Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-01-16
A Virginia Congressman ON the
Civil Rights Bill.

representative in Congress, from this dis
trict on the Civil Rights Bill, attracted
much attention. 1t appears that he did
not go into his work without preparation
He applied to the officers of State institu.
lions and received the following answers
which were read by the Clerk
VIRGINIA INSTITUTION FOR THE
EDUCATION OF DEAF 4 DUMB 6 BLIND
Staunton, Virginia, January 2, 1874.
DEAR SIR: I have the honor to &C
knowledge the receipt OF your favor of the
30th ultimo.
In my opinion and that of all the friends
of this State charity, the effect of mixing
the in this institution would be to
break down the institution instantly, ut.
terly and forever.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHARLES D. Mccoy.
Principal.
Hon. John T. Harris, NJ. C.
Washington, D. G.
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUB.
Lie INSTRUCTION.
Richmond, January 8, 1874
My DEAR SIR: The passage of the
civil-rights bill, now before Congress
would Immediately wipe out, or practical.
ly destroy, thu public-school system OF
Virginia. There is no power ON earth
moral or physical, which can mix the
children of the white and colored races in
the same schools. The fine educational
work, now going on in Virginia would be
destroyed as rapidly as the forms of law
could be gone through with. Indeed, the
public-school system would scarcely have
friend left among the intelligent people
OF Virginia. l know these are the senti.
ments of the intelligent republicans of the
State as well as conservatives.
Very respectfully yours,
WIN. H. RUFFNER.
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Hon. John T. Harris,
Washington D. c.
/ next desire, said Mr.. Harris to have
read an extract from the report Of the
superintendent of lunatic asylum at the
city OF Staunton, in my State. We have
lunatic asylums. both for the colored and
the white. AS poor as we have been. and
poor as we are now, we have made pro-
vision for the lunatics in our State of the
colored race. This is the opinion of the
superintendent, DR.. F. T. Stribling, one
of the most distinguished and experienced
in the United States, expressed by him be-
fore the bill providing an asylum for the
colored insane was introduced in the Gen
eral Assembly OF Virginia.
The Clerk read as follows:
The reflection which we have been en-
abled to bestow upon the subject convin-
ces us that it would be mutually prejudic-
ial to white and colored, but especially to
the former were the two classes blended
in one asylum or within the same inclo.
sure. The principal reasons for this opin-
ion are based upon knowledge of the re-
lation which most of the patients in our
State institutions sustained to the colored
persons previous to their mental affection
connected with the consideration that the
prejudices existing when in health have
been aggravated in all probability by the
morbid state of feeling which insanity
mostly engenders.
Mr.. Harris, of Virginia. Now, Mr..
Speaker, know the objection that will
occur to the mind of every gentleman on
the other side OF the House, and of every
one here who differs from me on this ques
ton. They will say this is prejudice-un-
Just prejudice. Admit that it is prejudice
yet the fact exists, and you, as members
OF Congress and legislators, are bound to
respect that prejudice. 1t was born in the
children of the South born in our ances-
tors, and born in your ancestors in Massa-
the colored man was inferi-
or to the white.
Mr.. Ransier. I deny that.
Mr.. Harris, Of Virginia. do not allow
you to interrupt me. Sit down am
talking to gentlemen.
Mr.. D R. Hoar. 1 call the gentleman
from Virginia to order, My point Of or
der is that when a member ceases to- ad-
dress the whole house he ceases to have a
a right to the floor.
The Speaker pro tenapore. The rule re-
qulres a gentleman to address the Chair,
Several Members. That's right.
Mr.. Harris of Virginia, / id not de-
sire to be Interrupted, and the person who
ME was out of order in doing
so. l merely made side remark to him
in reply. The gentleman from Massachu-
setts should begin correcting the evils on
his right and not on his left.
The Speaker pro tempore, The gentle
nan will proceed.
Mr.. Harris of Virginia. Yes sir, thank
you ana VIII 40 so.
Of the debate the N. Y. Tribune
'aid:
Mr.. Harris, unfortunately, spoiled the
effect of Il good argument by an ill-timed
IND lll-tempered display of plantation man
lers.
And of this the Richmond Dispatch
ays;
The northern press, save very few. are
of Mr.. Harris. Of Virginia.
They pronounce him ill-mannered and
and declare that Elliott. the
olored man, made better speech on The
oor OF the House of Representatives than
III. Harris did. These declarations ara
merely the emanations of prejudice and
ate. Mr.. Harris was rudely INTERRUPTED
y a negro, who abruptly denied the prom
ltion that the white race was superior f.
he BIZ OK race--a proposition whit b no whits
IAN IN Congress dared deny. Mr.. Harris
lstly indignant at the information told
he intruder that he would NOT he inter-
1pted, and that his proposition was ad-
resseq TO White members. There was |
othIng improper in this, judging accor-
ing to the incest rules Of civility, Tha
ffenee was salnmi5ted BY tue negro. Mr..
larrls acted as any honorable gentleman
'ould have acted with . just sense of What
'as due to him personally and to his reps
capacity. He has the upapi= !
loua applause of his white felloW-citisens
Virginia for his conduct.
Mahplon Hackworth, a lunatic died in
edford county Va jail last week