Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-01-16
CONGRESSIONAL.
szz
SINNERS Clog on. Amnesty Bill.
A Select Committee OF House.
TO Investigate Louisiana Bow.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 15.-Gold-
thwaite, Of Alabama, was sworn in.
A Chinese Petition.
Mr.. Cole presented a petition from Chi
nese dealers on the Pacific coast, for a re-
duction on rice. The Vice President said
the petitions of foreigners should be re-
ceived by the State Department. The
question was taken up, however, and the
petition was referred.
The New Orleans Ku.KIux.
Mr.. Blair offered joint resolution direct
ing the Ku-Klux Committee to inquire into
the affairs of Louisiana.
Mr.. Edwards objected; SO it went over.
salt. W
Mr.. Fenton presented a petition from
Geo. r. Selden, and over 1000 other citi-
zens of Rochester, praying for reduction
of the tariff to revenue basis, and espe-
Cially for the removal of the duties on salt,
coal and pig iron.
Mr.. Edmunds presented 80 petitions
from Vermont for reIioval Of the duty on
salt.
The Cincinnati Southern
Chandler, Committee on Commerce, re-
ported without amendment the bill to pro-
biote thu construction OF the Cincinnati
and Southern railway, being the bill intfo-
duced by Sherman list March, authorizing
Nessrs. Greenwood; Bishop, Hooper, Hell
delbOch and Ferguson as trustees to con-
struct and maintain a railroad between
Cincinnati and Chattanooga, Tenn:
Negroes Better than Poor 1siiIie Tfaaish.
At l o'clock Summers supplementary civil
rights bill came up and he addressed the
Senate.
He said slavery ina disguised and modi-
fed form still existed in so lar is the CGiC-ed
people were denied equal rights, and must
be abolished before the great work would
be complete. He reviewed the hardships
and indignities suffered by colOred people,
and cited the eminent cases of Frederick
Douglass and Lieut.. Gov. Dunn. He de-
MED that equal rights before the law was
question Of social equality. Equality in all
institutions created or recognized by law
was not a question of society. Separate
hotels and conveyance were but artificial
substitutes for edualitS. The substitute is
invariably an inferior article. He cited the
hotels, which were bound to receive all per-
sons without distinction, and there were
decisions in this country sustaining the same
principle which applies with equal force to
public cOnveyanCeS, common schools, thea
ters, etc. He dwelt at length on the sub
ject of public schools, giving Illustrations of
the hardShips imposed on colOred children
by their exclusion. He declared that by the
decree against slavery all semblance Of
apology for the prejudice Of color was re-
moved.
In conclusion, Sumner regretted that the
President in his message favored amnesty,
while he said nothing of the disabilities in
fiCted upon the CGlored people; but took
courage when he thought that the proposed
generosity to rebels could not fail to quicken
the sentiment of justice which he now in
vOked. He disclaimed any sentiment of
personal hostility towards those who assail
ed the Republic. While willing to be gen
tie with former enemies, he could not forget
his duty to his fellow-citizens, whether
white or black, who stood by the Republic.
There were strong reasons why this measure
of Justice to the colOred race should be united
with amnesty, especially since the latter is
pressed, and clearly between the two pre-
eminence should be accorded to that for
equal rights of all.
Vickers followed: He said he would not
undertake to answer Summers speech on
his supplementary civil rights bill, because
it required no argument to demonstrate the
grossS unconstitUtionality of that measure.
He then read a long argument in favor Ofthe
pending general amnesty bill.
AT the conclusion Of Vicker's speech the
Senate went to session, and soon after ad-
jOurned.