Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-02-13
Debate in the Senate.

Yesterday, in the Senate, Mr.. Sumner
By unanimous consent, called up his resolution
of inquiry as to the alleged outrage on an en-
ployee of the Senate, by Conductor of the
Washington, Alexandria and Georgetown Rail
road
Mr.. Sumner read an account of the circum-
stance as published in the Chronicle. He (Mr.
ST. would characterize this as dastardly out
rage as it was characterized by the journal re-
ferred to. The question was, what was the
redress? Some said the courts, but the courts
were too slow, and he wished the Senate to
take some action in the matter. lie wanted
the whole subject referred to the Committee
on the District of Columbia; and while on the
matter be would desire to call attention to the
outrages committed by the employees of anoth-
er-the WASHINGTON branch of the Baltimore
timore & Ohio R. R. He had been called on
this morning by an employee Of the other
House (Mr. Downing, keeper OF the House
restaurant, who had informed him that he and
his family had been maltreated IN the cars from
Baltimore to Washington.
Mr. Conness fully agreed with the Senator
(Mr. Sumner) as to the enormlty OF these out
RACES, and the necessity OF al immediate re
dress. But there was another class OF outrages
to which no proper attention had yet been CIV,
en-. For months past citizens OF the United
States had been arrested on British territory,
and committed to prison for words spoken on
American soil.
Mr.. Davis asked whether those citizens were
black or white?
MIR. Conness had made no inquiries as to the
color of those citizens, but all American cltl.
zens were entitled to the equal protection OF
the Government without regard to race or color,
and if the Senator (Mr. Davis and his trends
had acted with them in an effort to secure the
rights Of all, peace and Tranquility would now
reign throughout the country
Mr.. Davis fully sympathized with the par
ticular cases to which the Senator alluded
Mr.. Conness continued, bitterly denouncing the
British government. lie spoke Of the delay of
the u. Governmental making the demand for
reparation, and that the matter had slept for a
whole month in the room OF the Committee on
Foreign Relations This Government, every
branch oft, should so act and Immediately, as
to let the British Premier know that we could
not be insulted with impunity, and that the IN
science Of his Government would no longer be
submitted to. He (Mr. g. would do every
thing to protect helples female or any one
else who was insulted or outraged by those
brought up under the cursed influences of sa-
very but he would not lose sight Of outrages
on another class OF our citizens.
Mr.. Sumner remarked that the matter spo-
ken of by the Senator (Mr. Conness) was of too
grave and important nature to be coupled
with this subject He could inform the Sena-
tor that the Committee on Foreign Relation,
was not remiss in its duty in the matter alluded
to, and at the proper time the Senator
would find that committee was not at all lnsen-
sible to the dignity of the Government, and the
respect due to it, and would make such a re-
port as would satisfy the Senator and every one
else. They we're proceeding without any un-
necessary delay, but the Secretary Of State had
informed him on Saturday that it was impossl-
BILE to proceed any faster 10 this matter than
they were, in consequence OF the insufficient
clerical labor in that Department. The Sena-
tor from California was not tho only represen-
tative Of American interests On this floor.
There were others here who had the rights of
American citizens at heart as deeply as that
Senator.
Mr.. CONFESS wanted the dignity of this Gov
ernment asserted without any delay. If Great
Britain did not make the proper reparatlon Tor
the insults she had inflicted upon our citizens,
he was in favor, while she was trampllng down
the Crescent with the Cross of the Stars and
Pacific to the end Of Nova Scotia.
Mr.. Davis said he fully agreed with the
Senator Mr.. Conness) as to the vindication of
the rights Of American citizens abroad He,
however, dlscountenanced the idea of attempt
ing to place negroes on an cquailty with whites.
Mr. Yates said the trouble with the Senator
from Kentucky and his friends was, that they
did not appreciate the progress of events. lie
would tell them that everybody here, Portuguese,
English, Irish, Spaniards, niggers and all, were
citizens, and were entitled to equal rights, and
before five years every male citizen Of the coun-
try would 60 the ballot-box by virtue of Con-
gressional enactment. IF he was on the Com
mittee on the District of Columbia, he would
go for reporting bill making all railroads a
nuisance that showed any distinction in the
treatment OF passengers. He would not allow
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to run train
into Washington if it allowed outrages to be
committed on colored citizens.
Mr. Drake said these Internal Rebel outragcs
must be stopped, and by Congressional inter
position. Here was a lady in the employ OF
the Senate intelligent, reioed, and as white as
many Of those who moved in the best circles OF
Washington society," She attempts to take
her seat in The car, and is met with mo ID
niggers can come in here" She is brutally
elected from the train, and, at the same time,
women much backcr than she, ARE permitted to
ride in this exclusive car because, torsooth,
they carry some white woman's baby.
Mr.. Sumner had just this minute received L
letter from the Secretary of the Washington,
Alexandria and Georgetown Railroad, inform
ing him that the read is in the hands of 4
receiver, appointed by rebel Judge in Alex
andria named Thomas, and that it is to his
Washington influence that this outrage is to be
attributed. The writer says that had he the
power the Rebel scoundre who perpetrated the
outrage would be Immediately dismissed from
the employ of the Company, and if damages
are awarded the Company will have to pay
them.
Mr. Cragin said the Receiver was no Rebel
scoundrel, but friend Of his and q loyal man.
Mr. Johnson had no knowledge whether the
facts rccited in this case were true Or not ; but,