Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-06-28
THE EVENING STAR.
LOCAL NEWS.

NEGRO SUFFRAGE IN THE DIsrRIcr-when
our report closed yesterday of the proceedings
in the Senate on the bill to regulate the eIec.
tive franchise in the District Of Columbia Mr..
Wiley was defining his position in regard
TO certain amendments proposed by him He
maintained that Congress had no right TO in
rerfere with suffrage in the States, and said
that as he acted from conscientious conyic-
tious he could not abandon his position thouob
IL should terminate his connection with the
Senate. He did not believe that suffrage was
a natural right; thought-if practicabIe-the
blacks should be separated from the whites
If the negro was able to carry the bayonet he
was able TO vote, and the only good reason
which could be urged against extending the
franchise 10 him was in case il should disturb
the peace and security of the country As TO
the talk about social equality, he did not con-
slider every worthless white man who voted as
his equal. IL was sand that il would lead To
lntermarriage among the races; he did not
think so, but II so, the negro would have the
worst OF the bargain. Mr.. w. then ad yocated
his amendment, which he said recognized the
principles of negro suffrage
Upon the conclusion OF Mr.. willey's re-
marks, the Senate went into executive session
without taking action upon his amendments
(Which we gave in the Star yesterday
The following il the bill as il now stands:
That. from and after the passage Of this act,
each ana every male person. excepting pau
pers and persons under guardianship, OF the
age OF twenty one years and upwards, who
has not been con victed of any in famous crime
or ohense. and who is a citizen OF the United
States, and who shall have resided in the said
District for the period of six months previons
TO any election therein. excepting persons who
may have voluntarily left the District to give
aid and comfort 10 the late rebellion, shall be
entitled 10 the elective franchise and shall be
deemed an elector and entitled 10 vote at any
election in said District, without any distinc-
non on account of color or race
sec = Ind beu further enacted, That any per-
son whose duty IL shall be to receive votes at
any election within the District OF Columbia
who shall wllfully refuse 10 receive or wIIfuI-
~ reject the vote OF any person entitled 10 such
right uncer this act shall be- liable to an action
OF tort oy the person injured, and shall be Ii
able, on Indictment and con ycuon, if such act
was done knowingly, to q fine not exceeding
five thousand dollars, or TO Imprisonment not
exceeding one year in the Jail of said District,
or 10 both.
Sec. 3 Ind BE- It further enacted, That if any
person or persons snail wilfully interrupt or
disturb any such elect0r in the exercise of such
franchise, he or they shall be deemed guilty of
miSdeTneanor, and, on conviction thereof
shall b. fined IN any sum not TO exceed SLOW
or be imprisoned in the Jail in said District for
period not 10 exceed thirty days, or BOTH at
the discretion of the court
Sec J. ind Le itfiirther enacted, That il shall
be the duty of the several courts having Grim
NAL jurisdiction in said District to give this
act IN special charge TO the grand Jury AT the
commencement of each term of the court
Sec D. Ind De a. further enacted. That all acts
and parts OF acts inconsistent with this act be-
and The same are hereby. repealed.
See b. And ts At FURTHER enacted, That the
Mayors ana Aldermen of the cities of Wash
lngtOn and Georgetown, respectively on or
before the first day of March in each year. shall
prepare a list OF the persons they Judge TO be
qualified 10 vote in the several wards of SAID
Giles IN anN election, and said MAYORS and
Aldermen shall be in open session 70 receive
evidence OF the qualification of persons claim
ing the right 10 vote in any election therein
ana Tor correcting said list. on two DAYS in
each year. not exceeding five days prior 10 the
annual election for the choice OF city officers
giving previous notice of the time and place of
each session IN some newspaper printed in
said District
Sec. .. Ind be IL further enacted, That on or
before the - day OF -. the Mayors and AL
deTmen Of said cities shall post up a list of
voters thus prepared in one or more public
places ID SAID cities respectively, at least ten
days prior 70 sand annual election.
sec. = and be AZ further enacted, That the Of
nceTs presiding AZ any election shall keep and
use the check list herein required at the polls
during the election Of all officers, and no vote
snail be received unless delivered by the voter
IN person, and not until the presiding off Ger
mas had opportunity TO he satisfied of his Iden-
tIty. and shall md his name on the list and
mark II, and ascertain that his vote is single