de tormittee e Cranes ; dats de tings what flys de riber ; course any nigga un- tand dat. Den dar's de Judis- ; I hant studied dat yit. Den s de tormittee on Intenal brove- ts, dat is de werry ting ; dat ns all de good eatens for to 'prove t ob de inards. Den dar's de one e Bakin an de Currences ; dat fol- de oder one on eaten ; dat is de rences is to be baked in de pie .- dar's de one on de copperation ; oase dat natrally follers de oder So you kin see how de :prewen- yes ob your Regulator 'abstains construfusions by cours ob de ess. Now, Ned, I's gin you a lu- d extrigation ob dis whole bufness yon may know 'bout it in de con- on dat you shud eber be prompted ich high an unwardable pardition. at you doin in town here anyhow, l ? 'Speck you makin fire sparks ewhar. We know if de truff, as vite foks wulgardly cauls dat buf- . Now, Ned, aint you got a swet. somewhar down here ?
ed Dat are de rumination in de nity.
e I'd wise you to look out fur slegislator gemmens ; da's mon- in sashnatin darselfs into de gra. ness øb de young lagies ; da is. returns to his dinah and finds G W V e making love to her. Ned tries all sorts 's to win her smiles but to no purpose.) ed Dinah ! Dinah ! Don't you v me ? Don't you know me, my ise ? [She turns her back upon vith. a flirt of contempt.]
d I wish all dem niggas ,wat
loners to dat m I glator op dar wiz pakel up in a holler tree an I had all de fire an de brinstone in de whole ob de miguration ob de wurld, I'd smoke em till de possum grease would scorch de roots ob de tree. Dat. gal's jist sli- ded back on dis boy, Ned, kase dat 'fluten black niggaslator went cortin 'bout her ; Ise gwine ter let her know dat dis chile am no sworry bean ; Lis dat. I's not gwine ter plastercation wid her any mo ; so I an't.
( Ned retires ; Geo White returns to the house ; Dinah retires)
Sp aker (raps with gavil) Mr. Killgore Mr Speaker, I wish to introduce a bill to amend the Char- ter of the Green Swamp Company. ( Doorkeeper receives them)
Milligan Mr Speaker, I desire to introduce a bill entitled "An act to amend an Act concernig the govern- ment of counties, and have it placed on the Calendar.
K Mr Speaker, I wish to intro- duce a bill instructing the Attorney General to inquire into the qualifica- tion of persons holding office in this State, and have it referred to the Ju- diciavy Committee.
Mil Mr Speaker, I send a bill to the clerk's desk, which I wish placed on the calender and made the special order for next Monday at 12 o'clock. I will read the bill by its title for the information of the house. It is a Bill for the better protection of cattle against the ravages of distemper.
Speaker If there be no objection the bill will take that course. The chair heais no objection.
Speaker It will be so aeferred.
Joe S Mifter Streaker, I's wishin to induce a bill for de 'tection ob de hookin caugh
SWINGBACK I claims to offer a- mendments to dat bill of Joe Smifth's
S The representative is out of or- der. No amendinent can be offered at this stage of the proceedings ; the house will proceed in the regular or- der of business which is the introduc- tion of bills.
SWINGBACK Mr Beake:, I claims dat I is in de bourger ; yoch sa ; I's in de bourger ob dis congergasbin, an
got de 'bility to mend dat bill ob Smith's
(raps) The representative will his seat. Business cannot be dis hed unless the house proceeds in r.
DE S Ah, nigga, tshit down. You gry) Yeth sa, we, de cullud paplarna-
got nuff sense to frow a blind e ober de fence. You han't got b larnin, you hant. I dont know dem fool nigga's down dar thort t lectin nigga like you 'dwout lar- uff to know anysing 'bout de ger ob dis here reguslator.
ngback collars Joe and they have it for a nonute when three others interfere and ate them)
(raps furiously) Take your ; the house must preserve order. er is restored)
le house will proceed with the r of business.
ILLGORE Mr Speaker, I hold in and a bill for the purpose of im- ing and maintaining the public s, which I wish to introduce, and referred to the Committee on s, ferries and bridges,
The bill will take that course ss otherwise ordered.
