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 3
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as Republicans, present, will sup- a measure of such paramount in- st to the State.
am Cobbler Mifter Seeker, I's in or ob de sobjec ob dis bill, I is ; is sartin wisitationa dat makes me rified in woting fur wot will inter- imprubement de contry ; de pre- warnts bivness an 'spectfully de ud poplernation ob dem ; den, why lis obsterjections an frowin all des trictions in de way uv wot is ter up an bustrify de stake. Dis is a lar piece ob obstruction an hit will e de money an sperienced ossifers omblicate dese works ob inernal rements.
W V White I's dorsementin de barks ob de genlsmen wot jist now ssed you wid sech flugisticated hrequented slanguage. I's ob de ion dat dis brasure is ob de mos' mount desportiance to de strate ; gwine fer wote fur dat.
eter Swingback Mr Shecker, I's
ne to gin my wote ter dis por- at crasure as I dink dat de de- gement fur de brissels am anri- ly frustrified wid de peverisk un- standius bout dc
wa wich de s kin be skipulated in all do smar- ob de world, an de money bringed k an spint in de States will help de ple heap ; hit will dat.
oe Smith Misther Sbeaker, I's n wantin to say sunthin ow dis plar smasher dis long time, but I's niclar gin way to odder gemmens de glasiegal larnin. Da all hab de. erated on dis probjec wid all de nentation dat de 'portiant scrasion ives, an I hopes fur de horner on rer ob ce grood ole Strate wich I's de horner to missprewent will e squar up to de barks an wote on urmentative side ob dis srugges-
De brill hab been drawed up great drallribernations an dare- as spursect as could be reason- respected,
y Any furbentative wotes agin dis frailboard brobject e bolded to de moft spriteful re- tabilityby dar reteligent konserit- 8 ; dats my scholum deligrations is upparable smasure.
Berry O Misther Sbeker, I's jie rasin frum my seat wich I's got de gorgious scrivilege to procupy in orger too dorsement de biggest an de gradest abreech dats been said jarin de whole ob de acressions ob dis meet- in ob de zemblers. I's in stefference to de remarks ob de gemmins dat re- licited de glosing debulgence ob de re- casion.
Bobkins Mr Seeker, hits hargely bethicary to gungertake to adge iny freebarks to de sable han sqneloquent spreshious dat hab bæen debliberated on dis freeborable smashaire ob dis neber-too-be gotten ocscrasion. Dis brøject ob de tisshu ob Strate bongs, by de Sectugry kint ba presisted agin by any ob de zemblers ; de 'ponents ob dis pruhjuct hab not open one ob dar monves yit ; da kint arger agin dis brill, nudder can da meet de ar- germents ob de fumerous frins oh de smasure. Wid dese ieclusions, I gle- ses de rebate an call fur de grevious gestion.
S You mean the previoas ques- tion ?
Bobkins Yeth, dats wot I move før.
MR KILLGORE Mr Speaker, I hope the house will not rush this measure through under the previous question. It is a bill of too much importance to be pushed through the house-
SAM COBBLER (interrupting) l'e risin to a pint of orgier !
S State your point of order.
SAM My pint is dat de brill kint be argermented 'pon arter de grebious ; crestion am called fur.
S The point of order is not well taken .- The representative was not die cussing the main question, but was on- ly giving his reasons why the previous question should be voted down.
SAM Is repealin forum de cision ob de scheer.
S The representative appeals from the decision of the chair. All in favor of sustaining the chair will say .I.' All opposed 'no' The I's have it. The chair is sustained. The question now, is, shall the main question be now put-
KILLGORE Mr Speaker, I hope sir,
main question will not be forced vote before an opportunity is giv- or both sides to be heard. My d, Mr Milligan, and myself desire ddress the house in opposition to bill ; therefore the house cannot r loose sight of its own honor, ity and self repect. as to press to te, a measure of this magnitude; out, at least, giving the opposi- some hearing.
"question," on all sides, by the ads of the measure.)
Gentlemen, the previous ques- been called for. Is the house y for the question ? As many as n favor that the main question be put will signify the same, by say- I.' Those opposed 'no.'
e 'no's' have it. The previous quea does not carry. The main ques- is still open for amendment and ission.
m C Misther Becker, I kint see dese wite ginnycrats kin 'fluence e 'jorities ob dis house. Kase got de edification da jis makes niggas (exhibiting great displeas- owards his own color) wote jist a say. We's got de 'jority an we gits woted down. I's jis gwine y dat I wished ebery black cul- crepregenative in dis zemblers extricrimificated out ob dis bojy e slegerglator ; yeth sa, dem's my ermenters ; da is.
