Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-05-23
Summers Last Black Dose.

The following is the first section Of the bill
recently introduced by Senator Sumner, enti-
tied AN act supplementary to an act entitled
AN act to protect all citizens of the United
States in their civil rights, and to furnish the
means for their yindication, passed April 9,
1866
Bsir EvtcrEp bv the Senate and House Of Rep
resertatives Of the United States in Congress as
scmbled, That all citizens Of the United States,
without distinction of race. color or previous con-
dtion of servitude, are entitled TO the equal and
impartial enjoyment Of any accommodation, ad-
vantage. facility or privilege furnished by com
mon barriers. whether on land or water; bv inn
Keepers; bv licensed owners, managers or leSSceS
of theatres or other places Of public amusement;
bv trustees commissioners, superintendent, teach
ers or other officers Of common schools and other
public Institutions Ofearning, the same being sup
ported or authorized by law; by trustees OIL
GERS of church organizations, cemetery associations
and benevolent institutions incorporated by ma
tioual or State authOrity and this right shall not
be denied or abridged any pretence of race, CO.
Tor or previous condition Of seryitude.
The other sections relate to penalties and
puuishmeuts for persons who refuse to eat,
drink and sleep with those of African descent.
The following section is the very essence of
usurpation and despotism. It asserts the ab-
solute power of Congress to repeal or annul
any Statclaw
SEcuoN 5. And be it further enacted, That ev-
erv law, statute, ordinance, regulation or custom,
whether national or State. inconsistent with this
act, or making any discrimination against any per-
son on account Of color by the use of the word
white, is hereby repealed and annulled
The following paragraph gives a correct
view of the improbabiEtyof carryingiuto effect
any law so repugnant to the feelings Of the
white race as this would be:
From ne Nc,r York Hera'E
NoRE LAST WoRps.-Mr. Sumner proposes
another law for the special good of the negro,
which he earnestly declares is, so far as he
knows 20 he the last This law is to give the
negro the same rights on steamboats,, railroads
aud such places. as white men have. 1t is in
fact. q recognition Of the failure and INSULT
cheney of tie Civil Rights Lill. That bill gave
the negro the same rights as the white man
everywhere. and therefore. of course, governed
these cases: but IT IS found Ineffective and
hence the present If rt to give again, by spec
ial law, what was fully given before. 10 this
necessity for lucrative legislation we see the
futiiity Of attempts 70 establish by legal means
facts that the people are not willing to accept.
Negroes may travel in the first cabin in Mass
achusetts because the people of that State are
pleased to indulge themselves with that little
vanity Of superior philanthropy; but they
viii not elsewhere despite great many laws
I Of Congress; for courts are in sympathy with
the people. and there are few Judges not sufi-
cieutv acute TO find in the wilderness OF the
law plenty Of valid points against an unpal-
atal,e statute