Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-01-16
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TO THE
Daily Kennebec Journal.
Forty Second Congress Second Session
WAsu1SCToN, ii.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, II.
SENATE.
Mr.. Chandler from committee reported
without amendment bill to promote the con
struction of the Cincinnati & Southern rail
way.
The following bills were introduced: By
Mr.. Wilson authorizing the President to ap.
point a paymaster-general of the army. by
Mr.. Scott allowing an outfit and the yearly
allowance of clothing to petty officers seamen
&C., of the navy.
At one o'clock the amnesty bill came up as
unfinished business. Mr.. Summers civil
rights bill being the pending amendment il
was read and Mr.. Sumner addressed the Sem
ate upon it.
lie said slavery in disguised AID modified
form still existed in SO far as c0lored people
were denied equal rights, and must be abol-
ished before the great work would be COM
plete. He reviewed the hardships and indig-
mites suffered by the colored people, and
cited eminent cases of Frederick Douglass
and Lietenant- Governor Dunn. He denied
that equal rights before the law was a ques-
ton OF social equality. Equality in all in
situations created or recognized by laws was
not question of society. Separate hotels,
cOnveyances, &C., were but artificial substi.
tutes for equality; the substitute is invaria.
bly, an interior article. He cited the old
English law on the subject of inns or hotels,
which were bound to receive all persons with
out distinction, and decisions in this country
sustaining the same principle which applies
with equal force to public conveyances, com.
mon schools, theatres, &c. He dwelt at
length on the subject of public schools, Civ
ing illustrations OF the hardships imposed on
colored children by their exclusion. He de-
clared that by tie decree against slavery all
semblance Of apology for prejudice OF color
was removed.
In conclusion, Mr.. Sumner regretted that
the President in his message favored amnes-
ty, while he said nothing of disabilities in
ficted on colored people, but took courage
when he thought the proposed generosity to
rebels could not fail to quicken the sentiment
of justice which he now invoked. He dis.
claimed any sentiment of personal hostility
toward those who assailed the republic, but
while willing to be gentle with former enc
mics, could not forget his duty to his fellow
citizens, white and black, who stood by the
republic. There were strong reasons why
the measure of justice to the colored race
should be united with amnesty.
Mr.. Vickers said he would not undertake
to answer Mr.. Summers speech on his sup
Elementary civil rights bill, because it re-
4ulTeu no argument 10 demonstrate the gross
unconstitutionality of the measure. He then
read long argument in favor of the pending
general amnesty bill.
The Senate then held an executive session
and adjourned.
House.
The House rejected another bill for gen.
eral amnesty, introduced by Mr.. Dawes of
Massachusetts,, yeas 13l, nays 20, less than
two-thirds in the affirmative
Another amnesty bill being the one passed
by the House last session was introduced by
Mr.. Hale and passed, yeas 10, nays 81 1t
excerpts members of Congress and officers of
the army and navy who joined the rebellion
Mr.. Pierce OF Mississippi from the Commit
tee on Education and Labor reported bill to
establish an educational fund and apply the
proceeds of public lands to the education of
the people. Recommitted.
Mr.. Cox of New York offered resolution
calling for the unpublished correspondence
relating to the release of w. G. Holpine,
Fenian prisoner. Adopted.