Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-03-13

committee on Internal improvements IA
vorable to an ordincnce incorporating a
branch Of the Dan River Railroad, which
was accepted and adopted.
Mr. Hodnett called up the report of the
| select committee appointed to memorabilia
| Congress for a reduction of the tax on to-
bacco and liquors distilled from fruits.
The report was read and adopted.
| Mr.. Heaton rose to a personal explana-
ton in relation to a publication in the Car
Gilman.
SPECIAL oRDER-REPoRT OF THE COMMITTEE
ON EDUCATION.
When the first section was read Mr.. Ora
ham, Of Orange, said that, though he was
of the committee, he had not thought pro-
per to sign the report. In the first place.
he thought 1t too long. The first five sec
lions could DO condensed into one. In an
other, provision was made for the indict-
ment of delinquent counties. He could
not understand how counties could be in
dlcted any more than the State. He then
proceeded briefly to point out various OBJ
Jectlonable features in the report
Section l was adopted, and sections .,
and 4, after immaterial amendments.
Mr.. Graham moved the following as an
additional section:
1.-THE General Assembly shall provide
schools for the dIach; children of the State,
! separate and apart from those prOrided for
| WHITE CHILDREN"
| Mr.. French, of Baden, said that, accord
| ing to the report, the counties would regu-
| late such matters. He therefore, hoped
the amendment would be voted down.
Mr.. Ashley said this article was framed
| for the benefit of all children.
! Harris, of Wake (negro), objected to it
on the same grounds.
! Hood (negro), ditto.
! Mr. Ashley moved to add the following
words to Mr.. Durhams section:
| lit being understood, however, that this
| section is not offered in sincerity or be-
cause there is any necessity for it, but that
| it is proposed for the sole purpose of breed
ing prejudice and bringing about the prac-
! teal cnslayemcnt of the colored race"
| Mr.. Durham said that it was manifest
! why Htot amendment was offered. He fur
thcr remarked that he had been called to
order, and other Conservatives had been
called to order, for rejecting, as they had
q right to do, upon the political sentiments
OF members of the Republican party. lie
had been denounced, his honesty and sin
cerity called i'll question, and his personal
motives reflected upon by Il delegate whom
lie could not notice Harris, Of Wake, ne
gro.) The Chair did lot call linn to order.
servative gentlemen Oh this floor. Now he
wished the Reporters to state that the ut
most latitude and privileges were allowed
10y the Chair to Republican members,
which were denied to Conservative gentle
men. Rank partiality was practiced, and
he wished the people of the State to know
| il. He intended, if he could, to make gen
tlemen go on record in this matter.
Mr.. Hodnett said that he regretted to
Iu,E -4ol IL:
ton. He had hoped to have separate
schools established. The preiudices of his
people would not allow otherwise. 4 wise
! statesman had said a wise legislator should
ever respect the prejudices of the people.
His constituents would think that the arti-
Gle insidiOusl Y meant to put the children
/ together.
MIR. Abbott asked, did not the article
leave the question to the counties
Mr.. Hodnett: But the article says that
schools shall be established for aH
Mr.. Tourgee Is not a policy adopted
now, leaving this matter to the counties,
where the article says school or schools
shall be established ?
Mr.. Hodnett : Well, what will we do in
our county, where there are five or six hun
dred colored ma ority -?
Mr.. Pool I desire to ask you cues
ton.
Mr.. Hodnett It seems from the num-
Der of questions that am asked, that am
touching you on tender point.
Mr.. Mcdonald, of Chatham, and Harris,
Of Wake, (negro,) next had say.
Mr.. Ashley called the previous question.
Mr.. Durham said that the Conservatives
wished to discuss the measure he hoped
the Reporters would state that the oppor-
tunity to debate the matter was denied
them.
The call foE the previous question was
sustained.
The question REQUIRED upon Mr.. Ash
ley's amendment.
Mr.. Durham asked for the yeas and nays,
bWHey arere refused to him and the amend
ment was declared adopted.
The question REQUIRED upon the section,
as amended. The yeas and nays were call
ed, on motion of Mr.. Abbott, and resulted
in yeas 10, nays 90, (the Conservatives vot-
ing in the afIirmative.)
Sections to II inclusive, were ado pied.
In section IS, (relative to the Universe
ty,) Mr.. Graham, of Orange, moved the
addition of the following provision
'That there shall be separate and dis
tinct schools and colleges for the black and
white races"
Mr. Durham said that it had been stated
on this floor that the colored people did
not Wish mixed ScnOOIS. linen why DO you
refuse to say, here, that such mixture shall
in no case be made you say that counties
will regulate these matters, but the white
people in those counties that have negro
majority demand that we shall here incor-
porate, in the Constitution, a clause to pro-
ted them. In the counties in which the
blacks have such large maj Orities they
would argue. if the white people are SO
much our social superior, they may educate
their children as they may, but we have
the power and will manage the schools as
we please. The white people Of those
counties demand, at your hands, protec
ton against this thing. We mako this
ANOTHER TEST QUESTION, and if
you refuse to incorporate such clause in
the Constitution we have perfect right to
draw the inference that you arc determined
to force = social equaliy" What other con-
struction can the people, as sensible peo-
pie, place upon your action ? This state
ment about leaving the matter to the diff
ferent counties amounts simply to igiving
the coIored majorities in different coun-
ties the power to force the white people