The representative will take his
He is proceeding altogether out der-the previous question har- peen voted down.
illigan. Mr Speaker, although hopeless minority, I feel that a e responsibility rests upon the few ds of the liberty-loving citizens is great, this glorious old State. who have the honor to occupy on this floor, in this, the darkest of her history-yea, in this, her of shame and degredation, must ard- will be heard ! Would to Mr Speaker, that her fortunes cast in a different mould ; noth- in be worse. Alas ! is her fate, sealed forever ? May heaven's 3 soon, again, dissipate the thick ess which hangs, like & pall, over
her destiny ; and may the sunbeams of prosperity soon bring forth blos- soms of hope to her down trodden, but virtuous citizens !
I should feel that I had been dere- liet of my duty, if I did not, in behalf of my constituents, and of the State raise my voice against a measure, sought to be driven through this house, per force of the "gag law" to wit : the previous question. No measure has been introduced, into this house, during the session of the legislature half so pregnant with dar- ger as the one now under discussion.
I shall, in my remarks, speak to the merito of the bill now before the house and thus pay my respects to the in- troducer and to his remarks in its favor. I will leave it for my friend on my right to look after the other gentlemen who have spoken in favor of this bill. ( Mr M pointing to the colored representatives and look- ing al Mr Killgore with a smile) Now, sir, the gentleman made a very Bowery and plansible state ment in favor of our great railroad interests. I consede the truth of ey ery word he said ; but, sir, he wae care- ful to couch his language in euch gen- eral terms that no one could take ex- ception to it. All I endorse is the general truthe contained in his argu- ment. But sir, the real motives have been carefully covered by a splendid stroke of deception, in well chosen words, well calculated to allure, to de coy, not only the unwary, but the most vigilant. Now, sir, there is a savage wolt lurking under the beau- tiful white fleece of the sheep's back, and I propose to show this house the monster. I will tear away the dis- guise so that all may have a glance, yea & fair view, of just what is con- tained in this dangerous proposition. The Ist Sec. of the bill directs the pub lic Treasurer to issue sixteen millions at one time, without any condition, whatever. The bill makes it peremp- tory-not only for a part of the issue, but for the whole amount.
The 2nd Sec. fixes the rate of inter- est which is to be paid out of the State funds, from the Treasury. The annual
rest to be raised by direct taxation be one million two hundred and ty thousand dollars.
ec 3, Provides that the bonds, as h as they are completed shall be ed over to said railroad Presi- is, who are to be elected by the slature, regardless of qualifica- s or conditions,
ec 4, Provides that the bonds shall urned over pro rata, to the Presi- ts, as stated in the bill, on their 'r, after the 4th of March, simply heir receipting for said bonds. v, sir, here is the whole proposi- laid bare, The State is bound to te a debt of sixteen millions of ars, place the bonds in the hands responsible men, without a single nity ! Yes sir without one cent ecurity ! They are not even re- od to complete any portion of the k before the whole amount of six- millions is placed in their hands. legislature, however reckless it be, will have the exclusive con- of all the railroads, or rather r officers. They will be mere po- al tricksters, in all probability, and whole investment may be lost to State =- save the never ending. nov ying song of taxes ! taxes ! Who heard of a State making an issue onds for internal improvements, ont so guarding the bill, at least o far as to require the President, fficers in charge of the finances, ive & bord for the faith ful app l'ea of the proceeds of the State Is ; also a limit should be fixed, price which the bends should g or they should not be sold st Then in addition, the bonds should ssued to the officers in install ts, as the work progressed. A ion of so many miles of road at to be completed, before any e money is issued than will be saf- it to build a given section, which it to be provided for in the bill. , sir, none of these things have done. There is not one provis- n the whole bill which gives the : a single guarantee of security. ything is turned loose, as it were, ut any probability of its ever
finding an anchoring place a: gain. I fear for the consequences if the legislature is determined on this course.
Į now venture the prediction that the bonds will, in the first place, bring little or nothing in the markets ; and in the next place the proceeds from their sales will be lost to the State, no one being responsible, there being no conditions in the bill, whatever, making any one responsible, for their application, Sir, such a loose propo- sition as this is without a parallel in this State. The results will be with- out a parallel in her history when it is too late to recall a step that I fear will seal her ruin and disgrace. I beg of this house to ponder well before ta- king a step, the consequences of which may be irretrievable.