LL BOBKINS Mr Squeaker, I's ter offor a bill to de-bolish all de s, querries and ridges, fur de takes to keep em, worked is mo da's all worfth. De cullud fokes ' truble de rods no how, if da ake to de woods.
The representative is out of or- he can introduce his bill, but ot speak on its merits, until it s up, on its passage, under the ·
B Begins to look like ebery out ob orger de las' frue days. a cant say nuffin, ceptin he's out orger.
(raps) The Representative must his seat.
B I wish all de wite 'stocracy xchufigated out ob de country, e cullud poplarnation oud make vn laws an hab dar own gubern- heap better dan dem wite fokes
(raps) The representative can- indulged further; he must
take his seat. The representative's language is seditious, disorderly and disrespectful to the house and can not be tolerated.
BOBKINS (shakes his fist at the Speaker in contempt, and is very an- tion ob dis country, hab got de pow- ers ; an we's gwine to put de bottom rail on de top rail ; an we's gwine to make de wite 'stocracy 'habe dar selfs An den we'll know wheder we's 'dish- us orgerly an spectful-
S (interrupting) The representa- tive is proceeding in open violation of the rules of the house, and unless he takes his seat, at once, I shall daom it my duty to have the rules enforced in a summary manner. ( Bill takes his scal)
MILLIGAN Mr Speaker, I beg leave to introduce a resolution, fixing the per diem and mileage of the members of this General Assembly
BOB (interrupting) Mr Sbeker, I's 'posed to diein em by de mile, I is-
S Take your seat, . You do not comprehend the purport of the resolu- tion-
BOBKINS (interrupting) Yeth sa, I's comprefended ob de report ob de revolution ; yeth sa, hit means misthi- chuf, hit does ; hit means de wite foks diem ! dat is da kill de nigga by de mile ; dar's juklux in dat "ting, dar is ; dar's 'cepshun-heap 'ceptshun in de bery bottom ob de bery flounde: a- tion ob dis buifness (speaks in car- nest-
MILLIGAN M: Speaker, I want to know who has the floor-
BOBĶINS Yeth sa, Mr Sbeaker, who has de floo ? Who knows but wot dars a throusand ob dem jukluta under de floo right dis minit. Dem jukluts am de greatest, dings wot de nigga am fraid ob, da is. Da kill nig- ga fore he knows whar hit cums frum. I's 'posed to all sich revolutions as dat one, which dat gemmen perjuces in dis general ob de Sompies .-
S (interposing) The representa- tive's tears are entirely uncalled for ; his suspicionn are baseless-altogeth- er unfounded. For the representa- tives information, I will explain, that
solution just introduced by the still in order.
sentative from the county of St. ards, is intended, if it passes eneral Assembly, to fix the t of pay each representative is eive, in money, for every day ssion of the Legislature contin-
KINS Oh ! ho! he, he, ha, ha ; de case, dis prewentative ne-wer me till all de money's 'wided. ised dat I's so miss comprefend whole desport ob de rebolution. ers onflushed wen I gits de ns ob de jugluts on de .nine. n me 'bout fourteen hundred san splashes one time, da did, an dis Juwentative am not on intrimate sterms since dat nite deserlations. Dat was a big dat wus ; hit was a solumen wid dis one ob de preple's rep- tatives, do' ; I jist say dis much m fellers wot juglutted me dat am guilty ob de most hi-e-ne- rimes ob stealin a ship-
[interrupting ] You mean sheep ? BKINS Yeth sa, da jist piked it ight whar dey resticated me, but de ticlars ob dat sheep dis repre- tive members nuffin.
E SMITH Tinterposes] Bill, set dar ; you's jist 'sposen yersef all dese fokes ; yer hant got nuff ter freed a puddler dorg, ant ; you s de most unphilicated , in de zemble ob de regislator- [raps] This desultory debate t be indulged further. Repre- tives mast taks their seats and rve order. [they are seated]
The gentleman from St Bula- s, is entitled to the floor for the ose of concluding his remarks in ence to the disposition of his res- on.
ILLIGAN Mr Speaker, all that I to add in reference to my Res- on, is, that it be referred to the nittee on finance, with instructions that committee report the same to this house, as early as may be enient.
