Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-03-23
a Debate in Con agrees.

a Debate in Congress.
On Tuesday, when Mr. Morrill, had offered a
resolution to appropriate twenty-five thousana
dollars to the destitute negroes in the District
of Columbia:
Mr.. Salisbury offered an amendment APP
propriating like sum for the relief OF the
destitute white people of the District, to be-
appropriated under the direction Of the Mayor
of Washington.
Mr. Morrill, said no appeal had been made to
the committee 10 behalf OF the poor white
people Of the District, and he though the Sen
ator was paying very poor compliment TO
them to ask for such an appropriation. Inc
Poverty and helplesSnesS of these poor coIored
people were well known. He would suggest TO
the Senator to withdraw his amendment.
Mr. Salisbury said that he had no doubt
that there were hundreds and thousands OF
poor colored people in the District, but he
never walked Pennsylvania avenue that he
was not solicited by poor tile white girls and
boys for aims. There were thousands OF
whites in the District to-day who were just
as helpless as The blacks: We were toId thai
when slavery was abolished In this District
it was 10 be converted into paradise. a
very graphic picture of that paradise has just
been drawn by the Senator from Maine Mr..
Morrill, gHc did not see SO much deSt'utlOn
among the negroes of this District. D y after
day, when he looked up into these gal lc,, he
saw hale, hearty young co!ored men viewing
the Or ceedings Ana how few poor YUM
whit men are able 10 do that All he asked
was that the same feeling OF humanity sho"ld
be displayed towards our own race as towa DIS
the.negrO.
MIR. Willy suggested to the Senator from
Delaware that it would m, ct his views to strike
out he word colored so as to leave lie appro-
grafton to be divided amongst all destitute
people.
MIR. Salisbury declined to withdraw his
amendment. If the money was 10 be expcn-
ded under the direction Of the Mayor IT W ash
| iDgton, he would have no objecton but every
one knew that if the Commissioner OF the
Freedmcn's Bureau had the disposal oft none
but negroes would receive any portion oft
| The amendment was lost.
! Mr.. Wiley moved to amend by striking cut
| the word 'colored" from the rcsolutlon which
was egreed to.
Mr.. Davis offered an amendment, as an add
| tiona section that the corporate authorities OF
the District be authorized to find proper en-
ploymcn Tor the able bodied colored aud black
persons. and that five thousand dollars be APP
propriated for such purpose.
MIR. Kirkwood moved to strike out the word
''black y He did not see why white people
should not work as we'll as black. Laughter
Adopted
Mr. Nesmith moved an amendment so as 10
exclude members of Congress from those for
whom the city authorities shall find employment.
Laughter.
Mr.. Nesmith's and Mr.. Davis amendments
were lost After which, the appropriation was
passed.
PREPARING IN TME-In nearly every city
in the South, the civil authorities are prepar-
ing against the advent Of disease Whether
the apprehensions of the people are we'll found
ed or not is no apology for neglect. Every city:
town and village in the country should be
thoroughly subjected to the most stringent sani-
tary regulations at once, and continually, 1t
should also be the imperative duty OF the mill
tary authorities to enforce similar regulations
in all freedmen villages, which have already,
for weeks past, been tie sourcer Of loath.o me
disease, now prevailing in many sections OF the
South. It is time the authorities, civil and
military, were actually at work in this matter.
The spring is now fully upon us. 1t will be
criminal negligence longer to delay.-Rlch En-
0uiypr