The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1872-08-22
TIE STREET CAR QUESTION TN SAvAN-

| LIE NJ VAN io<N lN S'NN<hAN-
NAH.-DEcIsIoN OF THE UNITED STATES
CoMMIss1oNPR-Uni States Con
missioner Wayne, of Savannah, GeorgM,
has been engaged for tho past week in in
vestigating the case Of the United States vs..
". j. Godfrey, and others under indictment
under the enforcement Act, for ejecting
negroes from the street cars in Savannah.
The Commissioner on Saturday rendered a
decision dismissing the. case. The opinion
which is published in the Savannah papers,
is plain, clear, and cogent paper, giving
the law, and the Commissioners construc-
tion of it, and showing the reciprocal duties
of the street car managers and Of the public
under it. The following extract embodies
the gifts of it.
The regulations of this question Of sepa-
rating the races, then, in Savannah, it seems
to the Court, rests entirely with the street
CIR company Fit furnishes cars, giving
like and equal accommod.tion to both races,
it has tho right to designate the ears in
which each shall ride, and to enforce its
decision. IF it only runs one car, then the
races stand upon one equal footing, US to
that car, and both may ride on it.
With regard to the right of contract un-
der the Act of Congress of April 8, 1866,
termed the "Civil Rights Bill" SO strongly
urged by the prosecution, it has not been
shownin evidence, or even alleged, that
any contract existed between the compliant
and the prisoner at the bar. There being
no contract, therefore, between them, there
could be no breach of contract, and consc-
qucntly. thero could be no charge Of
/ ab.idgenient, or iufraction Of right, privilege,
or immunity based upon contract, brought
against the prisoner, in any manner, abridge
the contract made by the complainant with
the company unezcr its regulations.
So far, then, as the Court has been able
to sift the evidence and bring it to the test
of tho law, the complainant had no right,
privileges, or immunity under the Consti-
tuition or laws of Congress to be abridged.
But, Oh the contrary, he stands before this
Court deliberate violator Of the legal reg
ulation of the. Street Car. Company, and,
pro tanto, a disturbcr of the public tran
guilty. Holding, moreover, q position of
trust and emolument under the United
States Government, he should have been the
last to fomcnt disturbance Of public peace;
and comparative stranger to this commuul-
ty besides, shsuld have come among US
bearing the olircz branch Of Peace,r and not,
the fire brand of social diseord. It was by
such men as himself that the riots Of the
evening Of the Goth Of July, in this city,
were originated. And justice to the truth
Of the inquest compels the Court to- add,
though with regret, that the management
of the Road, by its timid course, must take
its share of tic responsibility for them.
In conclusion, it is matter of fgratifca-
ton to the Court to observe that none of our
respectable colorcd citizens appear to have
been mixed up i'll the scenes that married
the fair fame of our peaceful city on the
2sth and Goth of July last, but that those
disgraccful acts appeared to have been
conceived, promoted and executed by bad
men from other parts of the country, back
ed, however, it is true, unfortunately, by q
few native rufians; for there are rufians
among the colOred people as will as among
the whites, no race or color being exempt
from tho curse ofrufianism.
During her long history in connection
with slavery, which was forced upon her,
against her solemn protest, by her trustees
in England, when colony, Savannah has
been noted among the cities of the South
for the kindly relations, condolences and
friendships that existed between masters
and slaves. Slavery, happily, no longer cx-
lists; and as freedmen all, there is no reason
why the same kindly relations, condolences
and friendships should not continue. Hav-
ing, both white and colorcd, common heri-
tage in the interests, prosperity and ad-
vanccmcnt Of Savannah, there is no cause
why both races should not join hands in
future struggles for our general success and
happiness. d.
Tllc charge against the prisoner not hav-
ING been sustained the Marshal will dis
charge him from his custody
AN ORIGINAL FISH SroRY.-Thorc is
4 colOrcl sEcutic living near Pamela Miss,