New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-12-08
SUFFRAGE IN THE DISTRICT or COLUMBIA.

Ono of the disappointments of last session was the
torpor of the Senate on the Suffrage bill for tho Dis
trct Of Columbia. The House early passed bill to
strike the word white out OF the election laws. This
was Judge Kelley's measure, and. having been intro
duced December s. 1865 was passed January 10, 1866
by vote quito strong enough to confront expected
veto. Popular applause followed, as the popular will
had demanded. this just act In the Senate. Radical
members manifested at first disposition to press the
bill to a vote. There could be no doubt that the
North required it, for the loyal press was almost
unanimous in its approval. Whether the bill could
get two-thirds vote might be doubted,
but that it could command majority
was not denied. But for reasons never
made known the benefcent measure was allowed
to languish first in committee for more than month,
and then on the table of the Senate till the end of the
session without vote. Thus did the Republican
majority of the Senate responsibility which
they might have transferred TO the President. We
havo lately heard that certain eminent Radical
Senators yielded to personal appeals and that assumed
party necessities in one or two States came to out
weigh both the voice Of the people upited in behalf
this act, and Of the cry Of justice long withhold
from prescribed race.
duced on the first day of last session, but which had
Jared better than the act which the House sent up
On the first day of the present session, Mr. Sumner
tried to call up this bill and pass it, but his effort was
checkmatcd by technical objection. II was then un-
der-ood that some bill should be voted on next week.
bill which the friends Of impartial suffrage had
right to suppose would be real and not delusive
measure. 1t is not pleasant surprise to learn that
tho Committee have changed the bill into one OF
partial not impartial suffrage, and that to the qual-
cation of manhood is added requisition based on an
artificial standard Of intelligence. II provides that
the eeclor must be able to read the Constitution and
to write bis name As il is known that large part
Of tho colorcd population Of the District entered
il during the war, from Virginia, the restric-
ton Is practically Acknowledgement o. very many
of its most loyal people The Committee which
nteects this limitation Of the electoral franchise
knows that IL does not fall with equal force upon the
two classes Of population. although the distinction OF
color is nominally abolished Here are white men to
whom schools have always been open, aud black men
TO whom il has been forbidden by law TO learn the
alphabet Until the legal disability has been
long enough removed TO tolerate a presump
ton Of equal intelligence based on equal opportunities
they are not lett on equal terms nor endowed with
equal rights by Law which imposes the same literary
aud clerical tests upon the two. This law deals with
the franchise radically, establishing basis of citizen
ship. It's trainers or supporters are bound TO know
with what elements they are dealing, but they have
assumed condition Of things which does not exist,
and constructed statute which might confer equal
rights upon some district in the moon, but cOniers
very unequal rights the actual existing dis
trct for which Congress has to legislate.
The business Of statesmanship TO adjust principles to
facts; this bill ignores both Weare cOmpelledto say OF
it, as Mr. Bright said Of the expected Tory Reform egs
lation It will not be an honest bill. We do not be-
leye Mr.. Sumner and Mr. Wade approve it; they are
both on record for unrestricted franchise and for
practical not fancifu justice 10 the blacks. Yet they
are both on the District OF Columbia Committee and
put before the country the ndoers of arbitrary
intelligence qualification for men in whom inelli'
gence has very lately been e crime. The country
will desire an explanation Of the action of the COM
mittee before vote is had, and Mr.. Sumner or Mr..
Wade WILL We are sure, give tho Senate an opportu-
nifty to vote on suffrage bill stripped of the clauses
which make Mr.. Mouills present measure unfit to
become law