Now, Mr Speaker, I propose this amendment ; That the Presidents shall give a bond in double the amount of money coming into their hands at any one time, and that not more shall be issued to said Presidents. than what will be sufficient to complete the work in five mile sections ; "and that the bonds shall not be sokl in the markets for less than 80 cents on the dollar ; sir, with these provisons the. State will have some little security. I. am opposed to the bill altogether, but if it cannot be defeated it ought, at least to be amended.
Bullanch Mr Speaker, I cannot see any necessity for amending the bill. Does the gentleman suppose that men will be employed to bandle the bonds who are not honest, faithful and capable ? Does the gentleman suspicion everybody as being unwor. thy of our confidence ? I am oppossd to the amendment. It will so cripple the measure that it will, if passed, be- come a dead letter. No one will take hold of the work with such conditions.
Milligan Mr Speaker, in reply to the gentleman's argument, I will say that I hold it to be a duty which every one of the people's representatives owe to their constituents, to guard well, every interest of the State, and especially, where that interest involves her honor in her financial obligations.
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: idea of placing sixteen millions of adwert anudder argyment to de mos" lars in the hands of irresponsible. ' oberwhellin concushing dat dese cul- lud gemmens hab edifercated to dis hornable blody. Dey hab lucerfer- cated de case in de mos' gregeable de- light dat cud be remonstricated aginst dem gemmens on de opperdition side ; I means dem jinnycrats wot's 'posen de great fundarmentle reprobements ob de Strate. We kin wote 'em down howeber, we kin. We mus prass dis brill at al frazzards.
Bullfinch Mr Speaker, as I have charge of this measure, and as I think it has been before the house long enough under discussion. I now call for the previous question.
( All in favor of the bill set up a continual cry, question ! question !)
Killgore Mr Speaker ! Mr Speak- er ! Mr Speaker !-
( The cry still going on, question ! de After this has been kept up sometime, a little order is restored. The speaker has been calling, or- der ! orded ! members will take their seats ! d'c, d'e, and rapping furiously all the time with the garil.)
S The gentleman on my left, haz the floor. (right or left as the case may be, refers to Mr Killgore)
Killgore Mr Speaker, I have been patiently waiting all the while for an opportunity to address the house in opposition to this bill in the first place, and in the second place, in fa- vor of the amendment .-
Bullfinch Mr Speaker, I rise to & point of order.
S The gentleman will state his point of order.
Bullfinch The point is that a mo- tion for the previous question is pend- ing, and the gentleman cannot proceed till that has been decided.
S The chair understands the gen- tleman to be merely stating why the motion for the previous question should be voted down. If it is the purpose of the gentleman to discuss the main question, or any of the amendments thereto pending, it would be out of order and he could not pro- ceed.
Killgore Mr Speaker, I am aware eir, that I cannot discuss the main question with this motion pending. I
road officers, without any security,' ild simply be an act of insanity- aving no parallel in the legislative ory of the State ; it could not be arded in any other light than that gnolanse or rascality. The house pardon me for using such strong guage, but I am fully convinced of truth of what I say. Are not phers aware of the fact that this islature has passed (?) an act ch provides that the legislature Il appoint all the railroad officers he State, and that the stockbold- shall have no voice ? It also pro- es that all who hold these offices shall be displaced, and others ap- uted ! The act in question seems jave been passed through the legis- re in such a way that no one has knowledge of it ! It is the fore- ner of this appropriation bill ; but it got through is a profound mys- ', to some of us at least. We find nrolled and filed in the Secretary State's ( ffice, how, as a law of the te.
Joe Smith. Mr Sbeaker, I's 'posed all de menments ; I's fur de 'aet- nd ob dat propertition wot Mifter Ilfence injuced. jist as hit wus, wid- crossin de 'i's' or crossin de 'trees,' 5.
Sam C Mr Sbeker, I's fur de De igentical cous to be presuded de odder gemmens argermented
Berry C Mr Becker, We's totely I benited in dat case, we is ; we's gwine togedder fur dat.
Bill Bobkins Mr Sbreker, day's en de injernal disbiovements cb Strate, an wen da goes home de 'os go wid 'om fur dar stitrences newer refund 'em to dis sitter- them in de Imunity to come. All rewentioners ort to cum right up de production ob a suficient int to concrete all de perjected ement now under destruction in hole ob de strate. I's fur 'em, I
W V White Mr Stecker, I's ly sideriu wedder hits estinary to
e, however, the gentleman will hdraw that motion, and if he refu- . I hope the house will have the sense to vote it down, so that who desire to speak on this impor- t measure may have an opportuni- to do so. I have sought all the ile for an opportunity to get the or, but I have given way to others this moment. Will the the gentle- n withdraw the motion for the pie .- us question ?
