The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-05-26

ANNANAANN
ELL. TO KsSFoRcE THE sIrTEESTH AMEND-
MKSr.
The blu enforcing the Fifteenth Amend
ment then came before che Senate. It's pro-
visions We're published April %.
MT. Stewart submitted an amendment
providing that when any person ineligible
under the third article OF the Fourteenth
AmeRement shall hold Office, except as
the United States District Attorney for the
district in which said person holdsmoflice
shall proceed against said person by olto
loarraAto, aud such writs and Quo teairanfo
hail take precedence over All Others on theI
dockets Of the United States Courts 10 which
they are made returnable.
Mr.. Stewart also moved several addition
al sections. imposing fine and imprisonment
for holding Office in violation OF the Four
Seenth Amendment, and forever disqualify-
ing the offender from holding Office under
the United States Government; giving 20
all persons within the Jurisdiction OF the
United States (ludians, not taxed. except
ed the same right la every State and Terri
tory 70 make and enforce contracts. 90 sue.
give evidence. and 10 the full and equal be-
nefit OF all laws and proceedings for the Sc
curity of person and property as enjoyed
by white persons also, 10 licenses. aud exac-
lions OF every kind, and none others no tax
or charge 10 be imposed by any State upon
any person enligrating thereto.
Mr.. Vickers argued agaii sc the constitu-
tional power OF Congress TO pass the bill.
claiming that the control Of suffrage be-
longed 10 the States aloae.
Mr. Thurman said that State after State
had permitted the colored race TO vote; no
black man had been interlered with. aud II
\ would now be n most evil example 10 pass a
bill bristling with fines and impriscnments
upon officers OF election. and rewards 70 be
given to infOrmers, When no necessity for Il
existed. His own opinion was that the bill
| had purposely been made so obnoxious as ~
defeat itself The first section was obiec-
| tionable, because the Fifteenth Amendment
could not gain additional strength by IL
enactment IN the shape OF statute, and
/ that secured the only object Of the section
/ The second section undertook TO impose du-
| ties upon state officers directly in the face
! of "A decision by the Supreme Court that II
| was not In the power OF Congress 10 Impose
any duty on an officer of State. The third
| section required that an offer 90 perform q
prerequisite TO entitle "A party TO vote shall
| If rendered nugatory by the refusal or neg
| ligence of all election officer, be deemed .
performance In law of the act. Although
it might be proven by hundred witnesses
that the party was committing perjury, hi
| affidavit as 70 offer was 10 be conclusive. u
| an election officer did not receive such vote
| iI was provided that lac should forfeit son
To the person aggrieved, thus holding clen
mducement To the INSCRIPTIONS 10 commi
perjury. giving him $500 Tor IL aud making
| the party la every case "A common iufOrmcr
The bill prohibited any attempt To hinder
DELAY. or Obstruct a voter under penalty o
$500 To tho person aggrieved, and imprison.
ment. with additional fines OF $500 to th'
United States. What was the attempt &,
delay, etc.I IL one man reasoned with an.
other approaching the polls. aud ATTEMPTED
TO persuade him 10 vote for a particular can
ddate, was that an attempt 10 delayY IL so
the offender would have TO pay $500 TO th'
| United Ststes. and go to prison bcsides.-
This would put every man la the power o
every INSCRIPTIONS man who chose 20 sweal
falsely for pay. Had IL come TO thls-thal
the adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment
had made IL necessary To offer "a premium
for perjury, and put every man ia the com
munity at the mercy of n VILLAIN
Mr.. Thurman reviewed the Oblcctionabl,
features of the bill in detail. charaeterizing
IL as bill TO create a race of common la
formers. and pay them iu hard cash Tor per
jury. Referring TO the calling out the laut
aud the naval forces by order OF the Presi'
dent, he said "In England IL was "A punish
able offence to have troops Of the realu
within one mile OF the polls, bat under th
law we were To have United States troop
surrounding every polling booth, 20 SEE
that the judges OF election discharge thei
duty. This was subOrdinating civil TO mil
itary authority. If Senators could pas
such "A bill, aud the people should sustain IL
all lac had to say was that the country wa,
lost to all sense OF freedom.