Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-16
Forty-Second Congressional Session
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. Is.
SENATE.

SENATE
Mr.. Goldthwate Of Alabama; was sworn in.
The galleries were crowded with colorcd people
to hear Mr.. Sumner on his supplementary civil
rights.
MIR. Chandler, from the committee on COM
nerCe, reported without amendment, a bill to
promote the construction Of the Cincinnati and
Southern railway.
Bills inroduced-By MIR. Wilson-Authoriz,
ing the president to appoint paymasteg general
of the army.
BY Mr.. Scott Allowing an outfit and yearly
allowance OF clothing to the petty officers, sea-
men, etc, of the navy
When MIR. Sumner entered the senate chamber
he was the recipient of prolonged applause from
the occupants OF the gallery, the ladies waving
their handkeIchiefs.
The japanese minister and his secretary took
seats in the diplomatic gallery.
Two of the cOlOred members of the house came
on the floor of the senate with number of
white representatives and Postmaster General
Creswell.
The number of petitions presented in the sen
ate was unusually large including thitty-two
from different towns in the sratc Of Vermont,
asking the abolition of the duties on salt.
A petition from some Chinese in San Fran.
cisco asking for reduction in the duties on rice,
was somewhat objected to- but finally referred
to the committee on finance.
Senator Ramsay reported back the postal
code, which was ordered TO be printed as
amended.
Senator Blair moved an inquiry into affairs
of Louisiana, but its consideration was OBJ
jected to.
O'Clock the amnesty bill came up as unfinished
business.
Mr.. summers supplementary civil rights bill
being the pending amendment it was read, and
Mr. Sumner addressed the senate upon it.
He said: Slavery in disguised and modified
LII D,rigt in f.a,- ,.n1,
pie were denied equal rights, and must be abol
ished before the great work would be COM
plcted. He reviewed the hardships and ndigni-
ties suffered by the COlored people, and cited the
eminent cases of Frederick Douglass and Lieut..
Gov. Dunn. He denied that equal rights be-
fore the law" was question of social equality.
Equality in all institutions created or rccog-
nized by law was not question of society.
Separate hotels, conveyanccS, &c, were but ar
tifcial substitutes for equality.
The substitute is invariably an inferior article
He cited old English laws on the subject of inns
or hotels, which are hound TO receive all per
sons, without distinction, and decisions in this
country, sustaining the same principle, which
applies, with equal force, TO public cOuveyances,
common schools, theatres, &c. He dwelt at
length on the subject of public schools, giving
illustrations of hardShipS imposed on colored
children by their exclusion. He declared thar,
by the 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 amnesty,
while he said nothing of the disabilities inflicted
on coored people, but took courage when he
thought the proposed generosity to rebels could
not fail to quicken sentiment Of justice, which
he now invoked. He disClaimcd any sentiment
of personal hostility toward those who assaulted
the republic; but, while willing 10 be gentle
with former enemies, he could not forget his
duty to bis fellow citizens, while and black, who
stood by the republic. There were strong
reasons why the measure of justice to the col
ored race should be united with amnesty; espcc-
ialy since the latter is pressed; and clearly,
between the two, pre-emnence should be ac
corded to that for the equal rights of all.
Mr.. Vckers said he would not undertake to
answer Mr. Summers speech, because it required
no argument to demonstrate the uncOnSGituuon-
atty of that measure. He then read a long argu.
ment in favor of the pending general amnesty
bill.
The senate held an executive session, and adj
journed.
Under the call of states this morning for bills
for reference, the following were introduced by
New England members, viz:
By Mr.. Butler OF MassachusettS-Bil for the
removal of political disabilities incurred by per-
sons engaged in the late rebellion; also bill for
the removal OF certain causes from state courts
to the United States courts; also bill to repeal
the tenure of office act-al of which were re-
ferred TO the judiciary committee; also bill to
regulate brevets in the army-reterrcd to the
military committee.
Mr.. Barnum offered bills for the improvement
of the harbors of Bridgeport and Westport,
Conn, which were referred to the committee on
commerce.
After the Introduction of large number of
bills in the morning, the house resumed consid-
Grafton tf the bill pending in the morning hour
on Monday last, and which was introduced by
Mr. Hale of Maine, TO admit all ship building
material for American vessels free of duty.
The morning hour expired and the bill again
went over.
On motion of Mr.. Dawes, the house passed
resolution for the appointment of a special
committee of five members 10 investigate affairs
in the state government of Louisiana.
The house rejected another bill for general
amnesty, introduced by Mr.. Dawes, of Massa-
Chuselts-yeas, 1871; nays, 70; less than two
thirds in the affirmative.
Another amnesty bill, being the one passed
by the house last session, was intro uced by
Mr.. Hale, and passed-yeaS, 40; nays, 81.
Mr.. Cox offered a resolution calling for the
unpublished correspondence relating to the ie-
lease of W. G. Halpne, Fenian prisoner.
Adopted.
Adjourned