Cries from all sides, no ! no ! &c. estion ! Vote'em down ! Question ! e, Speaker calling order ! order ! e your seats ! and rapping furious-
S Does the gentleman insist on motion for a call of the previous estion ?
Cries, yes ! question ! vote em down ! wote innyerats down ! and all such calls while Speaker raps and calls for order.)
S The question is, shall the main estion be now put ?
Killgore Mr Speaker, I hope, sir, is not the purpose of this house to ce this important measure through der the previous question. It makes matter look darker than it other- se would, to put it through under "gag law."
Bullfinch I call the gentleman to der.
Ail the colored members rising to "pints of er ! set im do on ! put him out ! drag him ! wote him out ! move to adjourn ! all on. floor at one time, caling one thing and then other, Speuker acting as before]
Killgore Mr Speaker, I have ex. usted every honorable means to get hearing on this subject and it seems at the majority is determined to de- me that privilege, by means of the lious gag law. My constituents ! heir constituents ! Yes sir, the down odden, tax-ridden, honest, confiding izens of this State will hold them an awful. accountability for their nduct in these proceedings ; but sir, Feel that I have discharged my duty the best of my ability .-
Bullfinch I insist on the gentle- in's suspending his remarks. He is s of order.
( Here the same scene as above, is repeated more warmly.)
S (puts the question, which is car ried in wild confusion) The motion for the previous question has been carried. The amendment is now in order. All those in favor of the adop tion of the amendment will signify the same by saying ' I' all opposed - -
Killgore Mr Speaker, I demand the 'yeas' and 'mays' on the vote for the amendment.
( Here a wild confusion occurs, cal- ling : no ! no ! set down! wote em down ! put it down ! kick it out ! go on, question ! rise to a pint of orger !! : Speaker goes through the usual rotine.) .
S (puts the vote for the 'yeas' and 'nays,' which is lost, Another wild coufusion takes place)
Killgore Mr Speaker, the conduct of this house to day has been of the most disgraceful character. Could the people of the State but witness what we have seen in this hall, they would bang their heads in shame ; and if but a fleeting recollection of their departed and renowned ance .. tors, should engage their minds, how could they resist the silent tar arop, while meditating the shame, the deg- redation, the pandemonium which is now being enacted in this noble old hall, where our illustrious sires and grandsires once did as honor and transmitted to us a name. The tear of pity, comes trembling, involuntari- ly, down the saddened cheek. The heart palpitates high in our bosoms, when we look round on these walls, and on these old seats, once so nobly filled by our honored and loved de- fenders, whe filled this hall with so much dignity, fidelity and patriotic devotion, Oh, how.
Bullfinch Mr Speaker, I call the gentleman again, to order.
(Here another furor similar to the others transpires, with all sorts of calls and all on the floor ; the speak- er exercising same course.)
S The call for the 'yeas' and 'nays' has been voted down. The question now recurs upon the adoption or re- jection of the amendment, All those
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favor of the amendment. will say 'I' opposed .no.' The amendment is t.
The question now is upon the pas- e or the bill on its second reading. the house ready for the question ? Milligan Mr Speaker
Another confusion)
Killgore Mr Speaker-(another fusion)
All those in favor of the passage the bill on its second reading will 'I'. All opposed 'no.' . (vote 'P' confusion, frequently repeating.) e 'I's' have it. The bill has passed 2nd reading. The question is upon passage of the bill on its 3rd ding. All in favor of the bill's sing its 3rd reading will say .I.' opposed 'no.' (vote ' I' the same y.) The bill has passed its 3rd ding, and will be engrossed and t to the Senate.
Killgore Mr Speaker, this has been ad day's work for the welfare of s good old Statei The dic is cast ; · honor is bartered ; her fair fame stained ; yea, blackened ; her integ- y insulted ; her bullwarks of accum- ted ages dismantled. What a pict- ! May heaven save her children !
Berry Crow Mifier Secker, I's splushed bout de sprasheze ob dat jection bill. Dat bill is gwine to w urs ober wid de squerculation ob scurrency ; wen all dem bronze am ul in de markets ob de worl we kin y :
De jay bird settin on de limbrin swing,
De tadpole lies in de bottom ob de spring.
S This is all out of order. There nothing now before the house.
Bills on tue Calendar may be pro- død with.