Ifthere be no objection the reso n will be so referred. The intro- on of bills and resolutions is
KILLGORE Mr Speaker, I have pre pared a number of bills, which I now wish to introduce, and have referred to the appropriate committres. I will read them by their titles : A bill to alter the time of holding the courts in the several districts of this State-
SAM COBBLER (interrupting) Mr Screbei, I's in favor ob rewalishing dem corts altogeder ; da's de most ag- grawatenest instertrusions ewer gor- banized in de wide world, da is ; I's had some 'speriences wid em ; da brested dis individual wid a praper wot sed I wus scharged wid habbin de waggrant acc, an da jess took me to one ob dem courch housers, an da tarked all ober de waggrant bivness an a man wot set way up-he was mi- ty gashious lookin feller, he was ; an he jist said I wus cornwicted ob de goppler bivness wot I's been tarkin bout befo', an dat man tol' de sheriff man to take me out and gib me t'irty- nine slashers on de bare back, wich he did refectuly I bleve he gin me nuffin less dan fow hunded fore he quit. I tol' my mudder 'bout dat translaction, an she jist sed dat I wus bornd in de werry wust ob de whole season ob de year. Now sa, I's in fa- vor ob de rewalisliin ob de courches, I is,
KILLGORE Mr Speaker, I call the representative to order
S The gentleman will state his point of order
KILLGORE The bill which I have introduced, is not now before the house for discussion, and therefore all debate on the merits of the bill is out of ørder till it comes up regular- ly on its passage.
S The point of order is well ta- ken. The representative from the county of Brushbane will therefore take his seat-
SAM C Mr Sbreker, I jist warnte to disprach my disbrovement on de ---
S (raps) Take your scat, or the Seargeant at arms will be directed to take you in charge, and bring you be- fore the bar of the house for a flagrant disrespect of its rules-
SAM C Yeth sa, I's 'deprendent
le wagrant bivness, now, I is ; I's wentative ob de preplers, I is. is seized by the seargeant at arms, sts, is knocked down, hurt badly, seriously, only painful ; he gets sits on his seat ; the seargent re- ;; Sam gets up, goes out mad and tering) Dat man is sultshus man, s ; he sulted me in de mos' mellic- lly way ewer ; I's been sultured how, he he he ! I'll see dat feller, t dis, an if I kaint make it up wid I'd jist better let 'im lone in de ire, I had dat.
( Returns and takes his seat.)
The gentleman will proceed with introduction of his bills. ILLGORE A bill to establish spe- Criminal courts, &c. A bill to ge the time of paying the State county taxes. A bill to incorpo- the Southern Dental Association. resolution concerning the proper- f the State. A bill to incorporate great Southern Land and Lumber pany. A bill to amend the Con- tion of the State. A bill for the f of certain sheriff's. A bill regul- g the granting of law licences. A. to continue in force and amend ct entitled "An act to authorize ain counties and towns to issue ds for their indebtedness." A bill xtend the authority of sheriff's and r officers in cases of arrest. A to charter the Fairview Manufact- g Company. A bill to amend an entitled "An act in relation to mage licences," A bill for the er protection of the fishing inter- on the coast and in the large riv-
A bill to regulate the manner of ling elections and making returns ections.
bill to provide for the collection ixes by the State and by the coun- of the State on property, polls incomes.
Resolution positioning the mem- of Congress from this State to their endeavors to have certain mail routes speedily opened. A regulating proceedings upon im- hments. A bill to regulate pro- ng upon writs of habeas corpus. E SMITH Mr Beaker, I's 'poged
to dat horgus corgus ; I is-
S (raps, and Joe dodges)
Take your seat. (sits down)
KILLGORE (continues) A bill to provide forms in proceedings before justices of the peace. A bill to incor- porate the Castle Vineyard Company. A bill to incorporate the Cone Moun- tain Mutual Life and Fire Insurance Company. A bill to prohibit the prac tice of carrying concealed weapons, making it a misdemeanor. A bill in regard to regulating divorces.
