The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-11-01
TENNESSEE LEGISLATURES.
Senate.
FRDAY, Oct. 25, 1867.
Prayer BY Rev. Mr.. Huntington.
BILLS AND REsoLurroNs,

BY Mr.. Lyle-A bill to authorize
the County Judge of Montgomery to
hold the Chancery Court at Clarks-
villO for the period Of two years.
By Mr., Eaton--bill to incorporate
the Eagle Mining Company of Ten
nessee.
BY Mr.. (iardner-A bill to repeal
the sixteenth section of the Fran
ehise law Of February %, 1867,
Referred TO the Joint Select Com
mittcc, on that part of the Govern
or's message referring to this sub
ject.
SOCIAL EQUALITY.
The following House bill vas talk
en- up:
"a bill to infiict penalties upon com
mon carriers and their agents for
violations of law by making unjust
and illegal distinctions based on
color, ace and previous condition"
Section l. Be it enacted by the
General Assembly of Tennessee, That
no distinction shall be made by com
mon carriers in this State, either by
railroad, turnpike or other corpor-
atoms, or private parties who are
common carriers, in regard to the
color, race or previous condition Of
any person or persons asking at the
hands Of said common carriers, con.
veyance or any other service com
monty rendered by them,
See. 2. Be il further enacted, That
for each and every violation of this
act by any common carrier exercis-
ing tho privileges that attach to said
calling within the State Of Tennes-
see, there shall be imposed upon said
common carrier, 80 offending, a fine
of one hundred dollars, TO be paid
to the persons against whom said
discrimination may be made.
See. g. Be it further enacted, That
any conductor Or any other employee
of said common carriers, who may
so distinguish between persons so
desiring the services of said common
carriers on account of race, color Or
previous condition, shall be deemed
guilty Of a misdemeanor, and on con-
viction thereof shall be fined in the
sum of not less han ten dollars, nor
more than fifty dollars, to be paid
into the Treasury of the State Of
Tennessee for the use of the common
schools Of the State, and imprisoned
in the Jail of the county whore the
indictment is found, not exceeding
thirty days, at the discretion OF the
court.
Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That
all laws of the State in any manner
conflicting with the provisions of this
act, in SO far as they do conflict, be
and the same are hereby repealed.
Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That
this act shall take effect from and
after its passage.
The bill, after passing its first read.
ing II the Senate, was referred to
the Committee on interpretations,
which recommended it's passage with
the following amendment:
provided, hat nothing in this act
shall be so construed as to forbid
said common carriers setting apart
as heretofore, special accommoda-
tions for ladies'"
This amendment was adopted on
the second reading Of the bill without
q division, and upon taking up the
bill on third and last reading,
Mr. Lyle moved to refer the bill to
the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Smith objected to the refer.
enee. 1t had been referred to the
Committee on interpretations, and
that committee had recommended its
passage with an amendment author
izing common carriers to provide, as
heretofore, special accommodations.
lie regretted that this amendment
was adopted. He opposed any ex-
ylusiveness. lie had observed the
practical working of this ladies' car
arrangement; it was unjust and I'M
,qual. He desired to see no distine-
ion. The person who purchases a
ticket was entitled to first.
lass accommodations, without re-
gard to color.
Nj. Garner, as the chairman Of the
on incorporation, felt
upon to defend tho report
md amendment. The amendment,
10 said, was not designed to make
distinction on account of color
railroads had boon in the habit of
apart special cars for ladi g.
Tho intention of the amendment
Yas not 10 exclude volOred ladies
these special cars. He thought
he amendment was entierly proper.
Mr.. Aldridgo c%oncurred in the +.
Jews of Mr.. Garner. The custom J
{ setting apart special a~eeommoda- !
ions for ladies had been praeticed
! tho North. He believed that !
should DO respected and their !
omfort consulted. The amendment :
id not exclude colored ladies from :
no ladies' car. :
Mr.. Lyle spoke as follows: q
Mr.. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the 4
The bill under consideration /