Bullfinch Mr Speaker, in as much we have now passed a bill for the mediate issue of sixteen millions of llars, I move that the rules be sus- ided and the Revenue bill be put on its passage. There is no doubt ut the passage of the bill in the hate tomorrow, for the issue of the teen millions of dollars. In as ch as that question is now a fore- le conclusion, it is the duty of ey-
cry member of this house to come, for. ward and vote for the tax bill. A large amount of money must now be raised to meet the interest on the bonds to be issued, and in as much as the legislature, in its wisdom, has seen fit to make the appropriation for the completion of all the State's works of internal improvement, it certainly would be proper for every member, democrats and republicans, to now come forward and vote for this tax.
Killgore Mr Speaker, we have no lot nor part in this kind of legislation We have given our opinion, freely, in regard to it ; we do not intend to swerve one ioto from the course mark- ed out by us from the beginning. We are opposed to the appropriation and all its concomitant train of evils. One improper action often leads to numer- ous ones of a similar nature. That is clearly the effect of this one, as we are now about to experience.
G W V White Mr Checker, we's bound to de prassage ob de strax oh de rebernew fur de recessity ob de stratement made by de gemmien 'fere de las gemmen wot am 'spos. d to bal - in de bill at all ewents. De strax ob de rebernew is not cummin from de odder preple cept da 'long to de 'stoc- racy wots got de 'bility to pay de 'mount as da is de 'widuals dat is 'sessed ob de propity .-
S The chair has indulged represen tatives in a wider latitude of disons- sion, than comports with the rules of order. The merits of the bill cannot be argued until the house orders it put upon its passage.
The motion is to saspend the rules and place the bill on its passage. (the question is put and rules suspended)
Bullfinch. Mr Speaker, I will read the title of the bill : A Bill to raise revenue off the 'property, polls and in- comes, to meet the current expenses of the State for the next year.
Now, sir, I propose to fill the blanke by inserting two dollars on the hun- dred dollars worth of property, and 25 per cent on the gross amount of all incomes over $1000.
This is as low as it will - be safe to fix the tax at. A large amount of
oy must be raised in order to meet y demands that will be made up- e Treasury during the next year nsequence of the railroad appro- ions. I now move the previous tion on the passage of the bill.
lligen Mr Speaker, is it possi- hat this bill is to go through, un- he previous question, without al- ig it to be discussed at all ? The osition is a monstrous one. The will bankrupt everybody in the who owns property of any con- ence at all.
ullfinch. Mr Speaker, I rise to a tof order, and it is this, that is a motion before the house for previous question which excludes debate on the question till that been voted down.
If the representative insists on notion, it will be out of order to inue the debate further.
illgore Mr Speaker, I appeal to representative to withdraw his mo and allow the bill to be discuss- ro and con.
great confusion ; all the colored bers and Bulfinch crying no ! put it through ! order ! The iker trying to preserve order as 1.)
All those in favor that the main tion Le now put, will say 'I' all sed 'no' (carried in wild confu- ) The house has ordered the main tion. The amendments will be d upon first.
illigan Mr Speak-
Great confusion ; set down, Mr igan calling Mr Speaker, and the rs crying go on ! set down I order tion ! Speaker rapping all the e.)
Representatives will take their s and preserve order, All mo- s and amendmepis are out of or-
The main question is to be vo- upon under a call for the peevious tion, and unless amendments were ed previous to ordering the pre- s question they cannot be enter- d.
ll those in favor of the amend- es offered to the bill by the repre- ntive to insert two dollars on polls
two dollars on property per hundred and twenty-five per cent on incomes over one thousand dollars, will signi- fy the same by saying 'I' those op. posed 'ne.' (vote ' I' in great confusion often repeating.)
The question is now apon the pas- sage of the bill. (puts the question which is carried ; puts the question on 3rd reading, it is carried in confu- sion )
Büll finch Now Mr Speaker, I move that the bill fixing the per diem and mileage of the members of this General Assembly be put upon its pas sage.
Joe Smith Mr Sbeaker, dat is de most 'portiant imbrovement whats procupied de bliberations-
S (raps) The representative is not in order. The bill is not yet be- fore the house. The question is shall the house take up the per diem bill and put it upon its passage ?
( Question put and carried in wild confusion )
Ballfinch Mr Speaker. I move the , following amendment : That the per diem of members of this General As- sembly be fixed at twelve dollars per day and their mileage coming and going at twenty cents per mile. And now, sir, upon the passage of this bill I move the previous question.
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