(During the time of the introduction of the forejoing bills, Mr has been outside, log-rolling with the colored members in order to secure the passage of his bill)
Bul. Mr Speaker, I wish to intro- ance a bill and have it placed on the Calendar, as its paramount importance demands that the General assembly shall take it up and pass it withont de lay. It is a bill authorizing the State to issue sixteen million of dollars, in State bohds, for the purpose of com- pleting certain railroads in this State, which are yet unfinished, and also for the purpose of constructing new works of internal improvements that the ur- gent interests of the State demand.
The title of the bill is : A bill to authorize the State to issue sixteen million dollars worth of bonds for the completion of certain unfinished Rail- roads, and for other purposes,
MR KILLGORE Mr Speaker, It is somewhat strange that a bill of suchi magnitude as the one just introduced, should not be referred to the commit- tec on Internal Improvements. A bill of its importance to the tax pay: ers of the State, ought not to be pass. ed without mature consideration. It ought to be carefully exa mined by the committee and reported back to this house, with the committee's endorse- ment, before any action is taken on its passage.
S The chair hearing objections, the bill will go to the Internal Im- provement committee, unless otherwise ordered.
MR BUL. Mr Speaker, I move the house order the bill placed upon the Calendar
Geo White I seckin de motsbin
at. (then puts his foot on some knee or shoulder and is by him ced down)
(puts the motion which is car- 'The bill will be placed on the ndar.
(continues) The morning hour ig expired, the house will now ed with the Calendar in its regu- rder
Bullfinch Mr Speaker, I move the house bill, No 319, be taken the Calendar and put upon its al readings. It is a bill to' au- ze the State to issue sixteen mill- of dollars of bonds for railroad oses.
The question is upon a suspen- of the rules to take from the nder, house bill, No 319, for the ose indicated. Is the house ready he question ? All in favor of the on will say 'I.' All opposed 'no.' .I's' have it. The bill will be
.
* *
Bill to be entitled an act to au- ize the State to issue sixteen mill- dollars worth of bonds for the pletion of all the unfinished "rail- Is of the State,
c. 1 The Public Treasurer is by authorized and directed to pro suitable blanks, to be used as Is of this State, amounting in the regate to sixteen million dollars, enominations of 100, 500 and 1,000 ars
sc. 2. Said bonds shall bear inter- ut the rate of 8 per cent per an- , payable semi-annually, on the of January and July respectively, of any funds in the public treasu-
EC. 3 Said bonds shall be properly ed by the Treasurer, and counter- ed by the Governor, who shall over said bonds, when completed, he presidents of said roads, ta- ; their receipts for the same.
EC 4 The bonds issued under this shall be placed in the hands of officers, in quantities prorato on estimated cost of construction, in such amounts as may be re- ed by said officers, after the 4th
day of next March.
MR BULLFINCH Mr Speaker, As I had the honor to introduce this bill, and as'I consider it the most impor- tant measure before the house, I ask your indulgence for a few moments, in order to enable me to explain its objects and for the purpose of im- pressing upon this house the necessity of its passage. Sir, every citizen of this great State must be aware of the importance of carrying on her great schemes of improvements to comple- tion. For want of more effective rail- road facilities, the commercial, agri- ' cultural, manufacturing and mineral interests are languishing. We are be- coming poorer and poorer every day. In fact, there is not a single interest in the State which is not suffering for want of a proper development of our railroad interests. Let us turn our eyes to the great States of the North and West ; There we see the country blossoming as the rose ; there we see all their great interests in a thriving and healthful condition ; and there we see the country checkered with rail- roads. Mr Speaker, it is hardly, one would think, necessary to detain the house on a question so plain as this. Are we always going to sleep, as it were, after the manner of old Rip Vanwinkle ? The time has come, sir for this people to throw off their long accustomed lethargy, and go to work in earnest to build up and improve their noble old State. Talk about her ability ! that is an idle waste of time. The State is amply able to en- gage in any enterprise which is calcu lated to improve her condition ; the investment will only tend to make her more able, as she will be constantly enriched by her development of thes» great interests. Sixteen millions of dollars invested in completing her railroads will be to her as good as thirty or forty millions in the shape of the best property in the State Then, the interest can be paid out of the earnings, and enough will be left therefrom to pay all the expenses of running the State government. I will not detain the house further. Ce: tainly, every member,' Democrats &;
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