Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-08-26
First Step Towards Social Equality
Tine Negroes Arruyed against the
Whites,
A SHARP ANDINrEREsTING DEBATE

From the Correspondence Of the Chrrlcst,n Ne@,
COLUMBIA, August l5.-1o day the House
Of Representatives witnessed one OF the most
remarkable scenes that ever occurred in Il
body calling Itself on American Legislature.
First, the stand was elaborately Orliamentrd
with rose;ieS, tes,oonS, and other designs done
iu black and white cambrick, to testify RS
pcct to the memory OF Thnddeus Stevens.
Secondly, the Speaker, f. j. Moses, Jr, WAS
abSent,- md his place WAS. occupied by A.-J.s
Ransier, coored man fron Charleston. And
thirdly, the race line was broadly drawn
between the white and colrlcd Republicans,
that rot one of the former could fail TO Per
ceive that he belonged to minority hopeless.
ly suiall, whenever the crack Of the party
whip rallied the faction to The front. lave
never before sten the utter subordinailon Oi
tie white to the colorcd man so clearly
marked as it was to-day ard the victor.
written on the faces Of the colored members,
showed that now they appreciated their power.
The bill was shre@d bait to catch 'ih"
Governors veto, ard was prepared outside by
high officer of the government; but the
former will not even nibble, and the individ-
ual who prepared it, and the majority wh"
rushed it through, will have the satisfaction
of hearing every man Of intelligence outside
OF their party thanking fate for such politi
cal godsend, and praying Tor something more
of the same sort. White men in the party
grayely shake their heads and fear it vii! cost
Reputlcanism huudred thousand votes.
In the House, on motion of R. Q. DeLarse
(colored), the Tax bill was made the special
order for each day until disposed of.
The current business being disposed Of
unfinished business came up, being the =
ing bill preventing discrimination be. zen
per, ons by those carrying on business under
license, on account CT race, color, or previous
condition.
A Bill to prevent discrimination between per-
sons, by those carrying on business under
license, on account of race, color or previ-
Gus condition.
Be 1t enacted by the Senate and House Of
Representatives OF the ST Of South Carroll
ma, now met and sitting in General Assembly,
and by the authority of the same:
SECTION l. That from and after The passage
of this bill it shall not be lawful for any party
or parties, engaged in any baslness, calling or
pursuit, for the carrying or OF which license
Or charter is required by law, municipal, State,
Federal or Otherwise IL discriminate between
persons, on account of race, color Or previous
condition, who shall make lawful application
for the bent fit of such business, calling or
pursuit.
SEC. Q. Any party SO discriminating shall
be considered as having violated this act, and
upon conviction, Shall be punished by a fine
of not less than cne Thousand dollars, or i'm.
prisonment for rot less than twelve months.
SEC. 5. No act Of incorporation shall he
conferred upon any organization the rules and
regulations of which contain features hot
com patiJle with the provisions OF this act.
SEC. 4. All acts, or parts OF acts. lnconsis-
tent herewith, are hereby repealed.
J.H. jerks (white), id that for obvious
reasons he would move hat The bill lay over
until the next session.
DR.. B. zeman (culorcd), said lie wanted =
see this question acted upon at once. whether
in the present or another shape. There was
a feeling prejudicial to lis race prevailing
among the people, very it furious in lis elf G;
and not consistent with tie principles "i thr
Republican party. lclhad been said thai H.
bill was originated by parties who were 40,
manly enough to advocate its passage upD'
the floor. Such was not the case. TreisSue
was vital one, and should te settled at oice
Hence be opposed the motion to continue.
After extensive tillibusirring by numbe,
of the moderate colored men, aided by some
Of the whites, the motion to postpone the
consideration of the bill WAS not agreed to
William E. Johrson (cnlored), of Sumter
/ am glad that canrot be numbered amore
that class of men, white or colored, who art
afraid 10 meet this issue. l wantevery meu'.
ber in the House to vote for this bill sno
the reason why venture to speak upon tht
subject this morning is that | notice publ
cation in the daily paper concerning Nicker
sons Hotel. They seem to be exceedingly
frightened about colorcd gentlemen stopping
there to board. Perhaps on some future day
/ shall come here to Columbia, ard there MAJ
not be any private house, and being gentle
mau. | may call at Nickerson's Hotel. If
do so, | don't want to beareiused. want tht
right and privilege Of going into that house
mo matter who it is kept by, aud having my
self cared for as we'll as any other guest Q
the house. And so want to 60 into work
shop, or any other place of business :
DeLarge made the point Of order that th,