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[103]
don't. There is a rule against it; but how am I to put this rule in force?
We have no rule against chewing; yet chewing is a nastier vice than smoking.
Rules are useless.
Negroes will chew and smoke.”
“Why not let them smoke in other rooms?”
“You think that easy.
Sir, it is so far from being easy that it is actually impossible.”
“How so?”
“ Because we cannot spare a man from his seat.
You see we have only just a quorum present.
If a single member quits his place we are unable to proceed.”
A Negro, named Demas, member for St. John's parish, rises, and in a voice to silence Spurgeon or Punshon, rates the House.
There is a certain eloquence in His words.
“Yes,” says Speaker Hahn, “there is something in these fellows.
Nearly all of them were born slaves.
A dozen years ago hardly one of them dared to open his mouth in presence of a White man.”
The Hon. Michael Hahn affects not to know how many members of his parliament are Black, how many White.
“We take no note of colour,” he remarks; but while Massa Demas is thumping and
1875.
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